Coast Guard closes ports of Baltimore, Philadelphia

The following are two press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:

(PHILADELPHIA) — The captain of the port for Philadelphia set hurricane readiness condition modified Zulu for all commercial waterways effective 6 a.m. Monday in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.

Gale force winds are expected within 12 hours.

Vessel must be securely moored or anchored and prepared for hurricane conditions.

Liquid cargo transfer operations will be suspended.

Mariners are also advised drawbridges will remain closed when wind speeds are 34 knots or greater or once evacuations begin. Because of the uncertainty of weather movements and related bridge closures, mariners are urged to seek passage through drawbridges well in advance of the arrival of gale force winds.

Coast Guard small boat stations will secure operations as winds increase in the area. As a result, there will be minimal search and rescue capabilities until the storm passes out of the area. The Coast Guard once again urges boaters to stay off the water and off the beaches.

"The Coast Guard has to move vessels to safe locations to be ready to conduct search and rescue missions after the storm’s passing.” said Capt. Kathy Moore, commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia. “As a result, our ability to assist mariners in trouble at the height of the storm is significantly diminished.”

The Coast Guard requests the public listen to weather information available from other sources and not call the Coast Guard for weather information.  For additional information on the storm, visit the National Hurricane Center Web site at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/. Boaters can monitor its progress on NOAA weather radio.

Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF-FM radio, and mariners can view the latest port updates on the Coast Guard’s homeport site http://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/portDirectory.do?tabId=1&cotpId=40.

Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website at http://www.ready.gov/ to stay informed and for tips on how to prepare and plan for severe weather.

 

(BALTIMORE) — The Captain of the Port of Baltimore set port condition Yankee for all commercial waterways in the upper Chesapeake Bay, Saturday evening, in preparation for the anticipated weather impact of Hurricane Sandy.

This port condition is a change from the previous condition of X-ray.

A safety zone for the upper Chesapeake Bay from Smith Island to the C&D Canal has been established. The Port of Baltimore is closed to all inbound traffic. No vessel may enter this safety zone without the permission from the Captain of the Port. All cargo and bunker handling operations shall cease upon the setting of port condition Zulu.

1. Commercial vessels and barges more than 500 gross tons and all tank barges more than 200 gross tons departing the port must receive permission from the Captain of the Port.

2. All commercial vessels and barges that have received permission from the Captain of the Port to remain in port must be at their site in accordance with their application upon the setting of port condition Zulu.

3. Vessels bound for this port shall seek an alternative destination.

Mariners are also advised that drawbridges will remain closed when wind speeds are 34 knots or greater. Due to the uncertainty of weather movements and related bridge closures, mariners are urged to seek passage through drawbridges well in advance of the arrival of gale force winds.

The Coast Guard urges boaters to stay off the water. The Coast Guard’s search and rescue capabilities are degraded as storm conditions strengthen. This means that aid from the Coast Guard could be delayed. Boaters are urged to heed the weather watches, warnings and small craft advisories. People should not go out on their boats at this time and should wait at least 72-96 hours after a hurricane has passed through an area before attempting to get underway. 

For updates on port conditions in Baltimore, visit the Coast Guard's Homeport site.

For more information on Irene, visit the National Hurricane Center Web site.

Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's site to stay informed and for tips to prepare and plan.

By Professional Mariner Staff