Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-03T02:03:48.541Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Ship-based Weather Routing Using Dynamical Meteorology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2009

R. Motte
Affiliation:
(Faculty of Maritime Studies, Plymouth)

Extract

Many vessels trading on North Atlantic routes are equipped with weather facsimile receiving devices of various types. Ship-masters engaged on regular voyages in this area are thus able to conduct their own passage planning using the information readily available from these intruments. The capital cost in relation to other ship operation costs is negligible; in US dollars (1983) it is likely to be of the order:

There would be no problem in planning a vessel's route across an ocean if it were possible to forecast with total accuracy the actual sea state existing for the duration of a voyage. Such an ideal circumstance does not yet exist and a method must thus be used which incorporates flexibility to modify a voyage plan as actual weather varies from the prognosis. This means that a subjective approach to storm avoidance may, on occasions, be preferable to the stringent demands of a least-time track. The obsession of routing agencies with the latter method may be one reason why weather routing has not achieved the success it perhaps deserves.

A ship may be damaged or delayed by the action of sea waves on her hull or structure. Hull form and ship dimensions are usually selected on the basis of calm-water performance, rather than for sustained sea-speed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 1983

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1Green, J. S. A. (1970). Transfer properties of the large-scale eddies and the general circulation of the atmosphere. Q. JI R Met Soc, 96, 175.Google Scholar
2Motte, R. (1974). Air motion and vorticity in an extra-tropical cyclone. Safety of Sea International, 38, 28.Google Scholar
3Motte, R. (1973). Weather Routeing of Ships, Stanford, London.Google Scholar
4Heijboer, D. (1974). Weather routeing – a modern aid to navigation. Fairplay International, March, 8.Google Scholar
5James, R. W. (1957). Applications of Wave Forecasts to Marine Navigation. US Navy Hydrographic Office, SP 1, Washington DC.Google Scholar
6Motte, R. (1970). Weather routeing for safety. Safety of Sea International, 20.Google Scholar
7Leemrayse, G. (1980). The loss of the Lash Ship Muenchen, Hansa.Google Scholar