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Storm Clock

Time Lapse

Hours/Time:

PORTCON Weather Central

Operation Action Plan

Hours/Days

Action

0/day 1

General Weather Report received from National Weather Service Forecast Office (NWSFO) Anchorage

Generalized data on all forecast elements. If storm elements are forecast, start storm clock

Saint Paul Port Control and Harbormaster Office (PORTCON) Action

Update weather data and plot on Weather Central Bering Sea master weather board

24/day 2+0 hours

Revised General Weather Report from NWSFO/ANX

New generalized data on all forecast elements; plot on master weather board

PORTCON Action

Replot Weather Central master weather board

Notice to ships in port and in queuing pattern of any developing systems which appear to be moving toward Saint Paul

Call weather observers on ships in each grid sector via long-range side-band radio for collection of localized climatic conditions

Transmit ship observations to NWSFO/ANX and post conditions to Bering Sea grid chart at Weather Central, PORTCON

32/day 2+8 hours

PORTCON Action

Call weather observers on ships in each grid sector via long-range side-band radio to collect localized climatic conditions

Transmit ship observations to NWSFO/ANX and ask for wave predictions from the Marine Forecast Specialist at the Ocean Services Unit (OSU) NSWFO/ANX

36/day 2+12 hours

PORTCON Action

Call ships as above

Transmit OSU/ANX wave data to ships and new ship observations on localized conditions back to OSU/ANX

Transmit SNP wave advisory to all ships in port and in the queuing pattern of an impending heavy weather and wave condition

40/day 2+16 hours

PORTCON Action

Repeat all steps in section immediately above

Notify all ships in the queuing pattern that the pattern is frozen until further notice and advise to hold at their present location pending further storm and wave development information

Begin hourly monitoring of wave heights in the port at dock side and dolphins, and on the ocean side of the breakwaters

Notify all ships in port of an impending heavy weather notice and wave advisory within the next four hours and to effect their heavy weather plans and make ready for sea unless they have received permission to remain in port

Masters, owners, operators, and agents of vessels desiring to remain in the harbor during a heavy weather condition must request permission in writing from the Harbormaster at least eight hours prior to the storm ETA at Saint Paul. This applies to all vessels, whether or not they have received prior approval to lay-up at any public or private facility or moorage. The written request shall be on forms provided by and available at Harbormaster’s office, or otherwise written, but must include at a minimum the information called for in Appendix A (on file in the Harbormaster’s office)

Vessels which have not given written notification of their intention by this time will be considered as having elected to put to sea or the leeward of the Island

Vessels which elect to remain in port and have provided the written data required in Appendix A (on file in the Harbormaster’s office) shall also meet the requirements of Appendix B (on file in the Harbormaster’s office)

44/day 2+20 hours

Heavy Weather Conditions Declared. Port Closed.

A safety zone is in effect. No vessel may enter within the boundary lines of the port and no vessels or barges may anchor within the territorial waters under the authority of the Harbormaster. Vessels not having requested permission to remain in port should initiate action to depart to open sea at this time

Marine, port and private interests should address any unresolved problems posing a threat to continued port operations

All entities shall secure cargo handling operations

Product storage tanks should be loaded to optimum level for withstanding storm winds and flooding

Insure all heavy weather checklists have been completed

Oil transfer and hazardous chemical terminals should ensure that all loading arms and transfer hoses are drained of all products, flanged off, and secured to the dock or stations

Vessels moored at wharves should be ballasted down, have the outboard anchor at short stay, maximum mooring lines out, maintain standby power (or steam), set a navigation watch, and guard CH 16 VHF-FM and have sufficient officers and men onboard to tend mooring lines and take proper care of all manner of emergency which might occur

(All marine interests both public and private should make timely preparations using conservative estimates of the time required for necessary actions, taking into consideration scarcity of personnel, materials, and supplies immediately before and after heavy weather conditions.)

[Ord. 89-02 § 2 (Att.), 1988. Code 1979 Ch. 18.14.]