2019 Hurricane Season

ebroadcast_header_071317Seagirt Terminal Aerial

May 31, 2019

Dear Subscriber,

 

Hurricane season begins June 1 and will end November 30.  NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting that a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year.   It is predicted that between 9 to 15 named tropical storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3,4, or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). The 30-year average for the Atlantic Basin is 12 named storms of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. 

Please review and, if necessary, update your Hurricane Preparedness Plans.  The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration’s Marine Terminals Hurricane Preparedness Plan can be found on its website: https://mpa.maryland.gov/Documents/HurricanePreparednessPlanMarineTerminals2019.pdf

The MPA Marine Terminal Hurricane Preparedness Plan provides guidance to the MPA and port users on activities that should be implemented in preparation for a significant weather event.  It is essential that the all port users and tenants have their own plans, ones that are appropriate for their businesses.

For vessel owners and/or operators, please note Section II.B.5, Safe Refuge, of the MPA Schedule 20 A.  By requesting permission to remain at an MPA terminal through the submission of the Commercial Vessel Authorization Checklist/Survey, the owner/operator of the vessel is acknowledging that it is subject to the MPA Schedule 20 A, Section II.B.5, Safety Refuge, and confirms the terms by which the vessel will be allowed to remain at an MPA terminal.

Any questions, please contact the Safety, Environment, & Risk Management Department, (410) 633-1148.