MSIB 05-18 (HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS JUNE 1ST)

Marine Safety Information Bulletin
05-18
May 29, 2018

HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS JUNE 1st

The 2018 hurricane season will officially start on June 1, 2018.   All facilities, vessels, service companies, and organizations in the Port Arthur Captain of the Port Zone should review and update their severe weather plans in preparation for the hurricane season. 

To assist in updating your plans, the Port Arthur Captain of the Port is making available “Severe Weather Planning Information for Maritime Stakeholders” that provides information about the Coast  Guard’s plans, intentions and expectations should a storm approach this area.  This document, and the Remaining-In-Port Checklists, are available on HOMEPORT at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/port-arthur-and-lake-charles and the VTS Port Arthur website at https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/vtsportarthur/

Some important points to consider:

1. Storm avoidance is always the preferred action for vessels.  All vessels capable of sailing away from an approaching storm should do so. 

2. Vessels 500 gross tons and greater expecting to remain in port during a severe weather event must provide a “Remaining In Port Checklist” to the Captain of the Port for approval at least 72-hours prior to arrival of gale force winds.  For vessels intending to remain in port:

   a. Vessel masters will be expected to explain why remaining in port is the safest or necessary option.

   b. Vessels will be expected to provide a mooring plan that adequately addresses the impacts of expected hurricane force winds and storm surge.

3. Vessels 500 gross tons and greater in, or entering, layup status should notify MSU Port Arthur or MSU Lake Charles of their status and provide necessary information that assures that preparations for hurricane season are adequate.

4. Commercial boat and barge tows should depart the area or move as far inland as possible on our rivers and bayous to establish secure moorings. While fleeting areas may be acceptable as a secure mooring location, fleeting area managers should be contacted to verify space availability and appropriateness of the fleeting area based on the storm track and intensity"

5. Commercial fishing vessels that cannot depart the area should find shelter as far north on our rivers and bayous as possible to increase their chances of surviving a severe weather event. 

   a. On the Sabine-Neches Waterway, commercial fishing vessels will not be permitted to remain south of the Neches River Intersection. 
 
   b. On the Calcasieu Waterway, commercial fishing vessels will not be permitted to remain south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW). The Port of Lake Charles may offer space for smaller vessels seeking safe moorage. Mariners should contact the Port of Lake Charles for amplifying information.

   c. Facilities along deep-draft channels do not provide adequate safe moorage, especially when storm surge is expected.  Fishing vessels shall plan accordingly.

6. Facilities with storage tanks should take preventative action to secure their tanks by any appropriate means, including pressing up, flooding, or cutting holes. Containment tanks and berms should be promptly pumped out to prevent spills as a result of heavy rain.

Port Coordination Team (PCT) conference calls, scheduled and hosted by the U. S. Coast Guard and includes representatives from facilities, boat operators, pilots, and other federal, state and local agencies, will be activated prior to a storm’s arrival and will typically hold daily conference calls before, during and after a storm event.  There are separate PCT calls for the Sabine-Neches Waterway (MSU Port Arthur) and the Calcasieu Waterway (MSU Lake Charles).

This notice will be posted on the HOMEPORT website at http://homeport.uscg.mil and the VTS Port Arthur website at https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/vtsportarthur/.  If you have questions, please contact MSU Port Arthur at (409) 723-6500 or MSU Lake Charles at (337) 912-0073.
 

 

J. M. TWOMEY
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port