8.

7 NAVIGATION IN VICINITY OF TROPICAL REVOLVING STORMS

Navigation and Mooring Manual 01-Nov-2018 Rev 0 Page 1 of 4

Purpose
To outline procedures for navigation in vicinity of Tropical Revolving Storms.

8.7.1 Description
Tropical revolving storms (TRS) are intense rotating depressions that generally develop
Over oceans in tropical latitudes and can cause severe damage to a vessel.
They are termed as Hurricane (North America), Typhoon (China Seas) and Cyclone (Indian
Ocean). Guidance is available in sailing directions and NP 100 Mariner's Handbook.

8.7.2 Using Navigable and Dangerous Semi-Circle for Minimizing Effect of TRS
TRSuSually travel in Westerly direction and near 20 degrees latitude, they normally recurve
in NE direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in SE Direction in the Southern Hemisphere.
Two sides to a TRS are: 'Dangerous Semi Circle' and 'Navigable Semi Circle'

Characterstic

20°N 20°N

Track of ship
Atermate pah of sto
relative to stom centre

--.
DangerouS
semicircle

10N vigable
semicircle 10°N
Approximate lattude
f origin

aTrack of ship
relaive to storm cetre

Track of ship
relative to storm centre

10°S
Navigable 10°S
semicirdle Approximate latitude
Eye origin
Dangerous
n 8emicircle
pano
Atematve

rack of ship
relative to storm cenire

20°S-
20'S
Characteristic
ath
patn ool sorm

Source. 1bo Matier's lHandbuok

In the 'Dangerous Semi-Circle', the wind and the storm travel in the same direction. The
combination of the movement of the storm plus the already fast moving winds cause
stronger winds than elsewhere in the TRS and push the vessel into storm.
 8.7 NAVIGATION IN VICINITY OF TROPICAL REVOLVING STORMS
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Navigation and Mooring Manual
The 'Navigable Semi-Circle' is the safer half of a TRS. Here even if the TRS was to
recurve, it would be in a direction away from the vessel. The wind and sea state will be less
severe than in dangerous semi-circle.

Caution
The "Dangerous Quadrant" is the most dangerous area in the TRS. If vessel was in this quadrant, the
TRS would recurve around the vessel leaving limited options to escape.

8.7.3 Avoiding Actions to Keep Clear of TRS

These actions are in addition to guidelines provided in the NMM chapter 'Navigation in
Heavy Weather
Monitor weather reports at six hourly intervals. Missing even one weather report is
dangerous as the tracks of TRS are unpredictable. When unable to receive sufficient
weather forecasts, request office for assistance.
There are two avoiding actions provided in this procedure, each from different sources
Master to use either of them, whichever is most suitable in the prevailing circumstances.
Use of Safety Sectorfor keeping a vessel clear of a TRS From 'HMS0'
Meteorology for Mariners
1-2-3 Rule of Tropical Cyclone Avoidance issued by US NOAA
Determining Dangerous and Navigable Semi-Circle

Caution
Master must take early action, to keep at least 200 NM from the eye of the TRS.

8.7.4 Use of Safety Sector - Avoid the 'Danger Area'

In order to guard from the 'erratic' movement of TRS, plot a 'Danger Area' based on the last
reported position and its projected track for next 24 hrs.
Determine the last reported position of storm
From this position, lay off the forecasted track of storm for next 24 hrs
Create a 40-degree sector on either side of projected track
This sector indicates the likely movement area of storm center in next 24 hrs
Carry out the above on receiving each update and keep clear
8.78.7 NAVIGATION IN VICINITY OF TROPICAL REVOLVING STORMS
Navigation and Mooring Manual 01-Nov-2018 Rev Page 3of 4

Vessel near 1R8.

Mondtoring and plottin
the safey seotors ad
o000
taking aotion to keep
okear by at least 200NM

20 knots

knots
1200
SECTOR 4
20 knots
1800 20 knots

0000
SECTOR3

SECTOR 2

1800

SECTOR1
1200/1nots
Sectors drawn as per last reportedd
storm position and its projected
tack for next 24 hous.
knots

5 knots
0000

TIME POSN OF VESSEL POSNOF TRS

V000 Hrs.
0600 HrsS. H2
1200 Hrs. H3
1800 Hrs. D H4

Note 1
The safety sector is a rule-of-thumb method of keeping clear. The effectiveness depends on the
availability of position of the storm centre and its progress. The accuracy is on the assumption that the
storm will not alter course more than 40° without detection.

8.7.5 1-2-3 Rule - Avoid the 'Minimum Danger Area'

Use 1-2-3 Rule to construct the 'Minimum Danger Area to Avoid' so as to navigate around
the tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Basin.
Take 34 knots wind or higher as the criteria to avoid. Any vessel near a TRS should make
every effort to remain clear of the maximum radius of forecasted 34 kn winds associated
with the tropical cyclone.
The 34 knots or higher wind field is chosen as the critical wind speed because at this level,
wind and sea conditions significantly limit vessel manoeuvrability.
Note 2
The state of the sea outside of the radius of 34 knots winds can also be significant enough to limit course
and speed options.
 8.7 NAVIGATION IN VICINITY OF TROPICAL REVOLVING STORMS
Navigation and Mooring Manual 01-Nov-2018 Rev 0 Page 4of4

Diagram ofthe 1-2-3 Rule

The danger aree to avoid is the area inscribed by the connecting tangent lines of the outer most radus
of 34 knot winds plus a safety margin derived from the ten year average Attantic tropical cyclone
position errors at the 24, 48, and 72 hour forecast positions. Adding 100 NM at 24 haur forecast, 200
NM at 48 our forecast, and 300 NM at the 72 hour forecast positions.

300 NM radius 48 Hour Forecast 24 Hour Forecast Postion

added to 72 Hour Postion with Maximum of storm wth maximum 34
Forecast of largest 34 KT wind radius dawn KT wind radius drawn as
34 KT wind radi as dashed circle dashed circle

200 NM radius
added to 48 Hour
Forecast of lagest
34 KT wind radii

Current Storm Postion

with maximum 34 KT
wind radius drawn as
dashed circle

72 Hour Forecast SHADED RECION

Posidon of storm 100 NM radus
with maximum 34 KT added to 24 Hour
wind radius drawn as Forecast of largest
dashed circle 34 KT wind radi

Forms and checklists: References:

CL: D-11; D-12 Routing Charts, Sailing Directions, Mariner's handbook
RA: NAVO06 HMSO Book Metrology for Mariners
WI U.S. NOOA guidelines on 1-2-3 Rule
FORM: