Navy ships in Hampton Roads that haven't already headed to sea in advance of Hurricane Sandy are now being ordered to stay in port, the Navy said Saturday morning.

Ships that planned to get underway Saturday will no longer go to sea because the projected winds and storm surge "will not exceed the ability of our ships to remain safely in port," according to a press release from Fleet Forces Command.

"We kept a very close watch on the storm all night," said Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of Fleet Forces Command. "As a result of these projected changes, we determined that the safest place for the ships not already underway is in port."

Ships that stay in port will take extra precautions to avoid potential storm damage.

It was not immediately clear how many of the 21 ships ordered to sea yesterday have already left.

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