11-Sep-2018
PROHIBITION ON VESSELS TRANSITING, ANCHORING, OR REMAINING IN AREA OFF MARINA BARRAGE
Singapore
HURRICANE FLORENCE TO MAKE LANDFALL LATER THIS WEEK
United States East Coast
MODIFIED PORT CONDITION WHISKEY SET AHEAD OF HURRICANE FLORENCE
Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware, United States
HURRICANE PROTECTION PLAN ACTIVATED
North Carolina ports, United States
HURRICANE WATCH IN EFFECT FOR FLORENCE
South Carolina, North Carolina & Virginia, United States
PORT READINESS CONDITION X-RAY SET
Savannah, United States
Prohibition on vessels transiting, anchoring, or remaining in area off Marina Barrage
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Singapore
The Port Master hereby prohibits all vessels from transiting, anchoring or remaining in the demarcated area off Marina Barrage. This prohibition shall take effect on Sunday, 16 September 2018 from 1800 hrs to 2300 hrs.
The demarcated area is bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 01 deg. 17.786’N / 103 deg. 54.095’E
2) 01 deg. 17.450’N / 103 deg. 54.390’E
3) 01 deg. 15.960’N / 103 deg. 52.570’E
4) 01 deg. 16.447’N / 103 deg. 52.084’E
Vessels currently anchored within the demarcated area are required to relocate to an alternate anchorage as directed by the Port Master, by 16 September 2018, 0001 hrs.
(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.087 of 2018 dated 10 September 2018
Hurricane Florence to make landfall later this week
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, United States East Coast
The U.S. East Coast is preparing for the landfall of a category 4 hurricane.
Hurricane Florence, currently located in the Atlantic Ocean near 2454N/05854W, has its course set on the U.S. East coast. Landfall is expected on late 13th or early 14th (UTC time) somewhere between Savannah and Cape Hatteras as a Category 4 hurricane.
There is risk of life-threatening impacts from hurricane Florence in the form of storm surges at the coasts, heavy rainfall and damaging hurricane force winds. Hence there is also risk of multiple port closures in the area with delays for voyages passing close to the coast through the 13th.
(For regular global weather routing alerts, contact GAC SMHI Weather Solutions at smhi@gac.com)
Source: Notice from the MetOps Team at GAC SMHI Weatherrouting dated 11 September 2018
Modified Port Condition Whiskey set ahead of Hurricane Florence
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware, United States
The Captain of the Port (COTP), Delaware Bay, has set a modified Port Condition WHISKEY due to the potential for Hurricane Florence to impact the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware area in the next 72 hours.
A thorough explanation of port conditions can be found under the local contingency plans tab on Homeport at: https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/delaware-bay.
The COTP has determined the Ports of Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington and surrounding areas will likely experience heavy rains, tropical storm force winds, increased seas, surf, and tidal surge.
Members of the port community should take adequate precautions and review the Severe Weather Contingency Plan. In preparation for high winds, the following provisions of Port Condition WHISKEY are implemented:
Vessels must have effective mooring and anchorage arrangements for anticipated high wind; vessel agents are asked to notify vessel masters of this requirement.
Facilities must minimize debris that could become missile hazards.
Lightering, bunkering, and cargo operations must cease when sustained winds reach 40 mph.
Vessels and facilities shall conduct a pre-storm self assessment and report any potential hazards or concerns to the Sector Delaware Bay Command Center at (215) 271-4807.
In the event that the COTP imposes further restrictions, they will be broadcasted on VHF-FM Channel 16. Additionally, all notifications will be forwarded to the Maritime Exchange and will be available as requested. The U.S. Coast Guard will provide the earliest possible advance notification before changing the port condition.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Delaware Bay, Marine Safety Information Bulletin No.32-18 dated 10 September 2018
Hurricane Protection Plan activated
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, North Carolina ports, United States
The North Carolina State Ports Authority continues to monitor Hurricane Florence. The Port of Wilmington and the Port of Morehead City are currently at Condition Whiskey. The status at both Ports will be upgraded to Condition X-Ray at 0600 Tuesday [11 September], Condition Yankee at 0600 Wednesday [12 September], and Condition Zulu at 1800 Wednesday [13 September].
NC State Ports Authority has activated its Hurricane Preparation Plan and is taking all necessary steps to protect cargo, facilities and equipment. Based on anticipated winds and the potential for heavy rains and storm surge, empty container stacks are being block stowed, loaded containers are being relocated within the Port, generator power is being prepared for refrigerated cargo and warehouses and transit sheds are being secured…
The Port of Wilmington’s General Cargo gate and The Port of Morehead City’s gate continues to operate under normal hours.
Based on the latest information from USCG stakeholder calls, NCSPA anticipates Port closures at some point on Wednesday, September 12. Once a final determination is made, this will be communicated.
Any questions or concerns please contact Customer Service via email at customerservice@ncports.com or call 1-800-334-0682 with any issues or concerns.
We also encourage you to sign up for alerts on our website, www.ncports.com, for the latest updates to NC Ports’ operating status.
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: North Carolina State Ports Authority Hurricane Florence Notice – Update #2, 10 September 2018
Hurricane Watch in effect for Florence
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, South Carolina, North Carolina & Virginia, United States
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Edisto Beach South Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia border, and Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. Interests elsewhere in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states should monitor the progress of Florence. Additional watches may be required later today…
…At 800am AST (1200 UTC), the center of the eye of Hurricane Florence was located near latitude 26.4 North, longitude 64.6 West. Florence is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h).
A west-northwestward to northwestward motion with a slight increase in forward speed are expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas through Wednesday, and approach the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina on Thursday.
Reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts. However, Florence is still a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Re-strengthening is forecast to occur during the next day or so, and Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday night.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km)…
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water has the potential to reach the following heights above ground if peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
Edisto Beach to Murrells Inlet – 2-4 ft
Murrells Inlet to Cape Fear – 4-6 ft
Cape Fear to Cape Lookout including The Neuse and Pamlico River – 6-12 ft
Cape Lookout to Ocracoke Inlet – 5-8 ft
Ocracoke Inlet to North Carolina/Virginia Border – 3-5 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.
RAINFALL: Florence is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 15-20 inches with isolated maxima to 30 inches near Florence’s track over portions of North Carolina, Virginia, and northern South Carolina through Saturday. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flash flooding.
WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area by late Thursday or Thursday night, with tropical storm conditions possible by Thursday morning.
SURF: Swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda and portions of the U.S. East Coast. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: National Hurricane Center, Miami FL, Hurricane Florence Intermediate Advisory No.48A issued at 800am AST on Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Port Readiness Condition X-RAY set
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Savannah, United States
At 0800 EST, Port Readiness Condition X-RAY was set for the Port of Savannah due to the potential impact from HURRICANE FLORENCE.
Brunswick will remain at Port Readiness Condition WHISKEY until further notice.
As conditions may changes rapidly, you are encouraged to frequently check MSU Savannah’s Homeport website for the most up-to-date information. The website can be found at www.homepage.uscg.mil. Under the “Port Directory” menu, select “Savannah”.
(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: Extract from U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah Maritime Safety and Security Bulletin 35-18 dated September 11, 2018
