Coast Guard crews conduct post Hurricane Florence operations in Longs, S.C.

Petty Officer 1st Class Derek Weatherly, crew member with the Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team, from Fort Dix, New Jersey, explains what he, his crew and his agency partners are doing to support post Hurricane Florence flooding operations Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, in Longs, South Carolina. Coast Guard crews from across the U.S. are strategically relocating personnel and assets for Hurricane Florence post-storm response. (U.S. Coast Guard video)

Petty Officer 1st Class Derek Weatherly, crew member with the Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team, from Fort Dix, New Jersey, explains what he, his crew and his agency partners are doing to support post Hurricane Florence flooding operations Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, in Longs, South Carolina. Coast Guard crews from across the U.S. are strategically relocating personnel and assets for Hurricane Florence post-storm response. (U.S. Coast Guard video)

Captain of the Port establishes safety zone in the vicinity of the Santee-Cooper ash pond in Conway, SC.

Charleston, SC - by Coast Guard PA - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) set a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Waccamaw River in the vicinity of the Santee-Cooper ash pond in Conway, S.C., effective 7 a.m., Saturday through Oct. 19 or waters recede.

State and Federal authorities have determined that potential hazards associated with and resulting from high waters of the Waccamaw River are present in the area and that vessel traffic will increase the potential of severely degrading flood berms adjacent to the Santee-Cooper ash ponds. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters of the Waccamaw River between U.S. Business Highway 501 and U.S. Highway 501 in Conway.

To seek permission to enter the safety zone, contact the Coast Guard via VHF-FM channel 16, or through Coast Guard Sector Charleston’s command center at 843-740-7050. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP’s designated representatives.

Designated representative means a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officers operating a Coast Guard vessel and a federal, state or local officer designated by or assisting the COTP in the enforcement of the safety zones.

This Marine Safety Information Bulletin can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761, the Sector’s 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050, or the Horry County Emergency Operations Center at (843) 915-5150.