U.S. Coast Guard To Close St. Croix Seaports At 8:00 p.m. As T.S. Dorian Approaches

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that it will close all seaports in the St. Croix district only at 8:00 p.m. tonight due to inclement weather expected as Tropical Storm Dorian passes the U.S. Virgin Islands. The closure does not affect the seaports in the St. Thomas/St. John district, which will remain open, the Coast Guard said.

The Virgin Islands Port Authority is urging all mariners to adhere to the directives of the U.S. Coast Guard and to exercise safety precautions while traveling on the sea as the storm passes.

Coast Guard sets Port Condition X-RAY for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Tropical Storm Dorian

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan set Port Condition X-RAY at 2 a.m. Monday for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgins Islands due to the possibility of sustained gale force winds greater than 39 mph from Tropical Storm Dorian that may arrive to the area within 48 hours.

The Coast Guard strongly cautions the maritime community to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions as Tropical Storm Dorian makes way into Eastern Caribbean waters.

During Port Condition X-RAY port facilities are currently open to all commercial traffic and all cargo transfer operations at Coast Guard regulated facilities may continue while X-RAY remains in effect.

Mariners are reminded there are no safe havens in these facilities, and ports are safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. All ocean-going commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the port no later than the setting of Port Condition YANKEE.

Vessels desiring to remain in port must immediately contact the COTP to receive permission and are required to submit a safe mooring plan in writing. Vessels bound for the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination.

Recreational boaters are advised to seek safe harbor. Maritime and port facilities are reminded to review and update their heavy weather response plans and make any additional preparations needed to adequately prepare in case of a potential impact to the area. Mariners can view the latest port updates on the Coast Guard’s Homeport site.

At this time, Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan anticipates setting Port Condition Yankee at 8 a.m. Tuesday for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. These dates and times are subject to change based on future forecast.