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Port Canaveral closed Wednesday morning, as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches Florida’s east coast.
Jacksonville-based U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. J.D. Rose, who is the acting captain of the port, on Tuesday morning put Port Canaveral at “Port Condition Zulu.”
That means sustained gale force winds are predicted within 12 hours.
“Port Canaveral is closed, and has ceased all waterside and vessel shoreside Port operations until further notice,” the port said in a statement.
In earlier developments, Port Canaveral on Monday afternoon ordered an evacuation of ships in port that are less than 500 tons, because of the approach of Nicole and its anticipated storm surge.
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In a statement, the port said: “Port Canaveral is not suitable for refuge during a hurricane. All vessels under 500 gross tons may not remain in the waters of Port Canaveral.”
“It’s been a parade through the locks, with boats getting out of here,” Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer John Murray said.
Cruise ship impact
One cruise ship has altered its plans related to Port Canaveral because of Nicole. The New Jersey-based Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas — which is based at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey — is bypassing a port-of-call stop at Port Canaveral that was scheduled for Tuesday.
Port Canaveral did not have any cruise ship sailings scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday. It has three scheduled on Friday, four on Saturday and five on Sunday.
“Hopefully, we’re back up and open by the time they come in,” Murray said.
Casino ship not operating
Victory Casino Cruises Marketing Manager Shirley Price Buchanan said the Port Canaveral-based Victory 1 casino ship likely will not sail from through Friday because of the storm.
The ship also did not sail last Saturday and Sunday because of high seas, and it does not sail on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Cargo operations disrupted
Port Canaveral officials said the storm also is disrupting scheduled cargo ship arrivals at the port.
Murray said the port is preparing for high water from the combination of the storm, so-called “king tides” and the recent full moon.
“So, by the time the surge gets here, we are anticipating that some of our docks may get some water over the top,” Murray said.
After the storm passes, Murray said, port officials and the Coast Guard will inspect the port and the shipping channel to be sure the port is in a condition to reopen, there is no shoaling in the harbor and the navigational aids are still in their proper position.
Murray said the port has been working on storm planning with its “unified command,” which includes the Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and Canaveral Fire Rescue.
“We basically button up the port before the storm arrives,” Murray said. “Our goal was to prevent any boats breaking loose and damaging any of the port infrastructure or, specifically, that (State Road) 401 bridge that is so close to the water.”
Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bydaveberman.
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