Hurricane condition "WHISKEY" set at Fernandina and Jacksonville Ports

Submitted by

OHPA Attorney

October 4, 2016 2:37 p.m.

Editor's Note:  What follows is a portion of a safety bulletin alerting  various parties in the shipping community to the  possible impact of Hurricane Matthew in our area. 

"The Captain of the Port Jacksonville has issued the following Marine Safety Information Bulletin:

Effective 10:00 a.m., October 4, 2016, Hurricane Condition WHISKEY was set in the ports of Fernandina and Jacksonville. All maritime interests are directed to complete preparations to implement the Port Heavy Weather Plan

for Northeast and Eastern Central Florida.

Based on the latest National Hurricane Center forecast, Hurricane Matthew's

closest approach to northeast Florida and southeast Georgia will likely be

Friday and Friday night. Tropical Storm Conditions are possible Thursday

evening through Saturday. Hurricane Matthew will bring significant marine

and coastal concerns to Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

The ports of Jacksonville and Fernandina remain open with no restrictions.

It is important that you monitor the storm development as well as prepare

for potential changes in Port Hurricane Conditions. Please review heavy

weather plans and make any preparations necessary to safeguard your vessels

and/or facilities as the Captain of the Port continues to closely monitor

the storm.

Maritime interests are reminded that there are no "safe havens" identified

within the ports of Jacksonville, Fernandina, and Canaveral for a vessel to

safely survive tropical storm force winds, or storm surges without creating

a threat to the safety of the port and public welfare. The safest condition

for the port and during the arrival of a hurricane is when the inventory of

vessels is at a minimum. All ships should coordinate and plan with regards

to their evasion plan. Master should take early and decisive action to

ensure the safety of their vessels and crews.

Due to the unique track of Hurricane Mathew, the Captain of the Port

anticipates going directly to Hurricane Condition YANKEE at 6:00 p.m.,

October 4, 2016.

Vessels desiring to remain in port during the Hurricane

must request and receive permission. The request must be submitted in

writing and explain the reasons why the vessel is submitting the request.

All requests 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.

MST1 Tim Fosdick

USCG, Sector Jacksonville

Waterways Management

(904) 714-7500 x7623

timothy.p.fosdick@uscg.mil