Summary
SUMMARY
The Port of Suva is not a tropical cyclone haven. All berths in the Port are vulnerable to wind and wave damage, but are protected from open ocean waves. The Port of Suva is susceptible to storm surge.
The main feature of storms in this area are that the tracks are very erratic compared to other basins and the storms do not exhibit the classical recurvature pattern. Although situated on the leeward side of Viti Levu Island, it is possible for storms to make landfall on the "back" side of the island and fully inpact Suva. Accordingly, Suva can be impacted by a large surge and high winds with the right storm. As reported In the List of Tropical Cyclones affecting Fiji from 1830 to 2000 Seasons,"a severe hurricane on the 20th of February, 1941 put ocean-going vessels ashore in Suva Harbor with a recorded maximum wind of 100 mph." Additionally, a moderate hurricane on the 30th of December, 1959 produced high seas in southern Viti Levu that were described as being in the nature of tidal waves that swept inland and destroyed many coastal villages.
According to an article in the Fiji Times dated March 12, 1997, Tropical Cyclone Gavin caused four ships to go aground on the Suva Harbor reefs. Captain Malcolm Peckham stated that beacons and navigational aids were also impacted.
Light rain occurs frequently and visibility is sometimes reduced to less than ¼ mile.
Approximately 15 U. S. Navy ships visited the Port each year prior to 9/11.
Current weather conditions can be found at http://www.met.gov.fj/. A secondary source is via the website http://www.weather.com/.
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This hurricane haven evaluation was prepared by
R. G. Handlers of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Monterey, CA. and S. Brand of Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, CA.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/fiji/suva/text/summary.htm
