TheDecisiontoEvadeorRemaininPort
THE DECISION TO EVADE OR REMAIN IN PORT
If winds of 35-40 kt are expected, ships should remain in the harbor. Due to the limited fetch of the lagoon, winds in this range would not generate excessive waves or swell. Small harbor craft could be moored at existing pier structures and larger ships could be anchored in the lee anchorage. Underwater reefs surrounding the harbor entrance also act to filter any exceptional sea or swell. If winds of about 60 kt or more are expected, ships should sortie from the lagoon because the low profile of the atoll does not offer any shelter to vessels in the lagoon when winds of this intensity are present. In addition, there are no mooring buoys in the anchorage area. A sortie north is therefore recommended for all severe tropical cyclone threat situations and it is reiterated that Diego Garcia is not a typhoon haven.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/diegogar/text/sect3.htm
