Port Condition WHISKEY (72 hour alert): Tropical Depression Nine

30 Aug 2016 / Tampa, St. Petersburg & Manatee, FL, USA

Due to the possibility of gale force winds (35-43 MPH) entering the Tampa Bay area within 72 hours, the Captain of the Port (COTP) is ordering Port Condition WHISKEY for the ports of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Manatee. The COTP will continue to evaluate weather predictions for the region.

Prohibited Operations: None.

Authorized Operations: All

Current Actions: Waterfront facilities should be removing potential flying debris, hazardous materials and oil pollution hazards from dockside area. Container stacking plans should be implemented. Container terminal operators shall reduce general cargo container stack heights to no more than two high for containers containing hazardous materials and no more than four high for all other container, or propose alternate securing arrangement to the COTP. The COTP may require additional precautions to ensure the safety of the ports and waterways.

Future Actions: Affected ports in the St. Petersburg Captain of the Port Zone should be watching this storm closely. Should higher port conditions be required, the following additional future requirements may be implemented.

  • In preparation for the approaching heavy weather, all oceangoing commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons are required to submit a contingency plan for heavy weather to Sector St. Petersburg via email at [email protected] to request and receive permission to remain in port. Proof of facility owner/operator approval is required.
  • Vessels bound for any of these ports, which would be unable to depart if weather conditions worsen, are advised to seek an alternate destination as these ports may be closed to inbound traffic.
  • Drawbridges may be locked down as early as eight hours to the anticipated arrival of sustained gale force winds or when an evacuation is in progress.

(For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at [email protected])

Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector St Petersburg, Port Community Information Bulletin # 22-16 dated 29 August 2016

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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