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26MAY23 0915
Marine Safety Information Bulletin
25-23
May 26, 2023
Hurricane Season
and Information Request
The 2023 hurricane season will officially start on June 1, 2023. All facilities, vessels, service companies, and organizations in the Port Arthur Captain of the Port Zone should review and update their severe weather plans in preparation for the hurricane season.
To prepare for the possibility of a disruption to the Marine Transportation System and to assist in prioritizing recovery efforts, the Coast Guard needs to know the normal, fully functioning condition of a port before a disruption. Therefore, the Captain of the Port (COTP) is requesting that all waterfront facilities on the Sabine-Neches and Calcasieu Waterways submit a “Marine Transportation System Recovery Essential Elements of Information” Form (CG-11410). The form may be submitted to msupa-mtsru@uscg.mil for Port Arthur or msulcwwm@uscg.mil for Lake Charles. Only the appropriate persons at MSU Port Arthur and Lake Charles will receive the forms.
To assist in updating your hurricane plans, a document entitled “Severe Weather Planning Information for Maritime Stakeholders” is available on the Coast Guard’s Homeport website (https://homeport.uscg.mil) under Local Contingency Plans, and on the VTS Port Arthur website (https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/vtsportarthur/ under Hurricane Season). This document provides information about the Coast Guard’s plans, intentions and expectations should a storm approach this area.
Some important points to consider:
1. Storm avoidance is always the preferred action for vessels. All vessels capable of sailing away from an approaching storm should do so.
2. Vessels 500 gross tons and greater expecting to remain in port during a severe weather event must provide a “Remaining In Port Checklist” to the Captain of the Port for review at least 72-hours prior to arrival of gale force winds. For vessels intending to remain in port:
a. Vessel masters will be expected to explain why remaining in port is the safest or necessary option.
b. Vessels will be expected to provide a mooring plan that adequately addresses the impacts of expected hurricane force winds and storm surge.
c. Remaining-In-Port Checklists should be emailed to:
• Sabine-Neches Waterway and tributaries: msupa-mtsru@uscg.mil
• Calcasieu River and tributaries: msulcwwm@uscg.mil
3. Vessels 500 gross tons and greater in, or entering, layup status should notify MSU Port Arthur or MSU Lake Charles of their status and provide necessary information that assures that preparations for hurricane season are adequate.
4. Commercial boat and barge tows should depart the area or move as far inland as possible on our rivers and bayous to establish secure moorings. While fleeting areas may be acceptable as a secure mooring location, fleeting area managers should be contacted to verify space availability and appropriateness of the fleeting area based on the storm track and intensity.
a. On the Calcasieu Waterway, barges will not be permitted to remain south of Mile Marker 20 along the Calcasieu Ship Channel.
5. Commercial fishing vessels that cannot depart the area should find shelter as far north on our rivers and bayous as possible to increase their chances of surviving a severe weather event.
a. On the Sabine-Neches Waterway, commercial fishing vessels will not be permitted to remain south of the Neches River Intersection.
b. On the Calcasieu Waterway, commercial fishing vessels will not be permitted to remain south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW) along the Calcasieu Ship Channel. The Port of Lake Charles may offer space for smaller vessels seeking safe moorage. Mariners should contact the Port of Lake Charles for amplifying information.
c. Facilities along deep-draft channels do not provide adequate safe moorage, especially when storm surge is expected. Fishing vessels shall plan accordingly.
6. Facilities with storage tanks should take preventative action to secure their tanks by any appropriate means, including pressing up, flooding, or cutting holes. Containment tanks and berms should be promptly pumped out to prevent spills as a result of heavy rain.
Port Coordination Team (PCT) conference calls will be activated prior to a storm’s arrival and will typically be held before, during and after a storm event. PCT calls are scheduled and facilitated by the U. S. Coast Guard and include representatives from facilities, boat operators, pilots, and other federal, state and local agencies. There are separate PCT calls for the Sabine-Neches Waterway (MSU Port Arthur) and the Calcasieu Waterway (MSU Lake Charles).
Port Conditions and updates on the status of the Marine Transportation System will be issued by Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNTM) and Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) during pre-storm preparations and post-storm recovery efforts.
All documents, forms and checklists described in this MSIB are available on HOMEPORT at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/port-arthur-and-lake-charles and the VTS Port Arthur website at https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/vtsportarthur/.
This notice will be posted on the HOMEPORT website at http://homeport.uscg.mil and the VTS Port Arthur website at https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/vtsportarthur/. If you have questions, please contact MSU Port Arthur at (409) 723-6500 or MSU Lake Charles at (337) 912-0073.
//s//
M. A. WIKE
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port
CLICK HERE for a Copy of MSIB 25-23
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