Cyclone Anchorages Have Been Visited and Assessed for Accuracy Or Suitability by the Authors
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Cyclone Plan 2018-1 Introduction The purpose of the following document is to provide assistance in planning for and dealing with cyclones during reef survey work in tropical waters of northern Australia during our 2018/19 voyage on a 40’ catamaran. It is not an instruction manual and is not definitive. Skippers must take all information available into account and make decisions based on that as to the best course of action. The authors of the document take no responsibility for the correctness or accuracy of any part of this document. Its purpose is to provide a summary for ready reference of information gathered before heading to sea on that voyage. At the start of the voyage none of the suggested cyclone anchorages have been visited and assessed for accuracy or suitability by the authors. All information has been gleaned from books, internet searches and personal communication. Later versions will be updated and noted where applicable once any of the anchorages have been visited. It is likely that many of the small creeks identified as cyclone anchorages here will not be deep enough at low tide for a catamaran to float. She must be prepared to rest on the mud, as she is designed to do, for some period during low tide. Once the anchorages have been visited by our catamaran measured depths will be added to this document. Pre-cyclone procedures Monitor VHF weather and warnings from Coastal Volunteer Marine Rescue stations Daily download grib files and GMDSS warnings using Predictwind Offshore app and Iridium Go. Where possible, daily check BOM sites or have shore base do so http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/outlooks/index.shtml http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/ http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/index.shtml If cyclone likelihood in your region is above Very Low Monitor twice daily or more frequently depending on circumstances. Maintain twice daily contact with shore base. If a cyclone forms in your area 1. Determine location of eye from BOM and local information 2. Plot probable track of cyclone using BOM and local information 3. Determine your best course of action from the following; 3.1. Continue as you are but with increased monitoring. 3.1.1. This is an option if a potential cyclone is more than 500 nm from you. 1 Cyclone Plan 2018-1 3.1.2. Consider changing plans to minimise danger. 3.2. Stay at sea and plot best course to avoid cyclone. 3.2.1. This will be your best option if a cyclone is 200 to 500 nm from you and you are at sea in an area with few reefs. 3.2.2. Immediately sail as quickly as possible away from danger until you are sure you are safe. Note the cyclone avoidance navigation instructions below. 3.2.3. While sailing away, prepare the vessel for storm force winds and seas. 3.3. Stay at sea and plot course to safest, navigable sector of winds 3.3.1. This will be the case if the cyclone is less than 200 nm from you and you are so far out to sea that there is a considerable risk you will not be able to sail to a cyclone anchorage without danger of being overtaken by the cyclone. 3.3.2. When facing an approaching cyclone (in the southern hemisphere), the safest (navigable) sector is to the left of its centre and away from its path. 3.3.2.1. If you are in the navigable sector, sail away with all possible speed on a broad reach with the wind on your port side until safe. 3.3.2.2. If you are in the dangerous sector and the wind is increasing rapidly, set the series drogue sea anchor and prepare for severe winds and seas. If the cyclone is still hours away, sail with all possible speed perpendicular to its path to get as far as possible away from the eye. Before seas become too dangerous to sail, set the series drogue sea anchor from the stern mooring cleats. 3.3.2.3. If you are in the path of the cyclone. Sail with all speed with the wind on the port aft quarter to get into the navigable sector then proceed as above. 3.3.3. If you cannot sail away due to dangerous seas or lack of sea room, deploy the series drogue sea anchor from the stern mooring cleats. 3.3.4. Prepare the vessel for storm force winds and seas 2 Cyclone Plan 2018-1 Note this diagram shows vessels in the Dangerous sector hove-to or lying to a conventional sea anchor set from the bow. Our catamaran will be safer lying to a series drogue sea anchor set over her stern so she will face the opposite direction when lying to it in the dangerous sector. 3.4. Go to a cyclone anchorage and wait for the cyclone to dissipate 3.4.1. This is the safest option and should be done urgently if a cyclone is within 200 nm. A list of cyclone anchorages follows 3.4.2. Asses the strengths and weaknesses of the anchorage. Simply, it should be as close as possible to being sheltered from waves, wind and river flow, with soft shores and no rocks, and few or no anchored boats. Generally, a small, twisting, mangrove lined, muddy creek a good distance from the coast is safest. The further up the creek and the taller and thicker the mangroves the better. Any small enclosed area of water can suffice, provided it will not be subject to heavy river flow and the banks are high above the storm surge. The more anchor and mooring points available the better. 3.4.3. If it is in a creek or river, consider the flow may increase hugely due to heavy rain, and strong currents may exert considerable force on the boat. Moor with the bow into the flow. The helm can be used to “steer” to relieve pressure on mooring lines. Prepare for trees to be washed down with the flood. 3.4.4. Understand that the storm surge may raise water level by several metres so mooring points may become submerged and anchor scope will reduce during the worst of the storm. 3.4.5. Set as many anchors and tie off to as many strong points (trees, posts, moorings etc.) as possible. 3 Cyclone Plan 2018-1 3.4.6. Prepare for unbelievably strong winds, torrential rain and massive debris. Take everything possible off the deck, batten the hatches, lash the sails, immobilise or dismount the wind generator, place emergency supplies in a grab bag, be ready to abandon ship. 3.4.7. Make a plan B in case the boat breaks its moorings or sinks. 3.4.8. Settle back and watch the show! 3.4.9. Don’t use the engines unless urgent due to debris in the water. Judging the relative direction of the cyclone’s centre from the vessel requires observation of the changing true wind direction. Initially, while observing the wind’s change the vessel should heave to with the wind on the port bow, as though it were in the dangerous sector. If the wind shifts to the right, clockwise, the vessel is in the navigable sector. Sail away with the wind on the port aft quarter until safe. If the wind shifts to the left, anti-clockwise the vessel is in the dangerous sector. If the wind is increasing rapidly, set the series drogue sea anchor and prepare for severe winds and seas. If the cyclone is still hours away, sail with all possible speed at right angle to its path to get as far as possible away from the eye. Before seas become too dangerous to sail, set the series drogue sea anchor from the stern mooring cleats If the wind does not change direction the vessel is in the path of the cyclone. Sail with all speed with the wind aft of the port beam to get into the navigable sector. Series drogue sea anchor for our catamaran A series drogue sea anchor such as our catamaran has, when set, is weighted at its outer end and hangs in a catenary so initially the vessel moves quite rapidly then slows as more drogues begin to work. The purpose of this design is to reduce the huge strain exerted by conventional sea anchors. Our catamaran’s previous conventional sea anchor broke its rode and cracked the mooring cleat during cyclone Debbie in 2017. If the series drogue is set from the bows of our catamaran the rapid movement astern could damage the rudders and endanger the boat. Regardless of how strong the wind and big the waves, the motion of the boat will be down wind for each and every wave. Any large wave will push the boat in that direction quite rapidly. Huge waves move at great speed. The boat is designed to move bow first over the water. The bows provide low resistance and lift so will handle the rushing speeds effectively. If our catamaran is pushed astern rapidly her transom steps with the engines beneath will dig in, the aft deck which is much lower and more solid than the forward trampoline deck will dig in, and it would take a much smaller wave to damage or capsize our catamaran than if she was running forward before the waves. Some waves may flood her cockpit while she is being pushed forward but her doors are strong and protected by the cockpit seats and table.