The following is the text of a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico) — Coast Guard Sector San Juan Alternate Captain of the Port, Capt. David Flaherty, raised port restrictions and set Port Condition Four in the U.S. Virgin Islands and northern ports of Puerto Rico Wednesday morning, following the passing of Tropical Strom Chantal south of the islands.
The southern ports of Puerto Rico including, Guayama, Salinas, Ponce, Guayanilla, Tallaboa, Guanica and Mayaguez remain in Port Condition Zulu, closed to inbound and outbound commercial vessel traffic, until port assessments and safety checks are completed.
Coast Guard Port Assessment Teams aboard Coast Guard vehicles, response boats and MH-65 Dolphin helicopters are aggressively working to assess the navigable waterways and safely reopen the southern ports of Puerto Rico as soon as possible.
Ports returning to Port Condition Four in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico may resume normal port operations, including waterfront facility and vessel transits, subject to prudent seamanship and safe work practices.
