MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN 03-17 (SET PORT CONDITION WHISKEY)

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/20/2017 11:30 AM EDT

united states coast guard

Marine Safety Information Bulletin

03-17

June 20, 2017

SET PORT CONDITION WHISKEY

 

Effective at  10:30 AM CDT, __20 June 2017___ the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Port Arthur has set Port Condition WHISKEY for the port(s) of Beaumont, TX, Port Arthur, TX, Orange, TX and Lake Charles, LA including all tributaries and connecting waterways. The effects from Potential Tropical Cyclone Three are expected to make landfall along the coast of southeast Texas and western Louisiana within 72 hours.   The following restrictions apply:

 

  1. All cargo transfer operations must be completed before sustained winds reach gale force (34 kts / 39 mph).  
  2. All commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons and all seagoing tugs and barges intending to remain in port must immediately notify the Captain of the Port of their intentions and submit a Remaining In Port Checklist to the Captain of the Port.
  3. Vessels bound for the affected ports which are unable to depart prior to the closing of the port are advised to seek an alternate destination.

 

A guide entitled “Hurricane Information for the Maritime Industry” is available to assist in planning for hurricane season. Remaining In Port Checklists are available from the Vessel Traffic Service website at http://www.uscg.mil/d8/vtsportarthur, HOMEPORT (http://homeport.uscg.mil) or by calling the VTS Watch Supervisor at (409) 719-5070. Completed forms may be faxed to the VTS at (409) 719-5090 or e-mailed to vtspa_sup@msoportarthur.uscg.mil.

 

To ensure the safety of your vessel and crew, now is the time to plan. Vessels are advised to seek safe harbor in the northern reaches of the waterway. Survey places to moor or anchor to safely ride out a tropical storm or hurricane, and make available the necessary heavy weather mooring gear. Vessels shall not moor in locations that impede the safe transit of vessels in the channel. By regulation, vessels intending to moor at 33 CFR 105 facilities must have an agreed upon security arrangement with the facility prior to the vessels mooring.

 

This notice will be posted on the HOMEPORT website http://homeport.uscg.mil. If you have any questions, please call MSU Port Arthur at (409) 723-6500.

 

 

J. M. Twomey

Captain, U. S. Coast Guard

Captain of the Port