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Coast Guard Sets Port Condition YANKEE in Southern, Western Ports in Puerto Rico Ahead of Tropical Storm Dorian

By  //  August 27, 2019

All other ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico remain in Port Condition X-Ray

SPACE COAST DAILY TROPICAL STORM 5 P.M. UPDATE: Space Coast Daily’s Chris Bonanno discusses Tropical Storm Dorian and showers and thunderstorms impacting Brevard. The current cone of probable path shows Dorian hitting Florida in the Space or Treasure coast area as a tropical storm at about 8 a.m Sunday morning.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL FORECAST

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – Effective 11 p.m. tonight, the Coast Guard captain of the port (COTP) will set Port Condition YANKEE for all ports and regulated facilities in Arecibo, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Mayagüez, Ponce, Salinas y Tallaboa, Puerto Rico due to Tropical Storm Dorian’s approach to the area.

All other ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico remain in Port Condition X-Ray. Under Port Condition X-Ray port operations and maritime traffic may continue until further notice.

During Port Condition YANKEE, sustained winds between 39 and 54 mph are possible within 24 hours.

All ocean-going commercial vessels and ocean-going barges greater than 500 gross tons should leave the port once Port Condition YANKEE is in effect, unless authorization has been given from the COTP to remain in port.

If and when Port Condition ZULU is set in any given port, meaning sustained gale force winds are expected within 12 hours, the port will be closed to all commercial inbound and outbound vessel traffic until the storm has cleared the area and Coast Guard completes the necessary port assessments.

Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Port facilities are advised to review their heavy weather plans and take all necessary precautions to adequately prepare for the expected conditions.

TROPICAL STORM UPDATE: NHC Has Dorian Tracking as Tropical Storm Predicted to Hit East Coast of Florida Sunday at 8 a.mRelated Story:
TROPICAL STORM UPDATE: NHC Has Dorian Tracking as Tropical Storm Predicted to Hit East Coast of Florida Sunday at 8 a.m
Coast Guard Station San Juan personnel pull their Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat–Medium out of the water as part of storm avoidance preparations at Coast Guard Base San Juan Aug. 27, 2019, in anticipation to Tropical Storm Dorian’s approach to Puerto Rico. Coast Guard crews protect their vessels, equipment and infrastructure during a tropical storm or hurricane, so that they can be readily available to support Coast Guard missions, such as maritime search and rescue and port reconstitution efforts, once a major storm has cleared the area. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Ricardo Castrodad)

The Coast Guard is advising 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.

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.

Trailer-able 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 tropical storms or 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.

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