SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard set Port Condition YANKEE at 4p.m. Friday for all the ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico due to incoming Tropical Storm Bertha.
During Port Condition YANKEE (gale force winds are anticipated to make landfall within 24 hours) the ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are open to outbound vessel traffic only, while commercial inbound vessels are restricted from entering the port.
Vessels greater than 500 gross tons currently in port are to make preparations to get underway and exit the port at this time, while all other vessels authorized to remain in port are to take appropriate precautionary measures to secure their vessels.
During Port Condition YANKEE, facilities should commence the termination of cargo handling operations.
During Port Condition ZULU port operations will officially be suspended and the ports will be closed to all inbound and outbound vessel traffic until otherwise directed by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.
The Coast Guard anticipates setting Port Condition ZULU in the U.S. Virgin Islands at 12 a.m. Saturday for the ports in the islands of Saint Croix, Saint Thomas and Saint John.
The Coast Guard anticipates setting Port Condition ZULU at 12 a.m. Saturday for the eastern and southern ports of Puerto Rico to include the ports of Yabucoa, Guayama, Salinas, Ponce, Guayanilla, Guanica, Tallaboa and Mayaguez. All other ports in Puerto Rico will remain at Port Condition YANKEE until otherwise directed by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.
Following the passing of Tropical Storm Bertha through the area Coast Guard teams will conduct port assessments prior to reopening any ports closed under Port Condition ZULU and returning to normal port operations.
Mariners, owners and operators of recreational vessels should follow small craft advisories from the National Weather Service and take the necessary measures to safeguard the safety of their vessels, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
Pleasure craft operators are advised to seek safe harbor. Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats to inland marinas, where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or sustaining damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in water are reminded to secure life rings, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not secured properly, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources to be diverted from a real emergency.
