SC-31 BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION SOCASTEE, SC
MSIB Number: 41-17 Date: October 12, 2017
The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone during overhead construction activities related to the Carolina Bays Parkway Project (SC-31) located in Socastee, SC. A 200-yard safety zone will be established on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) in the vicinity of mile marker 3 72.3 encompassing all waters directly under the SC-31 project as well as vessels and machinery associated with construction efforts. Enforcement will take place during overhead construction activities on the dates listed below. Entry of vessels or persons into the safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.

Mariners are urged to plan transits accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions. Project site can be found on NOAA Chart 11534-Myrtle Grove Sound and Cape Fear River to Casino Creek. Location currently noted as "Bridge Under Construction".

Dates: October 27, 2017 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November 3, 2017 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November 10, 2017 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 2, 2017 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 12, 2017 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 21, 2017 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Coast Guard will provide notice of any date or time changes to the regulated area by Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, Marine Safety Information Bulletins and on-scene designated representatives.

​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 Line at (843)740-7050

SC-41 BRIDGE DEMOLITION Mount Pleasant, SC CHART 11526 – Wando River-Upper Part

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Friday October 6, 2017 from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for navigable waters of the Wando River within a 500-yard radius of the SC-41 Bridge in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. This safety zone will be in effect during demolition activities that include blasting of the old SC-41 swing bridge’s center pier.

Debris removal will commence shortly after the blast and is expected to take 5-7 days. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by Sector Charleston Captain of the Port, or a designated representative. Mariners are urged to plan transits accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions. For more details, please contact the project manager: Chris Sweetgall at: (813) 326-4428.

​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. .

Right Whales - What the Prudent Mariner Needs to Know when Operating Along
the Mid-Atlantic Region and Southeast Coast 

Compliance with Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs): Seasonal speed restrictions of 10 kts or less
are effective in the following areas and times for vessels of 65 feet in length or greater: 

Mid-Atlantic SMA (November 1st through April so", annually): Block Island Sound waters bounded by 40°51 '53.7" N 070°36'44.9" W, 41 °20'14.1" N 070°49'44.1" W, 41 °04'16.7" N 071 °51 '21.0" W, 40°35'56.5" N 071 °38'25.1" W then back to starting point; and within a 20 nm radius seaward of the COLREGS line at the entrances to the ports of New York, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Morehead City, and Beaufort, NC. Additionally, a continuous SMA has been established from shore and the COLREGS line out to 20 nm between Wilmington, NC and Brunswick, GA. Southeast U.S. SMA (November is" through April is", annually): Includes ports of Brunswick, GA, Fernandina, FL, and Jacksonville, FL. This area extends from the shoreline and COLREGS line east to longitude 80051.6'W with southern and northern boundaries at latitude 29°45'N and 31 °27'N. 
When operating in any active SMA, 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.

Vessels entering/departing the ports of Brunswick, Fernandina, & Jacksonville are requested to use the recommended two-way routes. These recommended routes are clearly marked on navigational charts. 

Vessels may operate at a speed greater than 10 knots onlyif necessary to maintain a safe maneuverinq speed in an area where oceanographic, hydrographic, and/or meteorological conditions severely restrict vessel maneuverability and the need to operate at such speed is confirmed 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 sign and date the logbook entry. 

Voluntary Dynamic Management Areas (DMAs):NOAA Fisheries will establish a DMA when three or more
whales are discovered outside an active SMA. Mariners are encouraged to avoid these areas or reduce speeds to 10 knots or less if avoidance of the DMA is not possible. DMAs are established for a minimum of 15 days and will beannounced through customary maritime communication media. 

Compliance with Mandatory Ship Reporting (MSR) Requirements:MSR is required for vessels of at
least 300 gross tons (including tugs with a combined tug & barge gross tonnage above 300 gross tons), who enter the WHALESSOUTH area between November is" and April rs". The WHALESSOUTH area extends from the shoreline east to longitude 80051.6'W with the southern & northern boundaries at latitude 30000'N and 31°27'N., respectively. This area includes the ports of Brunswick, Fernandina and Jacksonville. Reporting is required as the vessel enters the WHALESSOUTH zone. 

All ships equipped with INMARSAT C must report in the IMO standard format. Vessels not equipped with INMARSAT C must report via alternate satellite equipment to rightwhale.msr@noaa.govor Telex: 48156090. Vessels unable to use satellite equipment should contact the U.S. Coast Guard Communication Area Master Station, Che.sapeake, VA via published voice frequencies on 2182 kHz, 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz, 8291 kHz, 12290 kHz, 16420 kHz 24 hours per day or by phone at 1-800-742-8519 ext. O. If you do not receive a reply to your message, please notify The Right Whale Shipping Industry Liaison at nmfs.ser.rw.noaacorps@noaa.gov. Please include a copy of your MSR message. 

Whale Alerts: Right whale sightings from survey aircraft can be distributed to maritime interests with direct vessel management/navigational responsibilities including your office, dispatch center or vessels. To subscribe to the sighting distribution list, please send an e-mail nmfs.ser.rw.noaacorps@noaa.gov. with the following information:  Your name, your company, contact info (i.e. phone/email), e-mail address for notifications (may be multiple), Port region(s): Jacksonville/Fernandina, Brunswick, Savannah, Charleston, and/or Wilmington.  

