A severe winter storm, named Grayson, is impacting the maritime community in Northern New England.
The US National Weather Service has issued a strong coastal winter storm warning with high winds and dangerously cold temperatures for the New England Coast. Coastal predictions are estimating sustained NNW winds 25 to 30 kts, with gusts of up to 50 kts, along with low temperatures throughout the weekend.
Although ports in the Northern New England Captain of the Port Zone remain open to all traffic, the authorities have recommended undertaking precautions in advance of the storm.
The United States Coast Guard advised all self-propelled oceangoing vessels over 5,000 gross tons and all barges and their supporting tugs to consider the requirements included in the Remaining in Port Checklist.
Additionally, ferry operators are to evaluate their ability to operate in the pending conditions and take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew, while facility managers were to review communications procedures, operations manuals and/or heavy weather plans, and consider lowering the height of container stacks.
Severe weather conditions forecast in the area “could adversely impact the regional Maritime Transportation System,” GAC said citing the USCG.