Cyclone coming – now what?
I have never been through a cyclone in open sea, although I have been through a couple on the boat and several more on land. If I never have to sweat another one at all, that is just fine with me.
Robyn and I have been regular seafarers under our own command for a few years now and electronic communication technology is changing rapidly. There is no point analysing the history of how cruising yachties get their weather info. The bad news can come from just about anywhere, or it may come from your own resources of eyes, barometer and brains as I will explain.
Be aware, the cyclone season is said to be December to April, but only July has no historical record of a cyclone striking anywhere on the tropical coast of Australia. Cyclones are erratic and the historical plots of cyclones gone-by are full of ‘ziggers’ and ‘loopers’.
If the existence of a cyclone is known to the authorities, every effort will be made to spread the news far and wide. Any advice will contain the best estimate of the location of the centre of the storm as well as its speed and direction of movement.
Even if you are only in possession of one such advice, there is a tried and tested method to determine individual risk. Plot the cyclone’s centre on a chart and lay off a line on its direction of movement.
From the centre, lay off two additional lines at 30 degrees, one each
