The Area Maritime Security Committee is collecting data to assess the resilience of the regional Maritime Transportation System (MTS).  The processed data will be used as input into the Resumption of Trade Plan (RTP) currently being developed for the Northeast Florida Region. This data will also help identify additional initiatives that will enhance recovery capabilities of the regional port community and improve the resiliency of the region.

Please help support this initiative by completing this quick 9 question survey.  Your participation is appreciated!

If your company does not have a Continuity of Operations Plan, you may want to complete this template. It is a very basic document that will help you gather critical information to ensure personnel, physical, and information security and reconstitution in the event of a disaster. This document will help you create your own Business Continuity Plan after answering a few simple questions and will take only 15 minutes to complete. 

2011 Hurricane Season

November 30th marked the end of the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The Captain of the Port has set Port Hurricane Condition V.

Even though the past few years have been relatively quiet, port interests should verify their plans are up-to-date and ready for execution before the start of the 2012 season. Several important documents and links are available on the JMTX website as part of our Hurricane Info webpage. This includes the 2011 Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Heavy Weather Plan. The full plan contains 170 pages of information and is recommended reading for our port interests. At a minimum, port interests should be very familiar with Chapter 3 of the plan that addresses Port Preparedness and Post Storm Actions. This 16-page extract includes the specific actions that port interests must complete during each change of Port Hurricane Condition. Port interests should also be familiar with Annex F - Vessel Sortie Guidelines,  Annex H - The remain in Port request form and Annex N Post Storm Condition Reporting form.

Right Whale Update

Maritime Professionals:
 

All maritime interests are reminded the right whale migration and calving season has begun along the Atlantic seaboard. The Mid-Atlantic Seasonal Management Areas and the associated speed restrictions of 10 kts became effective for Mid-Atlantic coast ports from Long Island Sound to Savannah on November 1, 2011 and will remain in place through April 30, 2012. 

The Southeast U.S. Seasonal Management Area which includes the ports of Brunswick, Fernandina and Jacksonville, became effective Tuesday, November 15, 2011 and will remain in place through April 15, 2012.

Specific dimensions for the Seasonal Management Area and the applicable rules are available on NOAA Fisheries Service Compliance Guide along with additional important information from NOAA at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike/

Mandatory Ship Reporting in WHALESSOUTH In Effect

In addition to the speed restrictions, vessels of 300 GT or greater operating into the ports of  Brunswick, Fernandina and Jacksonville must also comply with the Mandatory Ship Reporting System rules. This requirement starts on November 15th.

Use of Recommended Two-Way Traffic Routes

Mariners are also strongly encouraged to utilize the recommended two-way routes to reduce the likelihood of vessel strikes in those areas where routes have been established in Cape Cod Bay and in the Southeast Seasonal Management Area off Brunswick, Fernandina and Jacksonville. 

Whale Alert System

Mariners can be alerted of real-time sightings information via e-mail through the Whale Alerts System. Right whale sightings from survey aircraft are distributed to critical maritime interests by port region. To protect whales from curious boaters, these sighting alerts are not available to the public. However, if you have direct vessel management/navigational responsibilities we can include your office, dispatch center or vessel on the sighting distribution. To subscribe to the sighting distribution please provide JMTX with the following information:

Your Name
Your Company
Your contact info: phone/email
E-Mail address for sightings:  (may be multiple)
Port regions: (Jacksonville/Fernandina, Brunswick, Savannah, Charleston, and/or Wilmington)

Shipboard Right Whale Protection Program Notebooks Available

In addition to the web based information above, NOAA Fisheries Service has prepared "Shipboard Right Whale Protection Program" loose-leaf notebook that includes general guidelines for vessels operating where right whales may be present. This notebook includes the latest version of the "Prudent Mariner's Guide to Right Whale Protection" CD. Copies of these notebooks are available at the Maritime Associations in Savannah and Charleston, the Marine Exchange in Jacksonville, and at the Coast Guard Sector in Wilmington, NC. If you need additional information about the availability of the program notebooks, feel free to contact Jim McLaughlin at NArightwhales@gmail.com.

Special Note to Vessel Agents

Even though this is the start of the fourth season of Seasonal Management speed restrictions, some vessels may still not be fully aware of the requirements. With current active enforcement with significant penalties for vessels failing to comply with the speed restrictions, it is important you make every effort to ensure your vessel principals are informed of the speed rules and MSR requirements well before their arrivals at east coast ports.

The successful recovery of the North Atlantic Right Whale is dependent on the continued support and vigilance of the commercial maritime community. Thank you for your continued protection of these remarkable animals.

2011 Jacksonville Maritime Classic

The 2011 Jacksonville Maritime Classic Golf Tournament was held on Wednesday, October 26th at the Amelia National Golf Club in Fernandina Beach.  We had a great event and we look forward to seeing you again in 2012.  Congratulations to the following teams:

1st Place - Jaxport - Roy Schleicher, Steve Rand, John Callihan & Stuart Impey.  (58)

2nd Place - St. Johns Bar Pilots Association - Jay Winegeart, Joe Heath, Chip Drobnie & Ross Adolph. (60)

3rd Place - IntraCoastal Environmental - Chuck Nevin, Michael Oakman, Jay Taylor & Subu Subramanian. (61)