The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Port Arthur has initiated a port advisory for the storm system that’s approaching the Gulf Coast.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, Capt. Jacqueline Twomey, captain of the port, set into place restrictions with the expectation that tropical winds would visit the coastal waterways within 48 hours, including at the ports at Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, Sabine Pass and Lake Charles.

The restrictions included:

• All cargo transfers must be done before sustained winds reach 35 mph.
• Commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons intending to remain in port must contact the captain of the port and submit a checklist for approval.
• Vessels that can’t depart before the port is closed should seek another destination.

The captain said that vessels seeking safe harbor should anchor in the northern part of the waterway in ways to not impede traffic. Fishing vessels should moor north of Texaco Island Intersection.

The captain’s notice said that tropical force winds were expected by Friday morning.