By Wasana Nadeeshani Sellahewa
(Commonwealth) _ Numerous issues might occur for ships due to various maritime circumstances. These difficulties include shifting weather patterns, seawater impacts, navigational difficulties, and topographical considerations. However, the largest question mark regarding their capacity for survival is related to how well the ships withstand storms.
As a result of their advantageous topography, the tropical areas experience the most storms. Each year, this belt is the starting point of 75–85 storms on average. 60% of these, however, do not harm the soil. These storms vary from one another in terms of their size, intensity, and behavior. While the smaller ones vanish in 24 to 48 hours, the larger ones might remain for more than a week!
This includes their capacity to maneuver securely, adhere to proper seamanship principles, and use contemporary communication methods. Each year, less than 200 vessels (of all sizes) are involved in marine mishaps and capsize. There are a variety of causes for storms at sea. The pressure differential, however, is the primary cause. In terms of surface and total temperatures, oceans react differently from land. The air warms up in tandem with a gradual increase in surface temperature.
As a result, a pressure draft is created, with the lighter air rising to the top. As a result, there is a decrease in pressure near the surface. As a result, the air in the area rushes inward in a circular pattern. A cyclone is formed when this area of depression generates a circular pattern of ferocious air and water movement. Tornadoes develop when the winds in a region quickly decrease due to the passing clouds. This encourages air to come down from a relatively high location. As a result, ships might see sea tornadoes that reach heights of 150 meters.
Additionally, these disruptive forces’ average speed exceeds 50 mph! This causes their entire neighborhood to face strong winds and heavy rain. High waves and intense rolling for vessels are what these wind forces cause to follow. Each year, the number of maritime mishaps caused by bad weather is falling because to advances in marine technology. About 16 seagoing boats reported severe weather causing irreversible damage in 2019.
Thus, modern technology advancements have a significant role in how ships survive at sea during storms. The advent of ECDIS in the early 2000s has been the most important advance for the survivability of seagoing ships. In contrast to the drawbacks of paper charts, the Electronic Chart Display and Information System has considerably increased in popularity.
The display allows for the use of additional tools even if it lacks dynamic capabilities. The navigation team gains a lot from accurate charts and neighboring vessel behavior trends. In situations where the navigational patterns must alter, it offers them a significant edge. ECDIS is still a chart while having an electronic genesis and advantages. As a result, the navigating officers have the knowledge they need to choose the course that will ensure the ship’s safety.
This crucial information is provided by weather routing organizations, both public and private. Each shipping operator links their ship to these high-end weather routing services. The ships receive information about their next location at the time of departure. The second officer then joins a route acceptable for getting to the location within the parameters of safety. The weather routing agency provides an update on the storms along the route as the weather changes. This enables a spacecraft to either completely alter its path or alter its speed accordingly. Most of these warnings use the regional channels of communication. A vessel will announce its desire to enter their waters well in advance. The local authorities then monitor their whereabouts and, if required, issue warnings concurrently.
