| The US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Port Arthur’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) held a Port Coordination Team (PCT) conference call at 1100 hours today to update industry partners on the passing of Hurricane FRANCINE upon vessel traffic along the Sabine/Neches Waterway. Your WGMA Maritime Affairs team participated on the call and has the following report for our membership:
From the National Weather Service briefing, and other sources:
· NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Francine has changed little in intensity during the
· last several hours.
· The center of Hurricane Francine was located near latitude 28.0 North, longitude 92.7 West with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph.
· Satellite imagery does show that the cloud pattern is becoming elongated from northeast to southwest due to the increasing effects of
· southwesterly shear.
· A slightly faster northeastward motion is forecast this afternoon and tonight.
· The core of Francine moves toward the Louisiana coast, with landfall expected within the hurricane warning area late this afternoon or evening.
· After landfall, a gradual turn toward the north will bring the center of Francine across southeastern Louisiana and southwestern and central Mississippi on Thursday.
· After that, a northward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected until the cyclone dissipates.
· Due to the increasing shear and the possibility that drier air will wrap around the south side of the center, little change in strength
· is expected before landfall.
· Once inland, Francine is expected to quickly weaken while also losing tropical characteristics.
Watches & Warnings:
· A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Cameron Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama Border, Vermilion Bay, Lake Maurepas & Lake Pontchartrain.
· A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Louisiana coast from Vermilion/Cameron Line eastward to Grand Isle.
· A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain including metropolitan New Orleans.
· A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Louisiana coast east of Sabine Pass to Vermilion/Cameron Line, East of Grand Isle Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, including metropolitan New Orleans.
Local Weather Concerns:
· Expecting 1-3ft storm surge.
· 1” of rain and wind gusts up to 28mpg.
· Francine is looking to hit between Franklin and Morgan City between 5-8pm today.
Key Messages for Hurricane Francine
Coastal Watches/Warnings and Forecast Cone for Storm Center
Earliest Reasonable Arrival Time of Tropical-Storm-Force Winds
Tropical-Storm-Force Wind Speed Probabilities
Satellite Loop: Tropical Storm Francine
Remarks from Coast Guard MSU Port Arthur & Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur:
· MSIB 32-24 Port Recovery issued this morning. (see below link)
· No vessel movement or port operations will be authorized without the express permission of the COTP. This includes all commercial traffic and recreational vessels 65-feet in length or greater.
· Moving on assessments, based on assessments of channel conditions, navigability concerns, and hazards to navigation, the COTP may permit vessel movements with restrictions.
· Facility representatives are reminded to be preparing and submitting “Marine Transportation System Recovery Facility Status” Form CG-11410A to msupa-mtsru@uscg.mil
· Additional Port Recovery MSIB to follow.
MSIB 32-24: Port Condition Recovery (MSU Port Arthur Only), September 11th
MSIB 31-24: Port Condition Zulu set 8PM yesterday, September 10th
MSIB 30-24: Port Condition Yankee set 8AM yesterday, September 10th
MSIB 29-24: Port Condition X-Ray set 12PM yesterday, September 9th
MSIB 28-24: Port Condition Whiskey set 12PM Sunday, September 8th
Sabine Pilots:
· Evaluations are starting – ATON offshore and sea state assessments.
· Hope to get thing up and running soon.
· Anchorages are empty, as vessel arrive will start prioritizing.
Agents are reminded to keep CBP and Sabine Pilots updated with your vessel’s status for movement, and to make sure that the ship’s eNOA/D are kept updated to avoid any problems.
WGMA members are reminded that our partners DTN WeatherOps can provide customized weather reports for your specific area, and their seasonal Fog Forecast gives you a 7-day outlook of fog for every port on the US Gulf Coast. Contact WGMA Maritime Affairs to sign up to receive these reports.
This was the FINAL VTS Port Arthur PCT conference call for this event. |
