ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard has implemented a port closure Monday and Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., due to inclement weather conditions and low visibility.
The National Weather Service has put out a dense fog advisory. The bulletin states that dense fog is expected to affect coastal Hernando and Pasco Counties as well as the Tampa Bay area and toward the south.
Due to the heavy fog in the area, the Coast Guard has maintained a port closure due to the potential dangers of vessel maneuvers within the affected area.
“The Coast Guard’s primary concern at all times is the safety of the recreational and commercial boating public,” said Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Pankey, an operations specialist and the command duty officer at the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center. “We are implementing the port closure out of an abundance of caution to eliminate the risk of a possible accident occurring within the affected areas. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we truly appreciate the public’s patience during this situation.”
To read the NWS bulletin, visit: http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ050&warncounty=FLC... Petersburg FL&product1=Dense+Fog+Advisory&lat=27.758&lon=-82.6421
For more information contact the Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864.