​As part of the High Battery Stone Revetment Repair Project for the City of Charleston, SC,     S.J. Hamill Construction will work on the High Battery beginning the week of December 17, 2018 and construction will be complete sometime in February 2019. The scope of work is to include installation of stone and geotextile fabric in the area of Charleston Harbor known as the High Battery beginning at the seawall and extending approximately 40’ into Charleston Harbor. One deck barge and two rock barges, ranging in sizes up to 120’ x 30’ will be traveling between the project site and S.J. Hamill’s Construction’s marine yard in Shipyard Creek to transport materials. All barges will be equipped with proper marine lighting.
 
All Mariners are urged to use caution around this area. All barges and tugs will monitor VHF Channel 16, 13, 71. Operations will be during daylight hours. For further information please contact the Project POC Meg Heikes at (843) 642-2196.
 
This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761 or the Sector’s 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE MIGRATION 2018/2019 Sector Charleston AOR
 
The critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, including females with very young calves, may be encountered in offshore and coastal waters of South Carolina and Georgia. Right whales are slow-moving and difficult to detect and are therefore at risk of serious injury or death due to collisions with vessels. Vessel operators are reminded to use caution and proceed at safe speeds in areas used by right whales.
 
Compliance with Ship Speed Restriction Rule (50 CFR 224.105) Annual mandatory speed restrictions of 10 kts or less are in effect for vessels of 65 feet in length or greater from November 1st through April 30th in the Mid-Atlantic Seasonal Management Area and November 15th through April 15th in the Southeast Seasonal Management Area (see National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) compliance guide for geographic areas). When operating in active SMAs, in addition to reducing speed to a maximum of 10 kts, vessels should post lookouts trained in spotting right whales, maneuver around whales, and, if practicable, avoid transits in reduced visibility. Federal law prohibits approaching within 500 yards of a right whale (see additional information below). A vessel may operate at a speed necessary to maintain a safe maneuvering speed instead of the required 10 knots only if justified because the vessel is in an area where oceanographic, hydrographic, and/or meteorological conditions severely restrict vessel maneuverability and the need to operate at such speed is confined by the pilot on board or, when a vessel is not carrying a pilot, the master of the vessel. If a deviation is necessary, the following information must be entered in the vessel's logbook: Reasons for deviation; speed at which vessel operated; latitude and longitude at time of deviation; and time and duration of deviation. The vessel's Master must attest to the accuracy of the logbook entry by signing and dating it. For information regarding speed restriction areas see "Compliance Guide for Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule" at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike/.
 
NOAA Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement investigates reported violations of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and violations can be prosecuted either civilly or criminally.
 
WHALESSOUTH Mandatory Ship Reporting Area Commercial ships displacing 300 gross tons and greater are required to report when they enter the WHALESSOUTH Reporting Area. The WHALESSOUTH area extends from the shoreline east to longitude 80°51.6'W with the southern and northern boundaries at latitude 30°00'N and 31°27'N, respectively (See NOAA Chart #11480). The WHALESSOUTH reporting system is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to protect endangered North Atlantic Right Whales by eliminating collisions between the species and large commercial traffic. Since July 1999, the Coast Guard has taken an aggressive approach in educating vessel owners, operators and crews on the proper reporting procedures that must be followed when entering the WHALESSOUTH mandatory reporting area. Agents and masters of vessels entering the ports in the reporting area are encouraged to ensure their vessels make the required notifications. Failure to report the required information may result in civil penalties. Vessels shall make reports in accordance with the format in IMO Resolution A.648 (16) General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and Ship Reporting Requirements. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/webdam/download/70711138.
 
500 Yard Minimum Approach Regulation.
The Minimum Approach Rule, found at 50 CPR 224.104(c), prohibits approaching or remaining within 500 yards of a right whale. If within 500 yards of a right whale, vessels must steer a course away from the whale and immediately leave the area at a slow safe speed. An exception to this rule is if compliance with the rule would create an imminent threat to a person or vessel. For more information on reducing ship strikes to North Atlantic right whales, go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike/.
 
