Weather Routing
Environmental Factors
• Those elements of the atmosphere and ocean that may
produce a change in the status of a ship transit.
• While all of the environmental factors are important
for route selection and surveillance, optimum routing is
normally considered attained if the effects of wind and
sea can be optimized.
Environmental Factors
Wind
• The effect of wind speed on the ship performance is
difficult to determine.
• In light winds (less than 20 knts), ship lose speed in head
winds and gain speed slightly in following winds.
• For higher wind speeds, ship speed is reduced in both
head and following winds. this is due to the increased wave
action, which even in following seas results increased drag
of from steering corrections, and indicates the
importance of sea conditions in determining ship
performance.
Environmental Factors
Wave Height
- Wave height is the major factor affecting ship
performance. Wave action is responsible for ships
motions which reduce propeller thrust and cause
increased drag from steering corrections.
• The relationship of ship speed to wave direction and
height is similar to that of wind.
Environmental Factors
Fog
- fog, while not directly affecting the ship
performance, should be avoided as much as feasible, in
order to maintain normal speed & safe conditions.
• Extensive areas of fog during summertime can be
avoided by selecting a lower latitude route than one
based solely upon wind and sea.
Environmental Factors
Ice
-the problem of ice is two fold : floating ice(ice
bergs) and deck ice. If possible, areas of icebergs or
pack ice should be avoided because of the difficulty of
detection and the potential for collision.
Environmental Factors
North Wall Effect
-the most dangerous aspect of this phenomenon is the
strong winds and extremely high, sleep waves occur in a
limited area and may develop without warning.
• Thus, a ship that is laboring in near gale force northerly
winds and rough seas, proceeding on a northerly course,
can suddenly encounter storm force winds and
dangerously high breaking seas.
Environmental Factors
Ocean Currents
- ocean currents do not present a significant
routing problem, but they can be a determining factor in
route selection and diversion.
• This especially true when the points of departure and
destination are at relatively low latitudes.
Environmental Factors
Latitude
-generally, the higher the latitude of route, even in
summer, the greater are the problems with the
environment.
• Certain operations should be benefit from seasonal
planning as well as optimum routing.
Types of Recommendations and Advisories
• Initial Route Recommendation
- it is issued to a ship or routing authority normally
48 to 72 hours prior to sailing, and the process of
surveillance begins.
• It is a composite representation of experience,
climatology, weather and sea state forecast, vessel's
mission and operational concerns and vessel's seagoing
characteristics.
Types of Recommendations and Advisories
• Adjustment of Departure Time
-is a recommendation for delay in departure, or
early departure and is intended to avoid or significantly
reduce the adverse weather and sea forecasts on the
first portion of the route, if sailing on the original EDD.
• The initial route is not revised, only the timing of the
ship's transit through an area with currently
unfavorable weather conditions.
Types of Recommendations and Advisories
• Diversion
- is an underway adjustments in track and is
intended to avoid or limit the effect of adverse weather
conditions forecast to be encountered along the ship's
current track, or to take advantage of favorable
conditions along another route.
Types of Recommendations and Advisories
• Adjustment of SOA
- it is recommendation for slowing or increasing the
ship's speed as much as practicable, in an attempt to avoid
adverse weather situation by adjusting the timing of the
encounter.
• Evasion
- recommendations to the vessel to take independent
actions to avoid, as much as possible, a potentially dangerous
weather system.
CONCLUSION
-the succes of the ship weather routing depends upon
the validity of the forecasts and the routing agency's
ability to make appropriate route recommendations and
diversions.
• Anticipated improvements in a routing agency's
recommendations will come from advancement in
meteorology, technology, and the application of ocean
wave forecast models.
• Advancement in mathematical meteorology, coupled with
the continued application of forecast computer models,
CONCLUSION
will extend the time range and accuracy of the dynamic
and statistical forecast.
• Additionally, a better understanding of the problems
encountered by the mariner and there implications
while offshore will assist the routing agency in making
appropriate recommendations.
