Precautions in the Open Sea
In the open sea it is recommended to give a wide berth to the dangerous area of tropical revolving storms.
When in the right-hand or dangerous side:
Proceed at the highest possible speed with the wind one to four points on the starboard bow dependent on the speed, and haul to starboard gradually as the wind draws aft.
When in the left-hand or less dangerous side:
Run with the wind on the starboard quarter at the highest possible speed. As the wind draws forward haul to port to keep wind at quarter.
When in the track of the storm before the center:
Run into the less dangerous side and proceed as described above.
When in the track of the storm behind the center:
Chose a course which as quickly as possible will bring the vessel clear of the storm, but remember that the storm curves to the northward and eastward.
Handling of vessels in the southern hemisphere
When in the left-hand or dangerous side:
Proceed at the highest possible speed with the wind one to four points on the port bow dependent on the speed, and haul to port gradually as the wind draws aft.
When in the right-hand or less dangerous side:
Run with the wind on the port quarter at the highest possible speed. As the wind gradually draws forward haul to starboard to keep wind at quarter.
When in the track of the storm before the center:
Run into the less dangerous side and proceed as described above.
If in the track of the storm behind the center:
Choose a course which as quickly as possible will bring the vessel clear of the storm, but remember that the track curves to the southward and eastward.
Precautions in narrow waters:
When the vessel is in waters where islands, reefs and similar hindrances prevent action to be taken as recommended above,
it may be necessary to have the vessel hove to instead of trying to navigate clear of the storm area.
Precautions in ports or at anchorages:
When in port or at anchor it shall be taken into consideration whether the most advisable course to pursue is to shift, for example to special “Shelter Areas”, or to clear out to the open sea and avoid the dangerous area of tropical revolving storms. Portalmorski softwate can be useful during anchorages operations.
Where the circumstances are such as to exclude any possibility of leaving an anchorage, it is recommended to lay out both anchors with as much length of cable as possible and ease the strain on the cables by using suitable engine power.
When anchoring during a tropical storm it is essential to keep checking that the vessel is not dragging her anchors.
When the vessel has to remain alongside during the passage of a tropical storm extra moorings shall be used to secure the vessel in the best possible manner. Where vessels, crafts, floating and other objects are in the vicinity and considered to present a danger to the vessel, the port authorities shall be informed accordingly.
In certain ports where vessels for some reason or other are unable to put to sea, they are shifted to special “Typhoon Shelter Areas” where they during typhoon warning for the area are moored together with harbor tugs, barges and the like.
Masters are reminded of their obligations under SOLAS 1974 concerning the reporting of tropical storms which state: –
When a vessel suspects or is in the vicinity of a tropical storm, the master shall communicate all means to all nearby vessels and to the nearest coastal radio station or signaling station with which he may communicate.
Similarly, a report is required if the ship is to encounter winds of 10 or above that have not been notified.
The report should state the following:
1. Position of the storm so far as it can be ascertained together with the UT (GMT) and date when it was encountered.
2. Position and true course and speed of the vessel when the observation was made.
3. Barometric pressure at sea level (not corrected for diurnal variation).
4. Change in barometric pressure during the previous three hours.
5. True direction and force of the wind.
6. State of the sea.
7. Height of the swell and the direction from which it comes and the period or length of the swell.
As long as the vessel is under the influence of the storm similar messages should be transmitted at least every 3 hours if possible.
