U.S. Coast Guard Declares Condition ‘Whiskey’ for Port Canaveral Due to Hurricane Dorian Threat

HURRICANE DORIAN COVERAGE

SPACE COAST DAILY TV HURRICANE UPDATE: Brevard County Emergency Management public information officer Don Walker discusses preparedness for Hurricane Storm Dorian. 

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Effective 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) set port condition Whiskey for Port Canaveral terminals and facilities due to the expectation of sustained gale force winds generated by Hurricane Dorian that may arrive within 72 hours.

These ports and facilities are currently open to all commercial traffic and all transfer operations may continue while Whiskey remains in effect.

Sustained winds between 39 and 54 mph are possible within 72 hours. Mariners are reminded there are no safe havens in these facilities, and ports are safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. All ocean-going commercial vessels and ocean-going barges greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the port.

Vessels desiring to remain in port must immediately contact the COTP to receive permission and are required to submit a safe mooring plan in writing. Vessels bound for Port Canaveral unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination.

Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Drawbridges may not be operating if sustained winds reach 25 mph or when an evacuation is in progress. Port facilities are advised to review their heavy weather plans and take all necessary precautions to adequately prepare for the expected conditions. Mariners can view the latest port updates on the Coast Guard’s Homeport site.

If and when port condition Yankee is set, meaning sustained gale force winds are expected within 24 hours, vessel movement shall be restricted, and all movements must be approved by the captain of the port.

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 the 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.

All marine interests must take early and substantial action to ensure safety of the port and vessels.  Future port conditions cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty but provided the storm remains on the projected course and track, port stakeholders can expect the following progression of port conditions:

Sustained gale force winds from a hurricane-force storm are predicted within 72 hours.

BREVARD COUNTY WEATHER FORECAST

On the Space Coast Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecasts a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon, mostly sunny, with a high near 92 and a heat index values as high as 105. West winds will be 5 to 10 mph.

On Wednesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. East wind around 10 mph.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: Hurricane conditions possible. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 76. Windy, with an east northeast wind 20 to 25 mph becoming west northwest 30 to 35 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.

Labor Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Windy, with a south southwest wind 25 to 30 mph becoming south southeast 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. South wind around 10 mph.

STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR UPDATES

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Similar Stories