Summary
ACAPULCO
SUMMARY
The Port of Acapulco is considered to be a protected harbor for the purpose of avoiding or reducing the effects of a passing tropical cyclone. Historically, hurricanes have had little impact on the Port based on their tracks, their strength, the topography of the Port, and refractive effects on lessening wave action on the north side of Acapulco Bay. Additionally, storms originate normally within 72 hours of CPA south of the Port, and that allows very little time and margin of safety to depart from the Port, cross the T, and maneuver to evade northwesterly heading tropical cyclones.
According to the information received during the site visit in August 2002, no tropical cyclone has caused damage to ships in Acapulco. However, the climatology indicates that the highest probability of a direct threat to Acapulco would be during the May or June timeframe.
The Port is considered to be a safe haven at anchorage within Bahia de Santa Lucia. An anchorage is considered to be the safest location during a worst-case scenario. Use of the primary pier is not recommended since it can be impacted by swell from passing tropical cyclones.
Approximately 20-25 U. S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships visit the Port each year. A Mexican Naval base is located on the southeastern side of Acapulco bay but is never used for visiting Naval or Coast Guard ships.
Current weather conditions can be found at http://acapulco.com/en/weather/index.html
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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/mexico/acapulc/text/summary.htm
