The worst conditions are likely on Wednesday night when the winds are expected to peak. Hence, Inexperienced Mariners and Fisher Folks on Montserrat, especially those operating smaller vessels should stay in port due to these hazardous marine conditions!
The Small Craft Advisory issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services shortly before midnight, Tuesday, said fresh winds are causing a combination of wind waves and wind swells to reach hazardous levels, mainly in open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands.
It states that the threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is moderate with the potential for significant impacts. The threat level is could to rise further to high on Wednesday, with the potential for extensive impacts. A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots and or wind waves and or wind swells of 7 feet or greater are occurring or imminent.
Winds over open waters: East-northeast at 26 to 41 km/h (14 to 22 knots; 16 to 25 mph), with strong gusts to around 63 km/h (34 knots; 39 mph).
Seas (significant wave heights): 1.8 to 2.7 metres (6 to 9 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.5 metres (12 feet). Wind waves and or wind swells: 1.8 to 2.7 metres or 6 to 8 feet and occasionally higher. The dominant wind wave period is 6 to 9 seconds.
Potential Impacts: Loss of life at sea; injuries to mariners; capsize or damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment; financial losses; disruption of fisheries and scarcity of fish products and disruption to marine transportation.Timing: Until Saturday.
Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on natural and man-made hazards to which Montserrat is prone.
Disclaimer: The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is the national body responsible for coordinating the management of emergencies and disasters in Montserrat, and not an official Meteorological Agency. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources utilized by the DMCA and the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, the agency responsible for aviation weather products and services for Montserrat.