Urgent – Marine Weather Message
Special Marine Statement – Hazardous Seas
Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services
7:30 PM Friday, 26 January 2018
A special marine statement for small craft operators is in effect for the British Virgin Islands from tonight
until Wednesday, 31 January 2018 and for Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Leeward Islands
from Saturday morning, 27 January until Wednesday, 31 January 2018.
Hazardous seas due to a combination of sea swells and wind waves are expected to be a threat to the
life and property of mariners.
Small craft warning in effect for Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Leeward Islands and British Virgin
Islands.
Winds: East-northeast at 15 to 25 knots with frequent higher gusts. Gusts to around gale force (tropical
storm force) – 34 knots are possible, mainly Saturday night through late Monday. The winds are expected
to be above 20 knots across the British Virgin Islands from as early as tonight through Monday, and for
the rest of the area, from Saturday through Monday.
Waves/seas: 2 to 4 metres or 7 to 13 feet, occasional reaching 5.0 metres or 17 feet, mainly in open
waters north and east of the islands. The highest seas are expected on Sunday and Monday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions: A small craft warning means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots and
or seas of 7 feet or greater are expected to produce hazardous wave conditions to small crafts.
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid navigating in these
conditions. For the above-mentioned conditions, small craft operators should stay in port.
Forecaster: Dale Destin
