Marine Safety Information Bulletin
28-24
September 8, 2024 

Potential Tropical Cyclone Six
SET PORT CONDITION WHISKEY

The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts that tropical storm force winds (34 kts/39mph) from Tropical Cyclone Six have the potential to impact our area along the Texas/Louisiana coast within 72 Hours.

Therefore, with the posting of this MSIB on September 8th, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Port Arthur (COTP) has set Port Condition WHISKEY for the ports of Beaumont, TX, Port Arthur, TX, Orange, TX, Cameron, LA and Lake Charles, LA including all tributaries and connecting waterways.  Tropical storm force winds from Potential Tropical Cyclone Six are expected to make landfall along the Texas / Louisiana coast within 72 hours.

At this time, all ports of Orange, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Sabine, Lake Charles, and Cameron are currently open to all commercial traffic and cargo operations may continue. The Captain of the Port, Port Arthur (COTP) is recommending that maritime interests continue to monitor the storm track closely, increase vessel and facility readiness for heavy weather, and prepare for the setting of Port Conditions, if needed.  For information on Port Conditions, please refer to Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur MSIB 18-24 and Heavy Weather forms, which are located on HOMEPORT at: Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur - HOMEPORT.

To further discuss overnight developments of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six, Port Coordination Team (PCT) meetings will be held by both MSU Port Arthur and MSU Lake Charles. It is requested that either primary or alternate PCT members attend for each stakeholder group represented. The meeting information will be sent via alternate correspondence.

• MSU Port Arthur: PCT to be held at 11:00am (CST) on Monday September 9th, 2024 via MS Teams. If you would like to be added to the PCT please contact MSUPA-MTSRU@uscg.mil.
• MSU Lake Charles: PCT to be held at held at 1:00 pm (CST) on Monday September 9th, 2024 via MS Teams. If you would like to be added to the PCT please contact msulcwwm@uscg.mil

Based on the current forecasts and timing of the storm with potential changes overnight, the COTP is anticipating the potential need to progress rapidly through the setting of Port Conditions over the next 24 to 72 hours. The following actions are to be taken with the setting of Port Condition WHISKEY for vessels and facilities: 

• Ports and waterfront facilities should begin removing all debris and secure potential flying hazards. Unless already complete, all waterfront facilities on the Sabine-Neches and Calcasieu Waterways should submit a “Marine Transportation System Recovery Essential Elements of Information” Form (CG-11410). The form is on Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur - HOMEPORT and may submitted to msupa-mtsru@uscg.mil for Port Arthur or msulcwwm@uscg.mil for Lake Charles.
• Facilities with storage tanks should take preventative action to secure their tanks by any appropriate means, including pressing up, flooding, or cutting holes. Containment tanks and berms should be promptly pumped out to prevent spills as a result of heavy rain.
• All oceangoing vessels 500 gross tons (GT) and above must make plans to depart no later than the setting of Port Condition Yankee unless authorized by the COTP. Vessels wishing to remain in port are required to submit a “Notice of Intent to Remain in Port” prior to setting Port Condition X-Ray. Proof of facility owner/operator concurrence is required.
  • A “Notice of Intent to Remain in Port” form can be found on Homeport and VTS Port Arthur website. These forms should be submitted to msupa-mtsru@uscg.mil for Port Arthur or msulcwwm@uscg.mil for Lake Charles.
• Reminder: Port Closure (ZULU) may be set 12 hours ahead of expected arrival of tropical storm conditions. 

This bulletin shall remain active until cancelled or superseded by another bulletin. All documents, forms and checklists described in this MSIB are available on HOMEPORT at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/port-arthur-and-lake-charles. If you have questions, please contact MSU Port Arthur at (409) 723-6500 or MSU Lake Charles at (337) 912-0073.

ANTHONY R. MIGLIORINI
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port