​Actions to take if you Spot or Strike a Right Whale:If you spot a right whale (alive, dead, injured, entangled, etc.)  please report the sighting immediately to 1-877-WHALE-HELP or to the U.S. Coast Guard via VHF Channel 16 and notify other vessels in the area. Please be advised that it is illegal to approach within 500 yards of a right whale-vessels must steer a course away from and immediately leave the area at a slow, safe speed. 
Disclaimer:This guidance is for quick reference only. It does not supersede any information contained within the
U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Notice to Mariners, U.S. Coast Pilot, etc. ​

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will be conducting maintenance on the Ben Sawyer Draw Bridge located near mile marker 460 in the Intracoastal Waterway. The maintenance schedule is listed below. OCTOBER 2-3 Closed for vessel navigation from 9 p.m. through 5.am.
OCTOBER 3-4 Closed for vessel navigation from 9 p.m. through 5.am.
OCTOBER 6-7 Closed for vessel navigation from 9 p.m. through 5.am.
OCTOBER 9-10 Closed for vessel navigation from 9 p.m. through 5.am

Mariners are urged to plan transits accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions. For more details, please contact project manager John Bergman at: (843) 302-7442. 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.

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CHARLESTON ENTRANCE CHANNEL During a recent U.S. Army Corp bottom survey of the Charleston Entrance Channel an isolated anomaly was located approximately 175' from the southern edge of Charleston Entrance Channel between Lighted Buoy 13 and Lighted Buoy 15. Observed depth: 43.8 feet MLLW. Approximate location: Lat 32-42- 32.5287 N Long 079-47-2.6626 W. Mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting this area. Deep draft vessels are urged to observe one way traffic in the vicinity of stated area. 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. 

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At 0825 EDT on September 12, 2017, Sector Charleston Captain of the Port
(COTP) set port condition 4 for the Sector Charleston COTP Zone.  Ports are
open and all Hurricane IRMA related restrictions are lifted. 
 
Due to potential effects from Hurricane IRMA throughout coastal South
Carolina, mariners are urged to transit with caution considering the
possibility of Aids to Navigation discrepancies or other hazards to
navigation.  If discovered, please report any of these issues to the United
States Coast Guard. 
 
For Heavy Weather Advisory Group (HWAG) or Waterway specific questions,
contact: (843) 323-7761 or (843) 740-3184.
 
For Facility or Vessel specific questions, contact: (843) 740-3186 or (843)
514-1009.
 
For Coast Guard related emergencies, contact Sector Charleston Command
Center at: (843) 740-7050.

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​SECTOR CHARLESTON PORT CONDITION X-RAY HURRICANE IRMA MSIB 33-17
 
At 2000 EDT on September 8, 2017, Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Charleston will set port condition X-Ray for the Sector Charleston COTP Zone due to the forecasted arrival of sustained gale force winds from IRMA within 48 hours. 
 
All ocean-going commercial vessels and ocean-going barges greater than 500 gross tons must complete operations and safely depart the Sector Charleston COTP zone prior to 2000 EDT, September 10, 2017.  By 1200 EDT, September 9, 2017, or at the time of the Notice of Arrival, those vessels unable to comply with the above timeline must contact Coast Guard Sector Charleston to receive permission to remain in port and are required to submit a departure plan and a safe mooring plan, if applicable, in writing that can be executed within 12 hours.  The timeline for the requirements above is subject to change based on updated port-specific weather forecasts.
 
Port facilities are advised to review their heavy weather plans and continue to take all necessary precautions to adequately prepare for the forecasted wind and storm surge.  Mariners can view the latest port updates on the Coast Guard's Homeport site.
 
For Heavy Weather Advisory Group (HWAG) or Waterway specific questions, contact: (843) 323-7761 or (843) 740-3184.
 
For Facility and Vessel specific questions, contact: (843) 740-3186 or (843) 514-1009.
 
For Coast Guard related emergencies, contact Sector Charleston Command Center at: (843) 740-7050.

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SECTOR CHARLESTON: PORT CONDITION WHISKEY HURRICANE IRMA
 
At 1200 EST on September 7, 2017, Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Charleston set port condition Whiskey for the Sector Charleston COTP zone due to the anticipated arrival of sustained gale force winds within 72 hours from IRMA. 
 
Ports are safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. All ocean-going commercial vessels and ocean-going barges greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the port. Vessels that meet above criteria desiring permission to remain in port for the duration of IRMA must contact the COTP and provide an acceptable safe mooring plan by 1200 EST on September 8, 2017.
 
There are no additional port restrictions in effect during Port Condition Whiskey.
 
Vessels bound for ports within the Sector Charleston COTP zone unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination.
 
Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Drawbridges may not be operating if sustained winds reach 25 mph or when an evacuation is in progress. Port facilities are advised to review their heavy weather plans and take all necessary precautions to adequately prepare for the expected wind and storm surge. Mariners can view the latest port updates on the Coast Guard’s Homeport site
 
For Heavy Weather Advisory Group (HWAG) or Waterway specific questions please contact: (843) 323-7761.
 
For Facility and Vessel specific questions contact: (843)740-3186 or (843)302-4240.
 
For Coast Guard related emergencies please contact Sector Charleston Command Center at: (843) 740-7050.

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