Ports prepare for Hurricane Irene

Ports prepare for Hurricane Irene    Ports along the East Coast are preparing for the onset of Hurricane Irene, which is barreling across the Caribbean and forecast to hit North Carolina this weekend.
   The storm is expected to disrupt air, highway, ocean and even rail traffic, causing delays in deliveries of freight shipments.
   The North Carolina Ports Authority said it will close the gates at the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City on Friday at noon.
   The U.S. Coast Guard has set Port Condition Whiskey for the ports of Jacksonville and Canaveral in Florida. Condition Whiskey is a heightened condition of readiness to indicate 72 hours prior to arrival of gale force winds. The port authority said it anticipates the Cape Fear River to be closed to inbound traffic by late Thursday evening.
   Wilmington is on the Cape Fear River.
   South Carolina ports are at Condition X-ray, a higher state of readiness as they are closer to the storm's path. Condition X-ray signifies when sustained gale force winds are predicted within 48 hours.
   A Coast Guard spokeswoman said the sea service is expected to move to Condition X-ray at noon Thursday for the coastline between North Carolina and New Jersey.
   Facility operators at ports on the eastern seaboard are being reminded to make sure inventories of emergency supplies and equipment are ready and in working condition, to secure all loose cargo and debris, and reinforce vessel moorings. Where possible, oceangoing vessels are being urged to sail out of the storm's path rather than stay in port to safely survive hurricane force winds and storm surges without endangering the port or public.