SAIPAN — The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port set Port Heavy Weather Condition Whiskey for the ports of Saipan and Tinian effective 6:30 a.m. Saturday, reopening both ports to commercial traffic and cargo operations.
Saudel no longer threatens the ports, the Coast Guard said, though mariners are urged to transit the area with caution in the event of any shifting or shoaling within the channel.
Mariners should report any Aids to Navigation discrepancies to the Coast Guard Forces Micronesia and Sector Guam Command Center on VHF channels 16 or 22A, or by phone at (671) 355-4821.
Questions about Port Condition Whiskey can be directed to the Coast Guard Forces Micronesia and Sector Guam Prevention Department at (671) 355-4835 or preventionguam@uscg.mil. Weather questions can go to the National Weather Service at 211 or (671) 472-0900.
The reopening closes a three-step sequence for the ports during the Saudel arc. The Coast Guard set Port Condition X-Ray on Thursday, escalated to Yankee that evening, and has now stepped down to Whiskey.
