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Hawaii-based ships sortie ahead of Tropical Storm Olivia

10 September 2018

From Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

U.S. Navy ships and submarines not currently undergoing maintenance availabilities have sortied as Tropical Storm Olivia travels toward the Hawaiian Islands.

PEARL HARBOR - Rear Adm. Brian Fort, commander, Navy Region Hawaii/ Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, announced that U.S. Navy ships and submarines based in Hawaii not currently undergoing maintenance availabilities have sortied as Tropical Storm Olivia travels toward the Hawaiian Islands.

Ships that sortied will be positioned to help respond after the storm, if needed.

"Sortie of our Pearl Harbor-based ships allows them the most protection from the approaching storm," said Fort. "An early sortie allows them enough time to transit safely out of the path of the storm."

The Navy ordered a sortie in order to reduce the risk of significant damage to ships and piers during potential high winds and seas caused by Tropical Storm Olivia. Some ships will not get underway, due to various maintenance availabilities, and are taking extra precautions to avoid potential damage.

Commanding officers have a number of options when staying in port, depending on the severity of the weather. Some of these options include adding additional mooring and storm lines, dropping the anchor, and disconnecting shore power cables.

Personnel in Navy Region Hawaii, including on Oahu and Kauai, should follow hurricane awareness and preparedness guidelines established by city/county and state government. Navy Region Hawaii and its installations - Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam and Pacific Missile Range Facility - Provide updated information on Facebook sites:

At the beginning of hurricane season in early June Navy Region Hawaii provided detailed information in the region/base newspaper Ho'okele for service members, civilian workforce and families. Information included preparing a disaster supply kit, creating a family emergency communication plan and knowing where to go if ordered to evacuate:

Additional information for families is available online at the Navy Region Hawaii website, via the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Weather Service.

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