- 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 in the Fiji Group.
Marine Weather Bulletin Issued from the National Weather Forecasting Centre Nadi at 8.30am on Friday the 3rd of March 2023
A GALE ALERT REMAINS IN FORCE FOR OPEN SEAS OF MAMANUCA, SOUTHWEST
VITI LEVU, KADAVU PASSAGE, SOUTHERN KORO SEA, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
LAU.
Situation:
TROPICAL CYCLONE KEVIN [974HPA] WAS LOCATED NEAR 16.5S 165.6E OR ABOUT 1270KM WEST OF NADI AT 6AM TODAY.
TC KEVIN IS CURRENTLY MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 14 KNOTS AND EXPECTED TO BE LOCATED ABOUT 850 KILOMETERS
WEST-SOUTHWEST OF NADI OR 900 KILOMETERS WEST OF KADAVU AROUND 6AM TOMORROW.
Forecast
FOR MAMANUCA, SOUTHWEST VITILEVU, KADAVU PASSAGE, SOUTHERN KORO SEA, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LAU.
NORTHERLY WINDS UP TO 30 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 45KNOTS. WINDS POSSIBLY INCREASING TO
DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS UP TO 40 KNOTS AND GUSTING TO 55 KNOTS FROM TOMORROW.
VERY ROUGH SEAS, BECOMING TO HIGH SEAS FROM TOMORROW.
MODERATE TO HEAVY NORTHERLY SWELLS.
POOR VISIBILITY IN AREAS OF HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
FOR THE REST OF FIJI WATERS:
NORTHERLY WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 45 KNOTS.
ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE NORTHERLY SWELLS.
POOR VISIBILITY IN AREAS OF HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
POSSIBLE IMPACTS:
HIGH RISK OF SEA TRAVEL FOR ALL TYPES OF SEA CRAFT
RISK OF DAMAGING COASTAL FLOODING OF DEBRIS ALONG COASTAL AREAS ESPECIALLY DURING HIGH TIDES
DANGEROUS FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
2. All open boats of 15 meters or less in length are advised not to go to sea during this current weather situation.
3. All other stakeholders are required to take necessary precautionary measures to keep your ships/boats safe at all times.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Ship Master and Owners shall take all necessary to keep their ship safe at all times.
7. 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 SHIP INSPECTION
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji
3rd March, 2023.