SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard cautions recreational boaters, fishermen, beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, Monday, to not conduct activities in the water due to deteriorating sea state conditions and dangerous rip currents associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto.
National Weather Service advisories are alerting tropical storm conditions for the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are expected to begin Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Swells generated by Tropical Storm Ernesto will likely begin to affect portions of the Leeward Islands beginning Monday night which could last throughout the week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
A storm surge is also predicted to raise water levels by as much as one to three feet above ground level for the eastern coast of Puerto Rico from San Juan to Guayama, including the islands of Culebra and Vieques and in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas, St.John, and St. Croix.
“We urge the public and the maritime community to stay safe and not underestimate the impacts of this storm,” said Capt. Luis Rodriguez, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander. “We expect life threatening surf and rip currents and projected sea states throughout the week which could reduce our ability to respond to a maritime distress with the full use of our resources. Secure your vessels in a timely manner and before conditions deteriorate. Stay out of the water until conditions normalize, monitor marine weather forecasts and heed National Weather Service advisories.”
Currently, the Coast Guard Port Condition status for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands remains at Port Condition X-Ray. During Port Condition X-Ray, the ports remain open to vessel traffic and facilities are reminded to review their heavy weather response plans and make any preparations needed to weather any storm that may approach the area. The Coast Guard is monitoring Tropical Storm Ernesto and will communicate any changes in the Port Condition status as required. For the most current information on port condition updates in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands visit https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/san-juan.
The Coast Guard Rescue Sub-Center contact number to report a distress or rescue situation in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands is 787-289-2041, and VHF Channel 16 is the international distress frequency to report maritime emergencies. Social media is not an appropriate means of reporting distress.
The Coast Guard reminds public and recreational boaters of the following safety messages:
• Stay clear of beaches. Wave heights and currents typically increase before a storm makes landfall. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by hurricanes. Swimmers should stay clear of beaches until local lifeguards and law enforcement officials say the water is safe.
• Beware of rip currents. A rip current is a powerful channel of water that flows quickly away from shore. They often occur at low spots or breaks in the sandbar. Any object or person caught in a rip current can be pulled out into deeper seas. If you become caught in a rip current, do not panic. The way to escape a rip current is to swim parallel to the shore. Once you are away from the force of the rip current, begin to swim back to the beach. Do not attempt to swim directly against the current, as you can become easily exhausted, even if you are a strong swimmer.
• Secure belongings. Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or to sustaining damage. Trailer-able boats should be taken out of the water and stored in a place not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to remove EPIRBs and to secure life rings, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not properly secured, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources be diverted to ensure people are not in distress.
• Be prepared. Area residents should be prepared by developing a family plan, creating a disaster supply kit, having a place to go, securing their home and having a plan for pets. Information can be found at the National Hurricane Center’s webpage.
• Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of the storm through local television, radio and Internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF radio channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF radio channel 16.
For the latest forecast advisories and weather updates for Tropical Storm Ernesto, visit the National Hurricane Center website. For hurricane readiness information, check out the resources available in multiple languages at Ready.gov and FEMA’s website.
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