Serving the Ports of Tampa, Port Manatee & St. Petersburg

Tampa Bay Harbor Safety & Security Committee

Port Heavy Weather Advisory Group

(PHWAG)

Before PHWAGBefore PHWAG

Decision Making ProcessDecision Making Process

Primary - US Coast Guard 7Primary - US Coast Guard 7thth District District

Secondary - Captain of the Port, TampaSecondary - Captain of the Port, Tampa Decision Based on Limited InformationDecision Based on Limited Information

Gathered Outside of AOR (Area of Gathered Outside of AOR (Area of Responsibility)Responsibility)

Based upon USCG’s Limited Ability to RespondBased upon USCG’s Limited Ability to Respond Decision Timeliness – Critical PointDecision Timeliness – Critical Point

Too EarlyToo Early

Too LateToo Late

Where Are We Now?Where Are We Now?

Decision Making ProcessDecision Making ProcessPort Heavy Weather Advisory GroupPort Heavy Weather Advisory GroupCOTP TampaCOTP Tampa

Decision FoundationDecision FoundationCritical Risk FactorsCritical Risk FactorsAwareness of NeedsAwareness of NeedsLimitation of ResourcesLimitation of Resources

Decision ElementDecision ElementLocal FocusLocal FocusTimely ApplicationTimely Application

(Consistent Method of Determining (Consistent Method of Determining Port Evacuation Order)Port Evacuation Order)

Tampa Bay Port Heavy Weather Tampa Bay Port Heavy Weather Advisory GroupAdvisory Group

Key Maritime StakeholdersKey Maritime Stakeholders

Primary PurposesPrimary Purposes

•Review & evaluate the effectiveness of Tampa Bay Port Heavy Review & evaluate the effectiveness of Tampa Bay Port Heavy Weather Contingency Plan & make recommendations for Weather Contingency Plan & make recommendations for

improvements;improvements;

•Identify critical infrastructure and maritime industry issues to Identify critical infrastructure and maritime industry issues to facilitate the securing or reopening of the port.facilitate the securing or reopening of the port.

•Advise the COTP of critical risk factors to port and vessel Advise the COTP of critical risk factors to port and vessel operations relating to tropical storms or hurricanes.operations relating to tropical storms or hurricanes.

PHWAG Decision Making ModelPHWAG Decision Making Model Analyzes the Critical Risk Analyzes the Critical Risk

Factors:Factors:– weather, vessels, berths, weather, vessels, berths,

facility operations, facility operations, hazardous materials, hazardous materials, resources availableresources available

Determine Appropriate Determine Appropriate Course of Action:Course of Action:– none; control traffic; cease none; control traffic; cease

all trafficall traffic Recommendation to Recommendation to

COTP: COTP: – No EvacuationNo Evacuation– Partial EvacuationPartial Evacuation– Complete Evacuation & Complete Evacuation &

Cessation of Vessel Traffic Cessation of Vessel Traffic and Transfer Operations and Transfer Operations

What is Considered in Controlling What is Considered in Controlling Vessel TrafficVessel Traffic

Evaluation Of Evasion Routes

The table below provides each of the Port Hurricane Conditions Used by the COTP.

Port HurricanePort Hurricane When SetWhen Set

ConditionCondition   

Condition IVCondition IV 1 Jun - Nov 30 Hurricane Seasonal Alert1 Jun - Nov 30 Hurricane Seasonal Alert

   (Return to this condition after storm passage)(Return to this condition after storm passage)

Condition WhiskeyCondition Whiskey Arrival of sustained gale force winds anticipated within 72 hoursArrival of sustained gale force winds anticipated within 72 hours

Condition X-RayCondition X-Ray Arrival of sustained gale force winds anticipated within 48 hoursArrival of sustained gale force winds anticipated within 48 hours

Condition YankeeCondition Yankee Arrival of sustained gale force winds anticipated within 24 hoursArrival of sustained gale force winds anticipated within 24 hours

Condition ZuluCondition Zulu Arrival of sustained gale force winds anticipated within 12 hoursArrival of sustained gale force winds anticipated within 12 hours

The table below provides the potential orders the COTP may issue.

