- Essential Preparations for Ships Navigating Atlantic Hurricane Season.
- Best Practices for Vessel Safety During Hurricanes at Sea.
- Key Actions Before, During, and After Sailing in Hurricane Conditions.
The Atlantic hurricane season kicks off every year from June 1 and wraps up on November 30. According to the NOAA, we can expect a busier season in 2025, with forecasts suggesting there could be between 13 and 19 storms packing winds of at least 39 mph (34 knots). Out of those, 6 to 10 might strengthen into hurricanes with winds reaching 74 mph (64 knots) or more, and 3 to 5 could escalate into major hurricanes, boasting winds that exceed 111 mph (96 knots), reports Britannia P&I Club.
Before Sailing
- It’s crucial to conduct a thorough risk assessment for your voyage across the Atlantic.
- Make sure to subscribe to weather routing services so you can stay informed about any potential hurricanes or severe weather conditions both before and during your trip.
- Check that all compartments and openings on the ship are watertight and weather-tight.
- Secure everything on board properly, adding extra lashings if necessary to keep cargo from shifting during rough weather.
- It’s also important to train your crew on how to avoid heavy weather, handle the ship in tough conditions, and follow the emergency procedures laid out in the Safety Management System (SMS).
- Ensure that your watchkeeping officers are adept at reading and interpreting weather reports and charts.
- Don’t forget to tune your communication systems to the right meteorological areas and satellites to receive warnings through Enhanced Group Calling (EGC) services.
- Lastly, identify local weather facsimile stations and their transmission frequencies so you can access the latest weather charts.
During Sailing
- It’s crucial to regularly check the cargo lashings, equipment, and fittings to ensure they’re ready to handle any extreme weather that might come your way.
- Keep an eye on weather warnings from routing and EGC services, and make sure to plot them continuously.
- Compare the predicted storm path with your vessel’s current progress to evaluate any potential risks.
Upon Encountering a Hurricane or Severe Weather
- Continuously compare the hurricane forecast track to the ship’s planned course.
- Use the 1-2-3 rule to forecast the error radius of the hurricane’s position: 100 nautical miles (NM) for 24 hours, 200 NM for 48 hours, and 300 NM for 72 hours ahead. Plot this danger area to identify regions to avoid.
- Determine at least two alternate courses of action to stay clear of the hurricane danger zone.
- Evaluate nearby ports or designated hurricane havens as potential safe refuge options.
- Calculate the Closest Point of Approach (CPA) to the cyclone for each avoidance route based on the latest forecasts.
- Choose and execute the safest avoidance course while closely monitoring storm developments.
- Follow guidance from MSC.1/Circ.1228, which provides instructions for masters on avoiding dangerous weather and sea conditions.
- Adhere to SMS procedures for encountering heavy weather.
- Vessels in port should assess the protection offered by the harbour relative to forecasted wind directions and storm surge risks.
- Decisions to leave port to avoid storms must be made early enough to ensure safe departure and transit routes.
After Encountering Heavy Weather
- Conduct inspections of the forecastle and anchor lashings carefully, performing risk assessments to avoid hazards like waves or being washed overboard.
- Complete, thorough logbook entries detailing all events and actions taken during the weather encounter.
Hurricane Climatology in the North Atlantic
Hurricanes in the North Atlantic have a tendency to form and travel along certain climatological paths and regions. For mariners, grasping these patterns is crucial for steering clear of dangerous areas during hurricane season.
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Source: Britannia P&I Club
