Hurricane Irma: Florida Coast Guard Issues Port Warnings, Safety Tips

TAMPA, FL – Florida boat owners should secure their vessels now, says the Coast Guard. Large vessels may be ordered out of ports because of Hurricane Irma. Effective 8 a.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard set Hurricane Condition WHISKEY (which means sustained gale force winds from a hurricane force storm are predicted within 72 hours) for Tampa, St. Petersburg and Manatee ports.

All mariners are reminded that there are no safe havens in these ports and that the port is safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum, the service says in a news released. For planning purposes, all oceangoing vessels and barges over 500 gross tons will be required to leave the Port of Key West and head out to sea if/when Hurricane Condition YANKEE (24 hours before the onset of gale force winds) is set. Inland vessels and barges over 500 gross tons are required to seek safe refuge in a port outside the Port of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Manatee areas.

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. Owners who are leaving their boats in the water should update their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon registration, and secure them safely to their vessel before the storm. These devices often float free from vessels in marinas or at docks during hurricanes and signal a distress when there is none. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Tampa Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

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"Just as the Coast Guard and its members are preparing in advance, we urge the public to do so as well," said Capt. Holly Najarian, captain of the Port for Tampa, St. Petersburg and Manatee, in a news release. "Having a hurricane kit and emergency evacuation plans can help ensure the safety of individuals in our community and their loved ones, both during and after a storm."

Both ocean-going and inland vessels and barges over 500 gross tons that wish to remain in the Port of Key West area must submit a Remaining in Port Checklist to the COTP and should contact the Prevention Office immediately. If/when Condition Yankee is set; vessel movement will be restricted and allowed only on a case-by-case basis by approval of the Coast Guard. All vessels expecting to conduct cargo operations during Condition Yankee shall submit a Cargo Operations Plan to terminal owners for approval. All ship-to-shore operations must be completed six hours prior to the setting of Port Condition ZULU.

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Hurricane Irma is a large and powerful storm. 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 sustained Gale Force winds from a hurricane force storm within 72 hours.

For breaking news, follow the service on Twitter @uscgsoutheast.

The Coast Guard has these marine safety reminders:

• Do not go out to sea in a recreational boat if a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching.
• Contact local marinas to ask for advice about securing your boat. Information on how to prepare your boat or trailer for a hurricane can also be found at the Coast Guard's Storm Center webpage.
• Take action now. The effects of a tropical storm or hurricane can be felt well in advance of the storm and can prevent the safe completion of preparations.
• Check with local authorities before entering any storm-damaged areas. Do not rush to your boat. Boaters should not place themselves in danger to get to a boat.
• Do not try to reach your boat if it has been forced into the water and is surrounded by debris. Wait until authorities have made safe access available. Do not try to board a partially sunken boat; seek salvage assistance from a professional.
• Storms move quickly and are unpredictable. You can always replace a boat; you cannot replace your life.

Photography provided courtesy of Pinellas County Communications Department