Lesson 15B:

Storm Avoidance
 Lesson 15B: Storm
Avoidance
 AGENDA:
– Storm Avoidance
– Weather Reporting
– Weather Prediction

 Applicable reading: Hobbs WB, App A

 Storm Avoidance
1. Hurricane Season - June through November

2. Procedure - Safest with respect to tropical

cyclones is avoidance.

3. Key Elements to Determine:

- Position relative to storm center & axis

- Path & velocity of storm’s travel

 Storm Avoidance
4. Cyclonic Storms - Deflected by the
corriolis effect travel in a clockwise
direction (Northern Hemisphere).

5. Storm Division - Storm is divided into 2

parts:
- Most Dangerous Semi-circle - side that is
right of storm center and direction of path

- Least Dangerous (Navigable) Semi-circle

- side that is left of storm center and
direction of path
 Northern Hemisphere
Most Dangerous
Quadrant

More Dangerous
Semi-circle

Least Dangerous
Semi-circle
 Storm Avoidance
6. Safe Passage - in the Northern Hemisphere

- Avoid crossing the “T”: avoid passing in

front of a storm going from Most to
Least Dangerous semi-circle

- Most Dangerous Semi-Circle: Bring the

wind on STBD bow, hold course &
make best speed.
 Storm Avoidance
6. Safe Passage - in the Northern Hemisphere

- Least Dangerous Semi-Circle: Bring the

wind on STBD qtr, hold course &
make best speed.

- On Storm Track (ahead): Bring the wind

to 160 deg R until a backing is noted
in the wind (indicating you are in the
Least Dangerous Semi-circle), then
bring the wind on STBD quarter, hold
course & make best speed.
 Storm Avoidance
6. Safe Passage - in the Northern Hemisphere

- On Storm Track (behind): Avoid the

center by best practical course
(southerly).
 Ship Observation & Reporting
Weather Observations - Ships are required to
take regular weather observations:

- Observations taken hourly IAW

NAVOCEANINST.

- Ships in company, OTC may designate

one ship to report observations

- In port with no manned weather facility

within 50NM
 Ship Observation & Reporting
Synoptic - Formatted weather message:

- Every 6 hours PRIORITY if: surface

wind speeds < 33 kts, seas < 12 feet.

- Every 3 hours IMMEDIATE if: surface

winds > 33 kts sustained, seas > 12 feet.

- Via plain voice: first indications of a

tropical cyclone, unusual or hazardous
weather.
 Ship Observation & Reporting
Weather Observations - prepared by OOD:

- Type of observation

- Cloud Cover

- Prevailing visibility

- Weather & obstructions to visibility

- Sea level pressure in millibars

 Ship Observation & Reporting
Weather Observations - prepared by OOD:
(cont.)

- Dry bulb temp in degrees fahrenheit

- Dew point temp in degrees fahrenheit

- True wind direction & speed

- Altimeter setting (if aircraft embarked)

- Remarks
 Ship Observation & Reporting
Weather Observations - prepared by OOD:
(cont.)

- Station pressure in inches of mercury

- Sea water temp (at sea water injection)

- Sea height, direction and period

- Ice (if applicable)

- Clouds by type, quantity, & height

 Services Available
1. Tropical Cyclone Alert

2. High Wind and Sea Warning

3. Local Severe-Storm Warning

4. WEAX

5. OTSR - Optimum Track Ships Routing

 Weather Prediction

 Broadcast WEAX Messages

– High Seas Warnings
– Offshore Marine Forecasts
– Coastal Marine Forecasts
– OPAREA Forecasts
 OTSR (Optimum Track Ship Routing)
– Tailored track recommendations
 National Data Buoy Collection Center
– Provides real-time conditions throughout coastal U.S.
Weather Prediction

 42039 PENSACOLA
– 56 NM South of
Panama City, FL
 Measures:
– Wind direction, speed
– Wave height, period
– Atmos. Pressure
– Air/Water Temperature
– Dew Point
 Weather Prediction
Heuristics
 Look for changes in wind direction
– Veering: clockwise movement
– Backing: counter-clockwise movement
 Watch 3 hour trend of barometer
 Note cloud type and direction
 Monitor dew point spread
 Weather Prediction
Heuristics
 Buys Ballot Law
– To locate High or Low use:
 Stand with your back to the wind
 Turn 15º to the right
 The LOW is on your left, the HIGH on your right
 Red sky at night … sailor’s delight
 Red sky at morning ... sailors take warning
 Review/Summary
 Describe the difference between the
dangerous semi-circle and the navigable
semi-circle.
 What is OTSR used for?
Questions?