Various U.S. ports give status updates as Hurricane Matthew nears closer

At 11:00 a.m. EST, the National Hurricane Center issued a public advisory that said the Category 3 hurricane was 55 miles north/northeast of Cabo Lucrecia, Cuba and about 105 miles south of Long Island, Bahamas.    UPDATE, Sept. 16 7:20 p.m.: The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) released its third advisory on Hurricane Matthew late Wednesday afternoon, replacing all previous versions. The third advisory says SCPA will resume normal operating hours at all terminals on Thursday, including normal gate hours beginning at 6:00 a.m. for the Wando Welch and North Charleston Terminals.
   Port Everglades also said later in the day Wednesday the port is now operating under the U.S. Coast Guard’s Port Condition Zulu, which is a 12-hour alert in anticipation of gale force winds. Under this port condition, all port operations and vessel movements, with the exception of emergency vessels, must be secured in preparation for the oncoming hurricane by 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. The port is currently open to outbound truck activity, while waterside facilities will remain closed until the passage of tropical storm force winds and the Captain of the Port (COTP), in conjunction with the Strategic Weather Advisory Team, has determined it is safe to reopen waterside operations.

   Various ports throughout the United States have announced their plans over the next few days as they brace for Hurricane Matthew.
   At 11:00 a.m. EST, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a public advisory that said the Category 3 hurricane was 55 miles north/northeast of Cabo Lucrecia, Cuba and about 105 miles south of Long Island, Bahamas.
   Port Miami had an update on its home page that said cargo terminals SFCT and POMTOC would be closed Wednesday for all vessel and truck traffic until further notice. The advisory also said the U.S. Coast Guard anticipates implementing Port Condition Yankee (a 24-hour alert in anticipation of gale force winds) effective Wed, Oct. 5 at 4:00 a.m. The advisory is no longer on the port’s website, but the Miami Herald reported Port Miami would close at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday.
   Port Everglades’ latest update on its home page says it is currently open and operating at this time under Port Condition Yankee.
   Meanwhile, Jaxport, Port Canaveral and the Port of Fernandina are also under Port Condition Yankee, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville said Tuesday. Under this condition, no vessel over 500 gross tons may enter the port without the permission of the COTP.
   Port Canaveral said Tuesday it will be closing at noon on Wednesday.
   Jaxport said Wednesday afternoon its marine terminals will close Thursday at 3:00 p.m.
   A Georgia Ports Authority spokesperson told American Shipper Wednesday afternoon it did not have any plans to close due to the hurricane, but the port authority is monitoring the situation.
   North Carolina State Ports Authority’s update on its home page says its operating status has not changed due the hurricane and gates are currently operating under normal hours.