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Leadership Prepares Mayport Ships Throughout Hurricane Season

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080910-04
Release Date: 9/10/2008 6:12:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alan Gragg, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/U.S. 4th Fleet helps prepare Mayport ships for tropical storms and hurricanes, which has been especially important this season.

Hurricane season runs June 1 - Nov. 30. During that time NAVSO/4th Fleet works closely with U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. 2nd Fleet and Naval Station Mayport to prepare ships to get underway to avoid wind and water damage when a hurricane or tropical storm is expected to hit Mayport.

U.S. 2nd Fleet designates NAVSO/4th Fleet Commander, Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, as commander, Task Force 183, the Mayport sortie commander.

"We coordinate closely with the Fleet Forces Command, 2nd Fleet and the base in regards to what the ships are going to do in the event of a hurricane or storm," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael H. Smith, NAVSO Surface Operations officer. "Ultimately, [Kernan], the Mayport sortie commander, decides whether to sortie or not."

When the sortie commander sets the last of three sortie conditions, Sortie Condition Alpha, Mayport's ships head into the Atlantic, under the operational control of 2nd Fleet.

"The conditions are set so ships can gradually become ready to sortie at a moment's notice," said Chief Aerographer's Mate (AW) Michael P. Smith, NAVSO/4th fleet meteorology and oceanography/operations chief petty officer.

The first sortie condition is set when 50-knot winds and 12-foot-high seas are predicted in Mayport. Under Sortie Condition Charlie, ships prepare to sortie in approximately 48 hours. Sortie Condition Bravo is set when ships should be prepared to get underway in 24 hours.

As the storm or hurricane approaches, The NAVSO/4th Fleet Operations Department advises Kernan on what sortie conditions should be set. Once the ships are underway, Naval Maritime Forecast Center Norfolk coordinates with 2nd Fleet to determine a location away from the predicted path of the hurricane or storm where ships can safely sail.

NAVSO is the Navy component of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). U.S. 4th Fleet is the numbered Fleet assigned to NAVSO and exercises operational responsibility for U.S. Navy units that temporarily operate in the SOUTHCOM area of focus, which encompasses Latin America and surrounding waters. NAVSO acts in concert with other SOUTHCOM components, coalition forces, and Joint Task Forces to promote peace, stability and prosperity in Latin America.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.