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12 Jul 2019 / New Orleans, United States

Port Status Yankee in preparation for predicted severe weather

At 1500 local time, 11 July, 2019, predicted severe weather rapidly progressing, the Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector New Orleans set Port Condition Yankee in accordance with the Maritime Hurricane Contingency Port Plan (MHCPP)…

…All vessels east of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) on the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to mile marker 20 east of Harvey Lock, and the Harvey Canal from the Lapalco Bridge south to the confluence of the Harvey and Algiers Canals, and the Algiers Canal from the Algiers Lock south to the confluence of the Harvey and Algiers Canal shall make immediate preparations to evacuate the RNA if you do not have an accepted annual hurricane operations plan.

If unable to comply, vessels shall contact the Waterways Management Division at [email protected] with the mitigating efforts they will take while remaining within the RNA…

…At this time, the Coast Guard does not intend to implement the safety zone for river evacuation below MM 73. However, these requirements will be discussed on our daily Port Coordination Team conference calls and reassessed as needed.

All vessels entering and departing the COTP Zone New Orleans are reminded to update their Notice of Arrival with any changes to their arrival or departure information (33 CFR 160.208, 33 CFR 160.212). The COTP will make notifications as soon as waterway and bridge closures become apparent...

…All vessels and facilities operating on the Lower Mississippi River are strongly urged to implement these measures:
- Secure missile hazards and clear nonessential equipment and loose gear.
- Secure/remove hazardous materials or cargos to a safe location, especially drums.
- Oil transfer terminals not engaged in transfer operations should drain all loading arms and hoses of product, blank off hoses, and empty/clean small discharge containment.
- Mooring lines doubled up with due consideration given to the effects of predicted storm surge.
- If moored, outboard anchor rigged at a short stay.
- Ensure sufficient number of officers and crew onboard to tend mooring lines, and/or get underway.
- Vessel ballasted to ensure maximum safety.
- All side ports, hatches, portholes, and other openings are closed and secured.
- All firefighting equipment is ready for immediate use.
- A continuous radio watch maintained on Channel 16 and 67 VHF-FM.
- If at anchorage, at least two anchors set, if equipped with two anchors.
- If at anchorage, vessels should remain ready to get underway within 15 minutes.
- Spare mooring lines and/or wires should be readily available.
- Facility storage tanks should be pressed up or empty (it is preferred to have empty and/or pressed up tanks vice multiple tanks partially full).
- Styrene and other similar product-producing facilities should take additional precautionary measure.

The COTP New Orleans may quickly set Port Condition Zulu and further conditions as the situation develops. The COTP anticipates setting Port Condition Zulu on Friday, 12 July, 2019…

(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at [email protected])

Source: Extracts from U.S. Coast Guard, Sector New Orleans, Marine Safety Information Bulletin Weather Advisory issued at 15:00 hours local time on 11 July 2019

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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