28 Miss. Code. R. 301-35.10 - Aftermath and Recovery

Following a tropical storm or hurricane striking near the Port, the mission of the Port Authority is to:

A. First, help local, State, and federal emergency agencies in the immediate protection of life and safety of the public. Second, with the assistance of appropriate State and federal agencies, reestablish commercial, deep-water cargo activities at the facilities of the Port. Third, reestablish other business activities at the Port.

B. Following a hurricane or tropical storm striking near the Port, all employees of the Port Authority will attempt to contact their respective supervisors within six (6) hours of the storm passing inland. All employees are expected to return to work as soon as practicable and feasible, but should exercise caution in traveling back to work. All employees are needed as soon as possible for recovery efforts; therefore, employees should attempt to contact their respective supervisors for recovery effort schedule information. Each employee will be provided with an emergency contact list to use as needed prior to and after the storm.

A. The following recovery process will be followed for placing the Port back into operation:

1. If the Port Authority has established a Temporary Command Center, the Executive Director, all senior directors, and consulting engineers will assemble at the Port Authority's Temporary Command Center as soon as possible following the storm passing inland. Any member unable to travel to the Command Center will contact the Command Center by telephone, if possible.

2. Communications will be reestablished with the Coast Guard COTP, Mobile, the Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Office in Mobile, and the Army Corp of Engineers in Mobile to coordinate with PEAT and in consultation with the Gulfport Pilots Association.

3. The Operations Department will, as soon as possible, report to the main West Gates at the Port. No one will be permitted to enter the Port without prior approval of a Port Director. Engineering and maintenance personnel will, as soon as possible, report to the West Terminal Operations Offices for job assignments in conducting a full condition survey of the Port.

4. When possible, a full condition survey will be made of all Port facilities and navigation leading to and from the Port. The results of this condition survey need to be transmitted to the applicable parties immediately after its completion. The Port will be reopened to inbound and outbound traffic at the completion of the survey, and when the U.S. Coast Guard and the Gulfport Pilots Association deem the channel safe for transit. Should a tropical storm or hurricane restrict navigation in or around the Port, the U.S. Coast Guard is to be informed so that a Notice to Mariners may be issued indicating same.

5. The Executive Director or his or her designee will establish contact with appropriate municipal, county, State, and federal authorities to seek assistance for early reactivation of the Port and to offer assistance when possible.

6. A special meeting of the Board of Port Commissioners will be called when practicable to review damage reports and plans for restoration of Port operations.

Notes

28 Miss. Code. R. 301-35.10

Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21

Amended 12/3/2020