WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) North Carolina set Port Condition Zulu Friday for all navigable waterways in North Carolina due to the anticipated heavy weather impact of Tropical Storm Hermine.
Port Condition Zulu was set at noon. Gale force winds (34 knots or 39 mph) are expected to reach Frying Pan Shoals Lighted Buoy 16 (LLNR 835) within 12 hours. The Ports of Wilmington and Morehead City are closed to all inbound and outbound traffic. No vessel may enter, depart, or transit without the permission of the COTP. 1. All cargo and bunker handling operations must cease at this time.2. All Commercial vessels and barges that have received permission from the COTP to remain in port must be at their mooring site in accordance with their plan.3. Vessels bound for these ports are advised to seek an alternate destination.Mariners are also advised that drawbridges will remain closed when wind speeds are 34 knots or greater or once evacuations begin. Because of the uncertainty of weather movements and related bridge closures, mariners are urged to seek passage through drawbridges well in advance of the arrival of gale force winds.For updated COTP information for ports in North Carolina, please visit: https://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/portDirectory.do?tabId=1&cotpId... information on how to prepare your boat or trailer for a hurricane, please visit http://www.uscg.mil/news/stormcenter/.For information on Tropical Storm Hermine's progress and hurricanepreparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center's Web page at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's site to stay informed and for tips to prepare and plan for the storm at http://www.ready.gov/.The Coast Guard requests that the public listen to weather information available from other sources and not call the Coast Guard for weather information.For breaking news, follow the 5th District on Twitter @USCGMidAtlantic.