Before you Arrive

Getting Here is Half the Fun
Interstate 95 is the most direct route to this area and you can reach the base by taking Exits 1, 3 or 6. Exit 1 takes you down St. Marys Road and ends at the Franklin Gate. From Exit 3, take Georgia State Highway 40 east toward St. Marys and turn left onto Kings Bay Road, which will take you to the Stimson Gate. Exit 6, Laurel Island Parkway, also leads to Kings Bay Road and to the Stimson Gate.

For those who choose to fly, Jacksonville International Airport is approximately 30 miles south of the base off Interstate 95.

Vehicle Registration
Motor vehicles, privately owned and operated on the base by military and civilian personnel, or their family members, must be registered at the Stimson Gate Pass and ID office. Valid decals from other military activities will be honored for 30 days with PCS orders. After that, a Kings Bay decal must be affixed to the vehicle.

The Stimson Gate Pass and ID office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Franklin Gate Pass and ID office hours are Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Car owners must meet the following minimum requirements to be issued a base decal:
1) Possess a current vehicle registration.
2) Possess a valid state driver's license.
3) Provide proof of liability insurance.

Motorcycle operators must meet the same minimum requirements as stated above. In addition, motorcyclists must provide proof of attendance of classroom training and road phase of the Basic Riders Course before being issued a base decal.

A 2005 Department of Defense regulation restricts the use of cell phones while driving on all military installations. If taking a call, it is recommended to safely pull off to the side of the road or use authorized hands free equipment. Seatbelt use is required on and off base and as always keep safety in mind and practice sound risk management whenever driving or traveling in motor vehicles. Georgia state law requires headlights on for safety whenever it rains. Never drink and drive. If you do drink, use a designated driver or call a taxi or friend.

Sponsor Program
So, you have orders to Kings Bay and the big question is what to do to prepare for the move? NSB Kings Bay has a great program to aid you with all the necessities of your move. The key to your smooth transition is your sponsor.

Once your orders are received by your prospective command, a welcome aboard package will be sent to you and a sponsor assigned. In the welcome aboard package your sponsor will enclose a personal letter in the package to welcome you and offer help in your needs. Your sponsor will also contact you to make arrangements in order to make your transition as trouble-free as possible.

Whatever questions you have—big or small—your sponsor will assist you in finding answers. For additional information about the sponsor program, please call your receiving command or the base sponsor coordinator at (912) 573-9620.

Temporary Lodging
It is advisable to locate temporary lodging in advance. Your sponsor can help you with making local arrangements.

Navy Gateway Inns and Suites
The Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, located on base, provides temporary lodging for military members and their families transferring to and from the area. Incoming personnel are authorized a ten-day stay at the inn. The inn offers free laundry facilities and in-room kitchens. Call (912) 573-4871 for more information or to make reservations.

Navy Lodge
The Navy Lodge has 25 rooms with one ADA compliant room and all rooms are designated as non-smoking. Call (800) NAVY-INN to make reservations at the Kings Bay lodge.

Hotels
There are several major chain hotels in the Camden County—Kings Bay area. Accommodations are usually plentiful year-round and your sponsor can provide a list of the hotels in the area.

Weather
The climate in Southeast Georgia is generally temperate. Summers are long and warm with an average relative humidity of about 75 percent. Winters, although punctuated with periodic invasions of cool to occasionally cold air from the north, are mild because of the southern latitude and the proximity to the warm Atlantic Ocean waters.

The annual average temperature for the Kings Bay area is 68. June, July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures averaging above 90 degrees. December, January and February are the coolest months, with temperatures near the mid 50s. Temperatures exceed 95 degrees during the summer months and evening temperatures are usually comfortable, rarely falling below 75 degrees. The greatest rainfall, mostly in the form of local thunderstorms, occurs during the summer months when a measurable amount can be expected one day in two. Summer thunderstorms usually occur before the noon hour along the beaches, while afternoon thunderstorms are the rule inland.

Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 1, but tropical cyclones can form earlier or later if the conditions are right. Although it has been more than 100 years since Camden County has been directly impacted by a tropical storm, this area has had at least nine major storms within 60 nautical miles.

Hurricane is a name given to a strong tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph (34 knots) are called tropical depressions. Once winds reach at least 39 mph, they are typically called a tropical storm and assigned a name. If winds reach 74 mph (64 knots) they are called a hurricane.

Residents should have evacuation kits prepared prior to the season starting and should be ready to leave when a hurricane watch is issued. A watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 36 hours. All evacuation orders will be issued by the governor through Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Camden County Emergency Management officials. If you reside in an area where evacuation orders have been issued, you should evacuate.

Emergency shelters will open, as needed, in areas unaffected by the event. If the event is a hurricane evacuation, then shelters will be opened in counties further inland. Camden County will open shelters if needed after the hurricane has made landfall. Information regarding shelter locations and community resources can be found at the American Red Cross of Northeast Florida Chapter website online at http://www.nefloridaredcross.org 

There are established evacuation routes for Camden County and the outlaying areas and residents should become familiar with which route pertains to them. Georgia Highway 40 is westbound route for most residents in the southern part of Camden County. For those in the Woodbine area, Highway 110 south will lead them west and south to join Highway 40 west into Charlton County. Evacuees in the middle part of the County may also take Highway 252 south and west into Charlton County. Highway 259 leads west from Tarboro into Brantley County, while Highway 110 north will take them west to Highway 82 in Brantley County. Highway 17 and Interstate 95 are North-South corridors. Additional information regarding traffic routes and preparation guides can be found at the Camden County, Ga. website online at http://www.co.camden.ga.us. The last coastal evacuation occurred in 1999 with Hurricane Floyd.

Regarding work schedules, closings and delays Trident Training Facility employees are to call (912) 573-3453. Trident Refit Facility Employees are to call (877) 811-8078. Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic employees are to call (912) 573-4110. NSB Kings Bay employees and all other commands are requested to monitor WKBX-FM 106.3, Florida and Georgia Public Radio, WJXT News 4, First Coast News, CBS 47 or Fox 30 News for updated information.

Following an evacuation, Navy personnel within the affected area, uniformed and Department of the Navy civilians, are urged to muster with their commands or within the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) support site at https://www.navyfamily.navy.mil. Displaced personnel who have been ordered to evacuate by military authority can call the Navy Pay and Personnel Support Center at Norfolk, Va. at (866) 239-0303 for evacuation travel related questions.  read more...

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