Mariners Warned: Small Craft Advisory in Effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued an urgent marine weather warning, placing small craft operators across several Eastern Caribbean territories on notice as hazardous sea conditions develop in the region.

The Small Craft Advisory, issued at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, June 1, covers Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, with the warning primarily affecting open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands out to 20 nautical miles.

Timing of the Advisory

The advisory is in effect from pre-dawn Tuesday until Thursday midday for Antigua and Barbuda, from Tuesday midnight until Wednesday afternoon for Anguilla, and from Wednesday pre-dawn until Wednesday midday for the British Virgin Islands.

Dangerous Sea Conditions

Moderate to fresh winds are producing a combination of wind waves and wind swells, resulting in hazardous seas mainly on the Atlantic sides of the islands. Winds over open waters are forecast at 24 to 35 km/h, with strong gusts reaching up to 56 km/h.

Significant wave heights are expected to reach 1.4 to 2.1 metres, occasionally rising to near 2.7 metres, with a dominant wind-wave period of 6 to 9 seconds. A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 17 to 21 knots and wind waves of 7 feet or greater are occurring or imminent.

Threat to Life and Livelihood

The threat level to the life, livelihood, property, and infrastructure of mariners is assessed as moderate, with the potential for significant impacts. Forecasters have warned of the risk of loss of life at sea, injuries to mariners, capsize or damage to vessels and marine equipment, financial losses, disruption to fisheries and scarcity of fish products, and disruption to marine transportation.

Inexperienced Mariners Urged to Stay Ashore

The Meteorological Service has issued a direct caution to inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, to avoid navigating in these conditions.

Fishermen, water taxi operators, pleasure craft owners, and all others who work or travel on the water are urged to take the advisory seriously and delay any non-essential sea voyages until conditions improve.

Residents are asked to stay tuned to updates from the Meteorological Service at antiguamet.com and across social media platforms at @abmetservice on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, as well as ABS Radio and TV and other media platforms.

The advisory was issued by Forecaster Letitia Humphreys.