1. All Ship Masters, Owners & Ship Agents for foreign & local ships, Pilots and Port Management
Companies/Operators, Marinas and Yacht Clubs are advised that the tropical cyclone season has
commenced from 1st November 2025.
2. All are required to take precautionary measures to keep yourselves, your crews, passengers, cargoes
and the ships safe.
3. Any action taken must not pose undue risk to seafarers and their vessels within the sheltering area
during this period.
4. The table below indicates wind strength and expected damages near tropical cyclone centre.
| TC Category | Average Wind (km/h) | Strongest Gusts (km/h) | Central Pressure (hpa) | Typical Effects |
| 1 | 63-89 | Below 125 (Gales) | Below 985 | Negligible house damage; d trees and caravans; boats may drag moorings. amage to some crops, |
| 2 | 90-124 | 125-169 (Destructive winds) | 985-971 | Minor house damage; significant damage to signs, trees and caravans; heavy damage to some crops; risk of power failure; small craft may break moorings. |
| 3 | 125-164 | 170-224 (Very destructive winds) | 970-956 | Some roof and structural damage; some caravans destroyed; power failure likely. |
| 4 | 165-224 | 225-279 (Very destructive winds) | 955-931 | Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris; widespread power failures. |
| 5 | Above 224 | Above 280 (Very destructive winds) | Below 931 | Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction. |
5. All Masters are advised to take early action and preventative measures based on good professional
judgement combined with the observance of good seamanship practice to ensure that seafarers and
the vessels under their command is kept safe.
6. Masters must listen to all marine weather bulletins and tropical cyclone updates issued from the Fiji
Meteorological Service (www.met.gov.fj) and transmitted through the Suva Coast Radio Station
(3DP) and also broadcast through the commercial radio stations.
7. Ship safety is the Master’s responsibility therefore the Master must take all necessary action to keep
their ship safe at all times.
8. Ship owners must provide all necessary support to Masters of their vessels to ensure that the ship is
kept safe during the tropical cyclone season.
ILIESA BATISARESARE
A/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji
07 November 2025