PHILADELPHIA — The Coast Guard urges mariners and members of the maritime community across the Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey area to prepare for Hurricane Hermine.
Pleasure craft operators are advised to seek safe harbor. Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or sustaining damage. Trailerable 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 secure life rings, emergency beacons, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not secured properly, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources be diverted and precluded from assisting people who may actually be in distress.
Visit www.nhc.noaa.gov for more information on the Hurricane Hermine and its projected path.
The captain of the port in each area in the projected path of the Hurricane Hermine is working closely with maritime industry to ensure that the port is ready for the storm’s arrival. The Captain of the Port has set condition WHISKEY. During this port condition all maritime operations including waterfront facility and vessel transits may occur until further notice and are subject to prudent seamanship and safe working practices.
"The Coast Guard's highest priority is ensuring the safety of life at sea," said Chief Warrant Officer Jacob Gerasimof, command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. "We are encouraging mariners to monitor the weather and avoid taking unnecessary risks as the remnants of Hurricane Hermine pass through the area."
The Captain of the Port will change port condition when the hurricane condition winds are 48 hours out.
For information on how to prepare your boat or trailer for a hurricane, please view the following site http://www.uscg.mil/news/stormcenter/.
Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's site for tips to prepare, plan and stay informed at http://www.ready.gov/.