United States Coast Guard 5th District Mid Atlan : Coast Guard sets ice condition 2 in Hampton Roads, plans to close Capes to vessel traffic

News Release

Jan. 3, 2018 U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic Contact: 5th District Public Affairs Office: [phone] After Hours: [phone] 5th District online newsroom

Coast Guard sets ice condition 2 in Hampton Roads, plans to close Capes to vessel traffic

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Captain of the Port set ice condition two and plans to close the Capes to inbound and outbound vessel traffic at 6 p.m. today.

Ice condition two is set when there is significant formation of ice in navigable waters. Ice has been reported on Virginia's Eastern Shore and in the Chesapeake Bay tributaries.

Coast Guard Cutter Chock, homeported in Baltimore, is currently underway to conduct ice-breaking and other relief efforts in the vicinity of Tangier Island.

Mariners are requested to use extreme caution when transiting and to report any observation of ice accumulation on navigable waters to the Sector Hampton Roads Command Center on marine radio VHF-FM channel 16 or at 757-668- 6635. These reports will be monitored daily.

The Port will remain open to all vessel traffic and commercial activities without limitations until 6 p.m.

'The impending blizzard will cause a variety of maritime hazards, including strong winds, zero visibility, topside icing and heavy seas,' said Capt. Rick Wester, Sector Hampton Roads Captain of the Port. 'Mariners should secure their vessels, stow any loose equipment, monitor updates and most importantly, stay off the water.'

For more information about the port closure, or to request a media interview, please contact Lt. j.g. Stasia Ellis at 757-651-5835.

-USCG-