1. All Ship Masters, Owners & Ship Agents for foreign & local ships, Pilots and Port Management Companies/Operators, Marinas and Yacht Clubs are advised that the tropical cyclone season has commenced from 1st November 2024.

2. All are required to take precautionary measures to keep yourselves, your crews, passengers, cargoes and the ships safe.

3. Any action taken must not pose undue risk to seafarers and their vessels within the sheltering area during this period.

4. The table below indicates wind strength and expected damages near tropical cyclone centre.

TC Category	Average Wind (km/h)	Strongest Gusts (km/h)	Central Pressure (hpa)	Typical Effects
1	63-89	Below 125 (Gales)	Below 985	Negligible house damage; damage to some crops, trees and caravans; boats may drag moorings.
2	90-124	125-169 (Destructive winds)	985-971	Minor house damage; significant damage to signs, trees and caravans; heavy damage to some crops; risk of power failure; small craft may break moorings.
3	125-164	170-224 (Very destructive winds)	970-956	Some roof and structural damage; some caravans destroyed; power failure likely.
4	165-224	225-279 (Very destructive winds)	955-931	Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris; widespread power failures.
5	Above 224	Above 280 (Very destructive winds)	Below 931	Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction.

5. All Masters are advised to take early action and preventative measures based on good professional judgement combined with the observance of good seamanship practice to ensure that seafarers and the vessels under their command is kept safe.
6. Masters must listen to all marine weather bulletins and tropical cyclone updates issued from the Fiji Meteorological Service (www.met.gov.fj) and transmitted through the Suva Coast Radio Station (3DP) and also broadcast through the commercial radio stations.
7. Ship safety is the Master’s responsibility therefore the Master must take all necessary action to keep their ship safe at all times.
8. Ship owners must provide all necessary support to Masters of their vessels to ensure that the ship is kept safe during the tropical cyclone season.

JOWELI CAWAKI

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji 07 November 2024