Coast Guard tells ports to prepare for Hanna

The U.S. Coast Guard is warning ports in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina of possible high winds from Tropical Storm Hanna.

The captains of the port for Port Canaveral, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Fort Pierce, Fla.; and Savannah and Brunswick, Ga., are warning of threatening winds in excess of 39 mph from Tropical Storm Hanna.

Tuesday evening, the Coast Guard increased port conditions for the Port of Palm Beach and Fort Pierce to -Ray due to the expectation that gale force winds generated by Tropical Storm Hanna would arrive within 48 hours. Port Everglades and other ports to the north remained in condition hiskey, meaning that the storm could arrive in 72 hours until further notice.

The Coast Guard said waterfront facilities should be removing potential flying debris, hazardous materials and pollutants from dockside areas. All oceangoing commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons must prepare to depart the port and shall depart immediately upon setting port condition ankee, which is anticipated at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Palm Beach and Ft. Pierce.

Vessels unable to depart the port must contact the Captain of the Port to request and receive permission to remain in port. Inbound vessels that will be unable to depart the port upon the setting of port condition Yankee are advised to seek an alternate destination. 

Source: American Shipper