VIRGINIA BEACH: The U.S. Coast Guard has reopened the Port of Virginia, after closing it Monday ahead of overnight storms. The closure was effective as of 9 p.m. Monday, which meant, vessels could not enter or leave the Chesapeake Bay. The Coast Guard said vessels at 5,000 gross tons or greater were prohibited from moving within the bay unless the captain of the port gave permission.
The port re-opened at 8:40 Tuesday morning. “The Port of Virginia is now open without restrictions,” Capt. Rick Wester, the captain of the port, said in a statement. “However, as long as adverse weather conditions exist, I strongly urge all mariners to exercise caution, be mindful of developing forecasts and report any potential hazards to navigation.”