The College of Charleston is sponsoring the 2017 ICSA Sailing Nationals from May 22, 2017 through June 3, 2017. The event will consist of approximately 36 college sailing teams aboard small sailing vessels racing in the Charleston Harbor, Charleston SC. The races will be held at various times throughout daylight hours. Mariners are urged to use caution while transiting the area.  The following positions will be used for the race area:

(1)    32° 47' 58" N, 79° 54' 29" W.
(2)    32° 47' 58" N, 79° 54' 53" W.
(3)    32° 47' 15" N, 79° 54' 53" W.
(4)    32° 47' 15" N, 79° 54' 29" W.

If you need additional information please contact Mr. Greg Fisher at: (410)-212-4916.

For Coast Guard related issues please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at: (843) 740-3188 or our 24-hour Command Center Line at: (843) 740-7050.

MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN 12-17
2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1, 2017 and officially runs through November 30th, 2017.  Accordingly, the Captain of the Port (COTP) Charleston has implemented the following measures throughout all of South Carolina's ports:
 
1.  When tropical storm force winds (sustained winds of 39 mph/34 kts or greater) threaten the Ports of South Carolina, the COTP will set heavy weather port conditions and modify (or stop) vessel traffic movements.  The COTP will announce changes to port conditions via a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) and a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM).  Heavy weather port conditions are as follows:
 
WHISKEY- (72 hours prior to tropical force winds) This condition is set when tropical storm force winds
(39 mph/34 kts) or greater are expected within 72 hours.  Major actions include reassessing lay-up plans, meeting with stakeholders and conducting port assessments.
 
X-RAY-(48 hours prior to tropical force winds) This condition is set when tropical storm force winds
(39 mph/34 kts) or greater are expected within 48 hours.  The COTP will finalize review of lay-up plans, assess the port and hold further meetings with stakeholders.
 
YANKEE- (24 hours prior to tropical force winds) This condition is set when tropical storm force winds
(39 mph/34 kts) or greater are expected within 24 hours.  The COTP will implement vessel movement restrictions including stopping inbound vessel traffic. 
 
ZULU- (12 hours prior to tropical force winds) This condition is set when tropical storm force winds
(39 mph/34 kts) or greater are expected within 12 hours.  The COTP will stop vessel and cargo movements.
 
AFTER STORM PASSAGE- (all clear) The port will be re-opened after a satisfactory assessment has been completed of the ports and waterways, including critical aids to navigation.
 
2.  All vessels, waterfront facilities, and marinas should review their heavy weather plans.  When planning for vessel evacuations, please take into account that drawbridges may not be operating when sustained wind speeds reach 25 mph.  Also, if the Governor of South Carolina orders a land evacuation, you should anticipate that drawbridges will not open for vessel traffic.  Furthermore, services from pilot associations and commercial tug companies may not be immediately available to assist during port evacuations.  Your heavy weather plan should account for these factors to facilitate timely and decisive actions prior to the onset of threatening winds.
 
3.  Due to their geographical features, the Ports of Charleston and Georgetown are not considered safe havens from tropical storms. All vessels greater than 500 gross tons that are unable to put to sea are required to have a heavy weather plan on file with the COTP Charleston.  Please contact the Sector Charleston 24-hour Command Center line at: (843) 740-7050 for more information on obtaining approval to remain in port.
 
4.  Port Recovery:  The COTP will coordinate with local and federal stakeholders to resume port operations in a safe and timely manner.  This effort will include the surveying of aids to navigation, shipping channels, and port facility infrastructure to ensure both safe navigation and the safety and security of waterfront facilities.  The Maritime Association of South Carolina will stand-up a Port Emergency Information Center (PEIC) to assist with disseminating information.  More information about the PEIC can be obtained from the Maritime Association of South Carolina at: http://www.maritimesc.org/.
 
5.  The COTP Charleston Hurricane Port Plan is available at: http://homeport.uscg.mil/charleston and is filed under "Local Contingency Plans".  For additional information on contingency preparedness issues, please contact the Sector Charleston 24-hour Command Center line at: (843) 740-7050.

Click here for the complete MSIB. 

The Ben Sawyer Bridge on the Intracoastal Waterway at mile marker 462 will be closed to marine traffic from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Tuesday May 2 and Wednesday May 3, 2017 in order to conduct required electrical repairs. For questions regarding the closure, please contact Mr. John Bergman at: (843) 302-7442. For Coast Guard related concerns, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at: (843) 740-3188 or our 24-hour Command Center Line at: (843) 740-7050. 

