As we celebrate Earth Day, please be more careful with plastic bags and foam cups. And be sure to not let helium balloons loose.
John Christopher Fine
Plastic debris is choking the ocean
Florida Keys Weekly
With the launch of a new webcam, anyone with access to the internet can see the view from the top of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The webcam can be viewed at www.obxforever.org/obx-national-park-webcams/, www.outerbanks.org/webcams and www.surfline.com.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Photo: Jennifer Allen
Hatteras Lighthouse Home to New Webcam
Coastal Online Review
See also Hurricane and Severe Weather Preparation.
SECTOR CHARLESTON
UPCOMING 2021 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
The Atlantic Hurricane Season will begin June 1, 2021 and will run through November 30, 2021. During this timeframe, the assigned port condition (PORTCON) will remain PORTCON IV and the port status will remain OPEN for all ports and waterways within the Sector Charleston Captain of the Port Zone. These waters are identified in 33 CFR 3.35-15 and lie between the intersection of the North Carolina – South Carolina boarder and the northern bank of the Savannah River.
In the event of forecasted tropical storm force winds (sustained winds of 34 kts/39 mph or greater) from a tropical cyclone, the Sector Charleston Captain of the Port (COTP) will coordinate with the Heavy Weather Advisory Group (HWAG) to evaluate port preparation and changes in port condition.
The HWAG consists of maritime transportation system professionals local to the Sector Charleston Captain of the Port Zones, providing input on local operations and coordination for overall port well-being in response to severe weather events.
The COTP will announce changes to port conditions via a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) and a Broadcast Notice to Mariners when forecasted tropical storm force winds (sustained winds of 34 kts/39 mph or greater) from a tropical cyclone threaten South Carolina. These port conditions are as follows:
| Forecasted Hours Prior to Tropical Storm Force Winds | Port Condition | Measures in Effect |
| 1 DEC – 31 MAY | V | General. Port status is OPEN. |
| 1 JUN – 30 NOV | IV | Hurricane seasonal alert. Industry to review heavy weather plans. Port status is OPEN. |
| 72 | WHISKEY | The COTP will assess lay-up and mooring plans, meet with stakeholders, and conduct port assessments. Port status is OPEN. |
| 48 | X-RAY | The COTP will finalize review of lay-up and mooring plans, hold further meetings with stakeholders, and continue port assessments. Port Status is OPEN. |
| 24 | YANKEE | The COTP may restrict vessel movements, including stopping inbound vessel traffic, and cargo operations. Port status is OPEN with RESTRICTIONS. |
| 12 | ZULU | The COTP may restrict all vessel movements, including stopping inbound and outbound vessel traffic, and cargo operations. Port status is CLOSED. |
| AFTER STORM PASSAGE | OPEN or OPEN with RESTRICTIONS | Prior to authorizing vessel movements and cargo operations, the COTP will conduct a risk analysis based on actual weather observed and port assessments, which may include verifications of aids to navigation, channel hazards, waterfront facility damage, and vessel accountability. |
Very Respectfully,
LT Chad Ray
USCG Sector Charleston
Waterways Management Div., Chief
(843) 323-7761
All vessels, waterfront facilities, and marinas should review their heavy weather plans now. Please take into account that drawbridges may not open for vessel traffic when sustained wind speeds reach 25 mph or during land evacuations. Vessels or oceangoing barges greater than 500 gross tons that are unable to go to sea are required to submit heavy weather plans to the COTP. The request form can be obtained from Sector Charleston’s HOMEPORT internal site at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. All requests should be submitted to D07-PF-SECTORCHASN-WWM@uscg.mil. The COTP will carefully evaluate vessels requesting to remain in port. Submission alone of a Remain in Port Request does not grant approval from the COTP.
Currently, and running to May 31, 2021, the threat of severe weather is decreased. PORTCON V with a port status of OPEN remains in effect. This, however, does not prevent the COTP from changing port conditions in the event of forecasted severe weather.
For HWAG or waterway specific questions, please contact (843) 323-7761. For facility and foreign vessel specific questions, please contact (843) 740-3186. For domestic vessel specific questions, please contact (843) 754-2076. For Coast Guard related emergencies, please contact Sector Charleston Command Center at (843) 740-7050.
This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston.
Attachments area
EARTHDAY.ORG is honored that the Biden Administration has decided to convene a global climate summit on Earth Day 2021.
GROWING THE MOVEMENT SINCE 1970: EARTH DAY EVERY DAY
While this issue is framed as a derelict vessel issue, as is often the case, the regulations, laws, and statutes needed for identifying and removing derelict and at-risk derelict vessels are in place. Florida’s FWC and Florida law enforcement agencies have the legal authority and ability to identify and regulate derelict and at-risk derelict vessels in the Florida statutes through chapters 327 and 328. In fact, Florida statues even provide for a Rapid Derelict Vessel Removal process. In addition, Florida statutes clearly gives FWC and Florida law enforcement agencies the regulatory authority to inspect the compliance for a vessel’s sanitation disposal.
We have all seen municipalities that illegally “create” their own ordinance in order to maintain their “slice of heaven”. Gulf Port, Fl, St. Petersburg, Fl, Ft, Myers, Fl…
What do you suppose will occur, when Florida municipalities believe that they now have the authority to regulate anchoring in Florida waters?
Had there been a real effort behind reinstating/continuing Florida’s mooring field program, I believe that the mooring field test program would have greatly reduced the derelict and at-risk derelict vessel issue. The remaining favoritism with anchoring restriction/limitations is nothing short of a “Vista protection act for waterfront landowners”.
If these proposed bills that restrict/limit anchoring pass, there is absolutely no assurance that the ability to anchor will be fair and equitable and that the PUBLIC TRUST DOCTRINE survive.
Your support would be greatly appreciated!
All the best
Fred Ruggiero Jr
This planet is home to everyone and together we hold its health in our hands.
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Researchers conducting a planned University of Florida-led study on plankton in two lagoons of the Florida Keys stumbled upon an unexpected presence in the course of their routine sampling: microplastics.
Researchers surprised to find microplastics in Florida Keys lagoons
Phys.Org
Siesta, Lido and Longboat keys among Sarasota-area beaches reporting elevated measures.
Rising red tide levels prompt county advisory
YourObserver.com
Red tides were documented in the southern Gulf of Mexico as far back as the 1700s and along Florida’s Gulf coast in the 1840s.
Edward LePera Thanks Edward. Interesting note .Guess back then the resort market place wasn’t too worried about its impact on local tourism and fishing. Thank you for sharing.
After numerous complications with dredging the South Ferry Channel, the Army Corps of Engineers reported to the Dare County Waterways Commission at its Monday meeting that the hopper dredge Murden has finally started work removing the problem shoal.
The federal authorization status of various areas in Hatteras Inlet, as compiled by Waterways Commission Chair Steve “Creature” Coulter.
Dredging Underway at Hatteras Inlet
Coastal Review Online
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