VI in for rough seas & high winds within next 48 hours
Late yesterday, the Government’s Department of Disaster Management (DDM) issued some weather warnings obtained from the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services. Currently, the Territory is under a small craft operators warning until late Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
“Hazardous seas, due to a combination of sea swells and wind waves, are expected to be a threat to the life and property of mariners,” the warning stated.
High winds, rough seas! It’s serious
The winds, both on sea and land, are reported to be East-northeast at 15 to 24 knots with frequent higher gusts. Gusts to around gale force (tropical storm force) – 34 knots are likely, mainly Saturday night through late Monday. The winds are expected to be around 20 knots or more across the area today and Monday January 29, 2018.
Waves/seas will be 2 to 4 meters or 7 to 13 feet, occasional reaching 5.0 meters or 17 feet, mainly in open waters north and east of the islands. The highest seas are expected on Sunday and Monday, according to the report.
Residents and boaters are requested to take this seriously, as the wind and seas conditions could lead to “Loss of life; injuries; sea search and rescue disruptions; disruptions to sea transportation; scarcity of sea food; damage or loss of boats and fishing equipment; disruptions to marine recreation and businesses and economic losses,” the advisory stated.
Small crafts stay in port!
A small craft warning means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots and or seas of 7 feet or greater are expected to produce hazardous wave conditions to small crafts.
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions. For the above-mentioned conditions, the advisory warned small craft operators to stay in port.
As of publication time there has been no cancellations announced by any of the ferry companies taking passengers between the Virgin Islands and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), as well as between Tortola, Virgin Gorda or Jost van Dyke.
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