Method for Reporting Strikes, Carcasses, Entanglements, and Sightings:
Any whale sightings or accidental collisions with a whale should be reported immediately to the Coast Guard on Channel 16 VHF-FM and to NOAA at 877-WHALE-HELP. The following information should be provided:
1.            Location
2.            Date and Time
3.            Speed of the Vessel
4.            Size of the Vessel
5.            Water Depth
6.            Wind Speed and Direction
7.            Description of the Impact
8.            Fate of the Animal
9.            Size, if known

​On December 8, 2018, the City of Charleston is hosting the annual Charleston Harbor Christmas Parade of Boats in the Charleston Harbor from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The parade will begin in the vicinity of Anchorage A, continue up Bennis Reach beyond Patriots Point to the Ravenel Bridge, continuing around the east side of the Charleston peninsula, and will conclude at City Marina. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the immediate parade area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Charleston or a designated representative.
 
This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761 or the Sector’s 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

​The U.S. Coast Guard Station Charleston, Air Facility Charleston, and the American Canoe Association will conduct Search and Rescue Training in the Charleston Harbor on November 09, 2018 from 8a.m. to 12p.m. The training will take place in the vicinity of Middle Ground and will include the use of visual emergency signals to include handheld flares and smoke, and simulated surface rescues with Coast Guard response boats and air assets. Training participants will monitor Channel 16.
 
For further information contact U S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center at (843) 740-7050 or Scott Brown at (803) 237-2387. 
 
This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston.

The VX One North American Championship Regatta will be held November 2nd through November 4th, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The race course is located south of Castle Pickney in the area charted as Middle Ground. The regatta consists of approximately 40 small sailboats and 10 safety boats. 

Mariners are urged to plan transits accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions. The event coordinator will be on scene and will be monitoring VHF channels 74 / 13.   

For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843)323-7761, or our 24-hour Command Center Line at (843)740-7050.
​

​The Lady's Island Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 536.0, Beaufort, South Carolina will not open for marine traffic from 6:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday October 6, 2018 to facilitate the Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival 5K Bridge Run. Mariners are urged to plan transits accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions.
 
This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761 or the Sector's 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

WACCAMAW RIVER AND GREAT PEE DEE RIVER SAFETY ZONE GEORGETOWN, SC
 
The Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) has established a temporary safety zone on all waters of the Waccamaw River along the Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) from Winyah Bay to the Little River Swing Bringe (AICW statute mile marker 415 to 345), all waters of the Sampit River, all waters of the Great Pee Dee River from Winyah Bay northward to Pee Dee Game Management Area, and all waters of the Black River from its junction with the Great Pee Dee northward to   U. S. Highway 701 Bridge.  State and Federal authorities have determined that potential hazards associated with and resulting from high waters of the Waccamaw River and Great Pee Dee River are present in the area. 
 
This rule is effective from September 24, 2018, through October 19, 2018, or until waters recede and conditions allow for safe navigation, whichever occurs first.  The duration of the safety zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment while the Waccamaw River and Great Pee Dee River experience high water conditions.  No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.
 
To seek permission to enter the safety zone, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative via VHF-FM channel 16, or through Coast Guard Sector Charleston's Command Center at 843-740-7050.  Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
 
Designated representative means a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officers operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the COTP in the enforcement of the safety zones.
 
This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761, the Sector's 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050, the Horry County Emergency Operations Center at (843) 915-5150, or the Georgetown County Emergency Operations Center at (843) 545-3273.
 

COOPER RIVER DREDGING OPERATIONS NORTH CHARLESTON, SC

​Cape Romain Contractors will begin construction work at the Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr. Terminal located along the western shore of the Cooper River, North Charleston, SC. In addition, there will be dredge material offloading operations occurring on the western side of Drum Island at the dredge disposal facility. Operations will consist of dredging, armor stone slope protection installation, pile driving, and new wharf construction. Operations at the project site will commence September 2018 and will extend through March 2020. Operations at the dredge disposal facility will commence October 2018 and extend through July 2019. Tugboats will monitor VHF Channel 13. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution when transiting the work area. The project manager for this operation is Greg Tuttle. For more information call 443-270-5909. This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761 or the Sector’s 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.