Update3: CG preparing for Nate

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard’s District Eight command headquarters here has started securing its areas of responsibility, and adjusting port conditions, along the Gulf Coast as the threat of Tropical Storm Nate continues to move northwest Oct. 5. The CG urges mariners to continuously monitor weather sources and avoid coastal areas that may be impacted by the storm. Large boat owners are being urged to move vessels to inland marinas. Mariners leaving their boats in the water are reminded to update their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon registration, and secure EPIRBs safely to vessels prior to the storm. The CG has set Port Condition “Whiskey” for New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., PC “Whiskey” is set when gale force winds are possible within 72 hours. All commercial vessels and barges greater than 500 gross tons and all oceangoing barges and their supporting tugs shall report to the Coast Guard captain of the port their intention to depart or remain in port. They shall also complete an application and submit it in writing within 24 hours to the Coast Guard captain of the port to remain in port. Mariners can stay updated on the latest port conditions through CG Sector New Orleans and CG Sector Mobile websites. (Source: Coast Guard 10/05/17) UPDATE: The CG has set Port Condition "X-Ray" for New Orleans' captain of the port zone. X-Ray is set when gale force winds are possible within 48 hours. All commercial vessels and barges greater than 500 gross tons and all oceangoing barges and supporting tugs shall report to the CG captain of the port their intention to depart or remain in port. Due to space in the Lower Mississippi River, the NOLA Coast Guard captain has closed the Lower Mississippi River to all inbound deep draft vessels that do not have confirmed berth arrangements. UPDATE 2: Assets currently pre-staged include eight shallow-water boats in New Orleans; six in Hammond, La.; 15 in Jackson, Miss.; five rotary-wing aircraft at CG Air Station NOLA; 4 at CG Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala.; 13 rotary-wing aircraft at ATC Mobile; three at CG Air Station Houston; three at CG Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas; and two fixed-wing aircraft at CGAS Corpus Christi. UPDATE 3: The Coast Guard has set Port Condition Zulu for the New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., captain of the port zones. Zulu suspends all port operations and is set when gale force winds are possible within 12 hours.