Coast Guard sets Port Condition Yankee at Mid-Atlantic ports

united states coast guard

News Release  

Sept. 11, 2018
U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Florence Response
Contact: Hurricane Response Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 434-7712
USCGHurricaneFlorence@gmail.com
5th District online newsroom

Coast Guard sets Port Condition Yankee at Mid-Atlantic ports

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The Captain of the Port for Wilmington and Morehead City, North Carolina, set Port Condition Yankee at 9 p.m., Tuesday, indicating that sustained gale-force winds are possible within 24 hours.

The Port of Hampton Roads COTP is scheduled to set Yankee just after midnight, at 12:01 a.m. The COTP of Baltimore remains at Port Condition Whiskey.

In Port Condition Yankee, the affected ports are closed to inbound vessel traffic greater than 500 gross tons. All vessels greater than 500 gross tons without permission to remain in port should have departed or should be prepared to depart prior to the setting of Port Condition Zulu.

Zulu is set approximately 12 hours in advance of anticipated gale-force winds, which would close the port and all port operations would be suspended.

The Coast Guard strongly cautions the maritime community to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions as Florence approaches.

Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Maritime and port facilities are reminded to review and update their heavy weather response plans and make any additional preparations needed to adequately prepare in case of a potential impact to the area.

The Coast Guard is warning the public of these important safety messages:

Stay off the water.  The Coast Guard’s search and rescue capabilities degrade as storm conditions strengthen.  This means help could be delayed. Boaters should heed weather watches, warnings, and small craft advisories.

Evacuate as necessary.  If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public should evacuate without delay.  Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate or rescue those in danger during the storm.

Secure belongings.  Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or to sustaining damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding.  Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to remove EPIRBs and to secure life rings, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not properly secured, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources be diverted to ensure people are not in distress.

Stay clear of beaches. Wave heights and currents typically increase before a storm makes landfall. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by hurricanes.  Swimmers should stay clear of beaches until local lifeguards and law enforcement officials say the water is safe.

Be prepared. Area residents should be prepared by developing a family plan, creating a disaster supply kit, having a place to go, securing their home and having a plan for pets. Information can be found at the National Hurricane Center’s webpage.

Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of the storm through local television, radio and Internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF radio channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF radio channel 16.

Don't rely on social media. People in distress should use 911 to request assistance whenever possible. Social media should not be used to report life-threatening distress due to limited resources to monitor the dozens of social media platforms during a hurricane or large-scale rescue event.

For information on Hurricane Florence's progress and hurricane preparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center's website.

Visit the Coast Guard’s Homeport for current port conditions at Homeport.USCG.mil.

-USCG-