- All Ship Masters, Ship Owners & Ship Agents for foreign & local ships, Pilots, Port Management Companies/Operators, Marinas and Yacht Clubs are advised of the adverse weather warning affecting the Fiji Group.
Weather Bulletin
Issued from the National Weather Forecasting Centre, Nadi at 3:30pm on Thursday the 19th of January 2023
A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE LAND AREAS OF YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUP, VATULELE, KADAVU, WESTERN AND NORTHERN VITI LEVU, BUA AND EASTERN MACUATA PROVINCE.
A HEAVY RAIN WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUP, WESTERN AND NORTHERN VITI LEVU, BUA AND MACUATA PROVINCE.
A COASTAL INUNDATION ALERT REMAINS IN FORCE FOR COASTAL AREAS OF YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUP, WESTERN VITI LEVU TO CORAL COAST FROM TEIDAMU THROUGH LAUWAKI, MOMI TO CORAL COAST], VATULELE, KADAVU AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, MOALA GROUP, CENTRAL LAU AND SOUTHERN LAU GROUP.
Situation:
A trough of low pressure with cloud and rain lies over the Fiji group. Meanwhile, an active trough of low pressure lies to the west and is anticipated to also approach the group from later today.
Associated cloud and rain is expected to affect the group from today till the next few days.
Forecast to midnight tomorrow for the Fiji group:
For Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, western and northern Viti Levu, Bua and eastern Macuata province:
Occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms. Rain becoming frequent from later tonight. Localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low lying areas. Strong northwesterly winds, with average speeds of 45km/hr, with gusts up to 50 km/hr. Rough to very rough seas.
For the rest of Fiji:
Occasional rain and few thunderstorms. Localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low lying areas. Moderate to fresh north to northwesterly winds, gusty at times. Winds expected to increase and become strong from later tonight.
Moderate to rough seas. Seas expected to become rough to very rough from later tonight.
Outlook for Saturday:
Strong northwesterly winds averaging up to 55km/hr over Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, western and northern Viti Levu, Bua and eastern Macuata province. Occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, western, northern and southwest Viti Levu.
Elsewhere, Occasional rain and few thunderstorms.
- All stakeholders are required to take necessary precautionary measures to keep your ships/boats safe at all times.
- All Masters are advised to take early action and preventative measures based on good professional decision combined with observance of good seamanship practice to ensure the ship under their command is made safe.
- Masters must listen to all marine weather bulletins and updates issued from the Fiji Meteorological Office (www .met.gov.fj) and transmitted through Suva Coast Radio Station (3DP) and the local radio stations.
- Ship Master and Owners shall take all necessary to keep their ship safe at all times.
- Ship owners must provide all necessary support to masters of their ships to ensure the ship is kept safe.
SESONI KOMAISOSO
OFFICER IN CHARGE / MANAGER SHIPS INSPECTION
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji
19th January, 2023.