Southeastern U.S. ports brace for Hurricane Matthew

The National Hurricane Center issued a public advisory at 11:00 a.m. EDT that said the Category 4 Hurricane off the coast of Haiti is moving north at 10 miles per hour.    The Southeastern U.S. is bracing for Hurricane Matthew and its potential impacts at shipping ports as the Category 4 Hurricane inches closer.
   On Monday, the South Carolina Ports Authority (SPPA) said it will offer extended gate hours for dry containers at the Wando Welch and North Charleston Terminals on Tuesday and Wednesday due to potential impacts from the hurricane later this week and into the weekend.
   Gate hours for dry cargo at the two terminals will be from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. for both Tuesday and Wednesday.
   The SCPA said reefer service will be provided during normal operating hours until 4:30 p.m.
   Meanwhile, down in Miami, the Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) in regards to Hurricane Matthew. The MSIB said, “Due to the possibility of gale force winds (39-54 mph/ 34-37 kts) entering offshore seas of South Florida within 72 hours, the Captain of the Port (COTP) is ordering Port Condition Whiskey to be set as follows: At 0800, Monday, Oct. 3, 2016 – Port of Miami, Miami River, Port Everglades, Port of Palm Beach, Port of Ft. Pierce and all other terminals and facilities within Sector Miami’s area of responsibility.”
   In addition, the bulletin said ports in the Miami COTP Zone should be watching the storm closely and be prepared for the onset of Port Condition X-Ray.
   Port Condition Whiskey means gale force winds are predicted within 72 hours, while Port Condition X-Ray means gale force winds are predicted within 48 hours.
   The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a public advisory at 11:00 a.m. EDT Tuesday that said the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located in the Gulf of Gonâve. The NHC’s advisory also said the hurricane’s maximum sustained winds remain near 145 mph with higher gusts and it is moving north at 10 mph.
   “On this track, the eye of Matthew will move over the Winward Passage and eastern Cuba today,” the NHC said. “A turn toward the north-northwest is expected by Wednesday, followed by a northwest turn Wednesday night. Matthew is expected to move near or over portions of the southeastern and central Bahamas tonight and Wednesday, and approach the northwestern Bahamas Wednesday night.”
   Meanwhile, the Weather Channel said Tuesday morning, “Matthew is also increasingly likely to have significant impacts along the Southeast U.S. coast later this week, but its future impacts along the Northeast seaboard and Atlantic Canada remain uncertain this weekend.”