Port HurricanePort Hurricane Potential ActionPotential Action

ConditionCondition   

Condition IVCondition IV Recommend preparations for hurricane seasonRecommend preparations for hurricane season

Condition WhiskeyCondition Whiskey No action, control traffic, suspend vessel trafficNo action, control traffic, suspend vessel traffic

Condition X-RayCondition X-Ray No action, control traffic, suspend vessel trafficNo action, control traffic, suspend vessel traffic

Condition YankeeCondition Yankee No action, control traffic, suspend vessel traffic, suspend cargo operationsNo action, control traffic, suspend vessel traffic, suspend cargo operations

Condition ZuluCondition Zulu All traffic and cargo operations suspended (mandatory action)All traffic and cargo operations suspended (mandatory action)

When Is the Port Closed?When Is the Port Closed?

3 Stages Towards Port Closure3 Stages Towards Port Closure1 – Vessel Movements & Cargo Transfers1 – Vessel Movements & Cargo Transfers2 – Facility and Terminal Closure2 – Facility and Terminal Closure3 – EOC Orders Evacuation3 – EOC Orders Evacuation

Stopping of traffic or vessel cargo operation Stopping of traffic or vessel cargo operation doesn’t mean the port is closed.doesn’t mean the port is closed.

Determining the Need to Control Determining the Need to Control Vessel Traffic & Port OperationsVessel Traffic & Port Operations

Storm Location and PathStorm Location and Path Current State of the SeaCurrent State of the Sea Wave ForecastWave Forecast Vessel InformationVessel Information

Vessel Traffic ManagementVessel Traffic ManagementMovement Stops – Movement StartsMovement Stops – Movement Starts

Maximize Efficiencies & Minimize Economic ImpactMaximize Efficiencies & Minimize Economic Impact– Prioritize Vessels by Cargo, Delay Time, Tides, Prioritize Vessels by Cargo, Delay Time, Tides,

Speed, etc.Speed, etc.– Establish Queue based on Needs of Port, Logistics of Establish Queue based on Needs of Port, Logistics of

Resources, and Maximization of Traffic FlowResources, and Maximization of Traffic Flow– Vessel Must Have CG Control # for Entry or Re-Vessel Must Have CG Control # for Entry or Re-

EntryEntry

What if a Major Hurricane Strikes?What if a Major Hurricane Strikes?

The ports of Tampa Bay are essential for The ports of Tampa Bay are essential for recovery of the surrounding communities.recovery of the surrounding communities.

The surrounding communities are essential for The surrounding communities are essential for the recovery of the ports of Tampa Bay.the recovery of the ports of Tampa Bay.

Restoring the Infrastructure of the Restoring the Infrastructure of the CommunityCommunity

Critical FactorsCritical Factors

Exchange of Information – Timely & FactualExchange of Information – Timely & Factual

Cooperation/PartnershipCooperation/Partnership

Priorities Based upon Maximizing Recovery Priorities Based upon Maximizing Recovery EffortsEfforts

Decision Making Decision Making

At Local LevelAt Local Level

Impact on Overall Recovery EffortImpact on Overall Recovery Effort

Lessons Learned – Best PracticesLessons Learned – Best Practices

Identified the Lack of a Seaport Management Identified the Lack of a Seaport Management System to address the Preparation & RecoverySystem to address the Preparation & Recovery

Identified the Lack of Tiered System to Identified the Lack of Tiered System to Address Power Restoration to the Maritime Address Power Restoration to the Maritime Community Community

Identified the Need to Establish Contracts with Identified the Need to Establish Contracts with Outside Vendors (Pros/Cons)Outside Vendors (Pros/Cons)

Must Implement System for Granting Must Implement System for Granting Immediate Access for First Responders – Immediate Access for First Responders – Maritime FacilitiesMaritime Facilities

Overall - Must Have an Unified ApproachOverall - Must Have an Unified Approach

PHWAG – Partner for SuccessPHWAG – Partner for Success“Safe Passage Throughout Tampa Bay”“Safe Passage Throughout Tampa Bay”

60 Million Tons of Cargo 60 Million Tons of Cargo ~ 50% of all seaborne commerce passing through the state~ 50% of all seaborne commerce passing through the state ~ 50% of Florida’s Fuel Supply~ 50% of Florida’s Fuel Supply 5.7 billion gallons of Petroleum Products5.7 billion gallons of Petroleum Products ~ 50 % of Florida Hazardous Chemicals~ 50 % of Florida Hazardous Chemicals ~ 800,000 Cruise Passengers~ 800,000 Cruise Passengers

Questions?