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Mayport First Tsunami Ready Navy Base

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071127-17
Release Date: 11/27/2007 6:41:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Daniel Gay, Fleet Public Affairs Center Detachment Southeast

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Station (NS) Mayport was recognized by the National Weather Service as the nation's first Navy base to achieve TsunamiReady® status.

NS Mayport was awarded the honor during a ceremony on base Nov. 26.

"The advanced warning and notification features, now in place, will allow our harbor assets and naval vessels adequate time to prepare for the potential influx of millions of tons of tsunami water into our basin," said Capt. Aaron L. Bowman, NS Mayport's commanding officer.

For NS Mayport to receive the TsunamiReady® designation it had to establish a 24-hour warning point; develop multiple ways to receive tsunami warnings and alert the public; develop a formal tsunami hazard plan; conduct emergency exercises; and promote public readiness through community education.

"We have in place the capability to receive the [tsunami] notifications, and the capability to project mass notifications that a tsunami has occurred and might affect Northeast Florida," said Steve Millican, emergency management officer for NS Mayport. "Being TsunamiReady® really enhances our ability to protect our personnel and our community."

Bowman said the base has procedures to quickly evacuate personnel from buildings and spaces near the basin, to secure ship's hotel services and keep tugs on standby to assist the vessels.

NS Mayport is the third largest naval base in the continental United States and covers 3,400 acres. It is home to over 80 commands and serves as homeport to 21 ships.