Whiskey Tropical Storm Winds Expected Within 72 Hours. All Vessels Should Make Preparations

WHISKEY – TROPICAL STORM WINDS EXPECTED WITHIN 72 HOURS. ALL VESSELS SHOULD MAKE PREPARATIONS.

X-RAY – TROPICAL STORM WINDS EXPECTED WITHIN 48 HOURS. The ports remain open to all commercial traffic. Oceangoing vessels greater than 500 gross tons, including oceangoing tugs and barges greater than 500 gross tons, already in port or arriving during Hurricane Port Condition X-RAY shall continue with preparations and safely depart the port before the setting of Hurricane Port.

Vessels desiring to remain in port during the tropical cyclone must request and receive permission. Vessels in port must submit a request by prior to the USCG setting condition YANKEE. The request must be submitted in writing and explain the reasons why the vessel is submitting the request. In addition, the request must also include a completed “Remaining in Port Checklist” that will describe the mooring arrangements and vessel specifics. This checklist must be signed by the vessel’s master and a representative of the facility where the vessel intends to moor. If the request is approved additional measures may be required to ensure the safety of the port and the vessel. These measures may include, but are not limited to, the addition of extra mooring lines or fenders and the removal of cargo from the vessel.

YANKEE – TROPICAL STORM WINDS EXPECTED WITHIN 24 HOURS. PORT IS CLOSED TO INCOMING VESSELS, VESSELS IN PORT MUST PREPARE TO DEPART WITHIN 12 HOURS.

Upon the setting of Condition YANKEE, no vessel may enter the port without the permission of the COTP. All Masters of vessels over 500 gross tons (GT), including tugs and barges, should be making preparations to depart the port at least four hours prior to the predicted onset of gale force winds.

All vessels that intend to remain in port must have an approved Remain In Port Request. If you have submitted a Remain In Port Request to the COTP and have not received approval, you should contact

ZULU – TROPICAL STORM WINDS EXPECTED WITHIN 12 HOURS – PORTS ARE CLOSED.

All Masters of vessels over 500 gross tons (GT), including tugs and barges, who do not have an approved Remain In Port Request and intend to depart shall do so within 6 hours, considering the speed and seakeeping abilities of their vessel, the Master must determine if this is sufficient time to ensure the safety of the vessel and its crew. If it is not, the Master shall advance the vessel’s departure time accordingly.