Hawaii Ports Brace for Heavy Weather

The US Coast Guard Captain of the Port set Heavy Weather Condition 2 for commercial ports on the Island of Hawaii at 4 p.m., and throughout Maui County at 9 p.m Wednesday. All other ports remain in condition 3, the US Coast Guard said.

All pleasure craft were instructed to seek sheltered waters.

USCG said that vessels transiting within the vicinity of the Hawaiian Island harbors should seek sheltered waters until storm conditions subside and anticipate harbor closures at the discretion of the COTP as storm conditions progress.

• Condition V: Seasonally readiness, 1 June – 30 November
• Condition IV: The ALERT condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 72 hours.
• Condition III: The READINESS condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 48 hours.
• Condition II: The WARNING condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 24 hours.
• Condition I: The DANGER condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 12 hours and until the storm has passed and is no longer a threat.

Heavy Weather conditions for each port will be updated as information becomes available regarding potential wind conditions for the islands.

All ocean going commercial vessels and ocean going barges greater than 200 gross tons are expected to make preparations to leave the ports by the following times:

• Hawaii (Big Island) Hilo – 4 a.m., Aug. 7, 2014
• Hawaii (Big Island) Kawaihae – 7 a.m., Aug. 7, 2014
• Maui County Kahului – 9 a.m., Aug. 7, 2014
• Maui County Kaunakakai and Kaumalapau – 12 p.m., Aug. 7, 2014

Vessels that desire to remain in port must submit a safe mooring plan in writing to the COTP and receive permission to remain in port.

“Once the storm has passed, and the threat of severe weather has subsided, the Coast Guard, Army Corp of Engineers and State of Hawaii will jointly conduct surveys of channel blockage and prioritize steps to resume essential, then normal, vessel traffic. These steps are to minimize risk of damage to vessels and assess the conditions of channels, aids to navigation, waterfront facilities, piers and other infrastructure,” USCG said.

“The COTP, in conjunction with the state DOT-Harbors in Hawaii, will begin sending Port Assessment Teams to accessible areas of the zone.”

The effects of Hurricane Iselle and Tropical Storm Julio that are bearing down islands are expected to generate extreme sea conditions, storm surge and surf of 10-15 feet throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands.

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Press Release, August 7, 2014; Image: NOAA