The US is preparing for another hurricane called Delta, the 25th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, which has been intensified to Category 4 status and is expected to achieve sustained winds of 135 knots.
In light of heightened cyclonic activity in recent weeks across the world, the American P&I Club issued an alert for vessels operating in the vicinity of extreme weather events. The peak season for hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones in the northern hemisphere occurs between July and October.
Following the Hurricane Sally in the U.S. Gulf Coast, energy majors along with ports and refiners had no choice but to shut down.
The salvage operations of the motor vessel Golden Ray are paused due to a combination of factors including COVID-19 mitigation protocols, as well as the hurricane season, the Unified Command overseeing the wreck removal announced, almost 11 months after the ship grounded in St. Simons Sound, Georgia.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) shared reporting requirements for the hurricane season, to provide guidance for operators on the Outer Continental Shelf. Hurricane season begins on 1st June and operators should review Emergency Evacuation Plans.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the US National Weather Service, forecasts an above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, running from June 1 through November 30. The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration advises that the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season which was marked by intensified tropical activity from mid-August through October, comes to an end on Saturday, November 30. 2019 marks the fourth consecutive above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. The only other period on record that produced four consecutive above-normal seasons was in 1998-2001.
The Chinese Embassy confirmed to Xinhua that five Chinese crewmembers died, three are missing and four have been rescued from the Panama-registered vessel that sank in Tokyo Bay, Saturday October 12. The vessel was discovered undersea on October 13.
NOAA focuses on the phenomenon of hurricanes and explains what they are, how they are formed and how they occur, given their effects can lead to serious and fatal disruptions. When wind speeds within such a storm reach 74 mph, it’s classified as a hurricane.
Typhoon Hagibis is approaching wide areas from western to northern Japan in the upcoming weekend. The Japan Club highlights that shipowners and vessels should be extra cautious of the weather conditions, and should ensure the safety of their crew and their vessels.