​Click Here for more Information

Time is Running Out
​It may seem like the year is just getting started, but the truth is, our lawmakers have only few working days left in the Legislative Session to make an impact on 2017. Any chance at fixing our broken roads has to be taken in those next few working days.

That’s not a lot of time, and they have too many opportunities to get distracted and cause delay. We can’t let that happen. It’s been 30 years since real action was taken to fund road repairs. Another year, is another year too many.

What can YOU do?

You voted your senator into office to speak for you, so let them know where you stand on the key issues. Let them know that you deserve to drive on safe, well-maintained roads instead of embarrassing, troublesome, even deadly highways.

The Senate is currently debating the roads bill.

Your voice matters.

TAKE ACTION NOW

MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN (MSIB 06-17) Survival Mooring System Installation
Cooper River, Charleston, SC
 
Orion Marine Construction will continue Phase 2 of the installation of a new survival mooring system at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station from April 7, 2017 through June 1, 2017.  This work will involve several diving operations and other various marine construction activities. The installation will be in the approximate positions 32° 56' 27.64" N; 79° 55' 39.54" W and  32° 56' 45.77" N; 79° 55' 43.78" W
 
For additional details, please contact Orion Marine Construction at: (813) 839-8441. 

For Coast Guard related issues please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at:
(843) 740-3188 or our 24-hour Command Center Line at: (843) 740-7050.

Click here to read the complete MSIB. 

PORT OF CHARLESTON NOTICE NO: FY2017-005
Type 23 Temporary Importation Bond Processing
​
TO: Brokers, Importers, and Other Interested Parties 

With the implementation of Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Cargo Release functionality for all entry types and the subsequent policy decision to no longer require paper CBP Forms 3461 or 7501 at the time of entry, a paperless process is needed for Temporary Importation Bond (TIB) entries to replace the export examination decision and stamp required by CBP regulations. While a fully electronic transaction is being planned for this functionality, there is no known date of deployment or development. In the interim, the following steps should be taken by CBP and the trade for all Type 23, TIB entries presented:

• All entries are deemed to be "Export Examination Not Required" at the time of release unless designated otherwise.
• CBP will review submitted Tills on a regular basis to determine the need for export examination.
• To maintain paperless process, fully electronic entries will be designated for examination using the text message "Export Examination Required" via the S070 message set. This will most likely be sent to the filer post release.
• If paper entries are presented, they should continue to be stamped if an export examination is required.
• At the time of export, a completed CBP Form 3495 should be presented at the port of export identifying the shipment to be examined and to record examination completion as per current procedures. In lieu of a stamped CBP Form 3461/7501, the original entry number, date of entry and port of entry information should be provided as well as invoices etc. from original importation.
• CBP will attempt to utilize system information wherever possible but the full automation of this information has not been completed and filers will still need to provide documentation as required.

Trade partners may request an export examination for any shipment where the examination was not required via the same process.

​If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Ms. Joanne Fogg, Assistant Trade Operations, at (843) 579-6508.

​Maritime Professionals:
  
The next meeting of the Southeast U.S. Implementation Team (SEIT) will take place on April 12th and 13th 2017 at the GTM National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  The SEIT Public Forum will be held from 9am-5pm on April 12th in the NERR’s auditorium. 
 
The intention of the Forum is to involve stakeholders in implementation of the North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Plan, to identify partnerships that can help address priority conservation needs, and to efficiently identify key emerging conservation issues. 

Please RSVP to Tom Pitchford at Thomas.Pitchford@myfwc.com or 727.423.8430 by March 31th so that we may have an accurate count for the sponsored lunch. 
 
Meeting Location
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Education Center
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
www.gtmnerr.org
 
Lodging
The hotel for this meeting is the Hampton Inn and Suites in St. Augustine Fl.  Guests should call 904-827-9797  by March 19 using  group code “SEIT” to receive the $119.00 room rate.
 Hampton Inn & Suites
95 Vilano Road, Saint Augustine, Florida, 32084,
TEL: 904-827-9797

Click here for LODGING INFORMATION. 

Marine Safety Information Bulletin 04-17

On March 10, 2017, Marcol Dredging will commence operations on the 26th Street Canal located on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (Mile Marker 457) at Isle of Palms. The dredge CAPTAIN LEO will continue operations on a 24 hour per day, 7 days per week basis until approximately April 2, 2017. Mariners are urged to use caution while transiting the area. 

For on-scene communications, mariners are advised to contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at 843-740-3188 or the 24-hour Command Center Line at 843-740-7050. 

Click here to read the complete MSIB.