BALTIMORE– The Captain of the Port set Port Condition Zulu for the Port of Baltimore at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches the Baltimore area.
In Port Condition Zulu, the port is closed and all port operations are suspended.
Pleasure craft are being told to seek safe harbor.
The Coast Guard encourages the public to:
Stay off the water. Search and rescue operations become harder as the storm strengthens, help could be delayed. Boaters should heed weather watches, warnings, and small craft advisories.
Secure belongings. Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or sustaining damage. Boats that can be pulled from the water and stored should be taken to a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to remove EPIRBs and to secure life rings, life jackets and small boats. These items, if not properly secured, can break free and cause valuable search and rescue resources be diverted to ensure people are not in distress.
Stay clear of beaches. Wave heights and currents typically increase before a storm makes landfall. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by hurricanes. Swimmers should stay clear of beaches until local lifeguards and law enforcement officials say the water is safe.