Seafarers navigating in regions exposed to Tropical Cyclones must understand the Hazardous Structure and impact of these extreme weather systems in order to adopt the right avoidance route and remain in safe navigation zone.
Critical decisions have to be made by the Captain supported by updated accurate weather information.
As an example let's see here the path of the Typhoon 11W (Haishen) in NW Pacific September 2020. The phenomena formed North East off the Philippines, then Tracking NW toward Tanega-shima island (Japan) while stengthening, then curving NNW toward Nagasaki (Japan) then Busan (South Korea) to finally weaken.
The chart below was produced by Global MeteOcean Weather Forecast Operational Center showing the Tropical Cyclone Track forecast over a 96 hours (4 days) period, indicating the Maximum Sustained Wind around its center, the ">34kts" Area around center position and the uncertainty track.
For the Vessel at sea when reading the Tropical Cyclone Track Forecast, the first measure is to avoid the 34kts wind area defined as the "Danger Area", so knowing the path including uncertainty of the the weather system helps to determine the correct action to stay away from the 34kts limit area which is constantly varying as the Cyclone moves while either developing or weakening.
The forecast information and advisories can be taken by the Vessel from official local bureaus but the broadcast is for all the vessels in the Navigation Zone, so the Captain needs to derive the information and interpret for his own Vessel situation. This can be quite intense workload for him while he has to prepare also the crew, double check sea fastening, cable tension, engines.
It is obviously easier and safer for the Vessel to receive comprehensive and customized information that is graphically easy to read and exploit on regular basis at each update.
Using the latest updated information is crucial for the safety during the process of avoiding adverse weather conditions.
Specialized Weather Centers like Global MeteOcean provide such help for Vessels and Barge towings at sea, with increased forecast accuracy for maximum level of safety.
In addition to prepare and dispatch the reports, the meteorologists at Global MeteOcean, specialists in Tropical Weather keep monitoring the Weather System in real time, so the crew can get additional updates any time when necessary between the regular broadcasts, and the weather forecaster to speak to if needed. Global MeteOcean's marine meteorologists have extensive experience in working offshore, on bord Vessels, Barges, which enables them to understand practically and precisely how the upcoming harsh weather may impact your Navigation.
Global MeteOcean is the only Offshore Weather Company to run Global High Resolution model production system continuously, covering the entire Planet. This allows to produce increased accurate information update very regularly and thus calculate potential impact to specific vessels and very quickly.
The animation below was produced by GMONW (Global MeteOcean Numerical Weather) forecasts the evolution of the "Danger Winds" area (above 34 KT) on a Geo-referenced Map display. With such reliable model data combined with real time observations and satellite data, the final information received by The Captain can be analyzed precisely, easily and rapidly to decide over the next action in the safest, most efficient and confident way.
If you need more information about Global MeteOcean Weather Routing Assistance, do contact us at commercial@globalmeteocean.com, we will get back to you 24/7 very quickly and if you have urgent requirement, within minutes, your safety is our priority.