Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 28 - Ports and Airports
Part 301 - Operations and Procedures Manual of the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport
Chapter 35 - Hurricane Readiness Procedures
Rule 28-301-35.8 - Condition-Related Preparation

1. The Port's Operations Department will cause tenants and customers to make every effort to secure or remove non-utilized or non-essential equipment or products (e.g., pallets, gear, dunnage, etc.).

2. The Chief Operations Officer or his or her designee and the Director of Operations will collectively decide, or if the Chief Operations Officer or his or her designee is unavailable, the Director of Operations will decide, to make arrangements as necessary, for emergency services and equipment to be made available to the Port on a contingency basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief Operations Officer or his or her designee will decide to make arrangements for emergency services and equipment to be made available to the Port on a contingency basis if the Director of Operations is unavailable.

3. The Director of Operations will make or cause to be made an inventory list of supplies, materials, and equipment that are necessary to perform any and all tasks that may be required in an emergency situation. The inventory list will be submitted to the Port's Finance and Administration Office for appropriate purchase.

4. The External Affairs Department will prepare an emergency contact list with the names and telephone numbers of key personnel to be distributed to the employees of the Port Authority for use during the recovery phase.

1. The Operations Department will notify tenants, stevedore companies, vessel masters, owners, and agents in the main harbor, and Port Authority personnel that Condition 4 (WHISKEY) is in effect.

2. The Chief Operating Officer and Director of Operations, will, as they determine, procure any additional materials needed for the possible hurricane or tropical storm. The Finance and Administration Department will prepare and proceed with any and all purchases for supplies, materials, and equipment deemed necessary in the event of a hurricane.

3. The Deputy Director of Operations will prepare a list of expected vessel arrivals and sailings. All expected vessel movements will be confirmed with the vessel masters, owners, or agents. The Deputy Director of Operations or his or her designee will ensure that vessels and tenants complete cargo operations within 36 hours prior to the predicted landfall of the storm and vacate the Port, as directed by the U.S. Coast Guard and/or Port Authority.

4. The Director of Operations will notify the users of the Port and tenants at the Port to remove sensitive cargoes from the Port to a safe location.

5. The Port Authority will cause tenants and customers to submit a plan to the Port Authority for securing and/or removing equipment, containers, and general cargoes.

6. The Director of Operations will contact the masters, owners, and agents of oceangoing vessels at the Port to request that ocean-going vessels be removed to a safe haven. The Director of Operations will ensure that masters, owners, and agents of all ocean-going vessels and U.S. Coast Guard regulated barges advise the U.S. Coast Guard and the Deputy Director of Operations of the Port Authority of their intentions and schedule for departing the Port. The Director of Operations and the COTP must approve the decision of any vessel to remain in the Port, and, before approving such decision, the Director of Operations will ensure that such vessel has submitted a heavy weather mooring plan to the U.S. Coast Guard for approval and acceptance.

7. The Director of Operations will notify ship owners and agents, Gulfport Towing, and the Gulfport Pilots Association that any ocean-going vessel with an estimated time of arrival at the Port of less than 72 hours prior to predicted hurricane force winds should be directed elsewhere to seek shelter.

8. The Port Authority Crane Manager will secure all cranes and conveyors pursuant to manufacturer specifications.

9. Employees of the Port Authority and local emergency management officials will be notified of the location of the Port Authority Command Center, if applicable.

10. The Administration and Finance Department shall prepare, as determined necessary within the discretion of same Department, for evacuation of the Port Authority's records. Computers and related equipment will be removed from the Operation and Maintenance buildings. Any transportation needed by the Administration and Finance Department for evacuation of records and/or equipment will be arranged by the Operations Department.

1. The Operations Department notify tenants, stevedore companies, vessel masters, owners, and agents in the main harbor and Port Authority personnel that Condition 3 (X-RAY) is in effect.

2. The Director of Operations will notify service providers and contractors to stand by for contingent assignments at the Port, and will distribute the Port Authority's vehicles and emergency equipment to assigned personnel, as necessary.

3. The Port Authority will not allow an ocean-going vessel into the Port after the setting of Hurricane Alert Condition 3 (X-RAY).

4. The Director of Operations will contact the masters, owners, and agents of oceangoing vessels at the Port and request that such vessels be removed to a safe location. The Director of Operations will request masters, owners, and agents of all oceangoing and U.S. Coast guard regulated-vessels to advise the U.S. Coast Guard and the Deputy Director of Operations of the Port Authority of their intentions and schedule for departing the Port. The Port Authority must approve any vessel's decision to remain in the Port, and will ensure that any such remaining vessel has provided a heavy weather mooring plan to the Coast Guard for approval.

5. Upon recommendation of the Chief Operations Officer and Director of Operations, and in consultation with the PEAT, the Executive Director may order vessels to evacuate the Port despite the vessel master's, owner's, or agent's desire to remain in Port. If an evacuation is not ordered, or a vessel cannot evacuate, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Director of Operations, in consultation with PEAT and the vessel's master, owner, and/or agent, will establish a storm mooring system for the vessel which must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

6. The Director of Operations will cause tenants and customers at the Port to be notified to secure and/or remove their equipment, containers, and general cargoes.

7. Cargo operations will be ordered to cease by the Operations Department of the Port Authority prior to the entry of Condition 2 (YANKEE).

8. The Operations Department will inspect Port areas and finalize preparations for the storm. Upon completion of the inspection and any remaining cargo operations, the Chief Operations Officer, Director of Operations, or Executive Director will declare the Port closed to all personnel and vessels, and will inform the Harrison County Emergency Management Agency that the Port is closed.

1. The Operations Department notify tenants, stevedore companies, vessel masters, owners, and agents in the main harbor, and Port Authority personnel, that Condition 2 (YANKEE) is in effect.

2. The Operations Department will notify the Mississippi Gaming Commission that the Port has declared Condition 2 (YANKEE).

3. Designated Port Authority personnel will establish emergency communications with the Harrison County Emergency Management Agency.

4. It is anticipated that the Harrison County Emergency Management Agency will require the evacuation of all persons south of Highway 90.

1. The Port Authority will continue emergency communications with the Harrison County Emergency Management Agency. The Harrison County Emergency Management Agency shall be provided names of any personnel remaining at the Port, and the names of vessels and their owners, agents, and crews remaining on a vessel.

2. The Finance and Administration Department will contact all Port Commissioners, officers, and employees to determine their availability for post-storm recovery actions. A full list of names and telephone numbers of Port Commissioners, directors, and employees will be supplied to the Port Authority's representative at the Harrison County Emergency Operations Agency, and the Port Authority Executive Director and Deputy Director of Operations.

3. It is anticipated that the Coast Guard will order that all waterways in the Mobile Area of Responsibility be secured.

1. The Port Authority's designated representatives will maintain regular contact with all personnel of the Port Authority, if possible.

2. All Port Authority employees will comply with all directions provided by the Harrison County Management Agency.