Summary
MAZATLAN
SUMMARY
The Port of Mazatlan is not a tropical cyclone haven. The port is vulnerable to wind and storm surge. Tropical cyclones in the Mazatlan area tend to be slow moving but quite variable in their tracks and development. Thirty-three of the 65 tropical cyclone tracks passing within 180 nmi of Mazatlan from 1949-1999 did not extend back to 72 hours. The evasion routes can also vary from straight west and then north around the Baja Peninsula to proceeding south along the coast. An evasion route into the Gulf of California is not recommended.
A notable weather phenomenon that occurs frequently during the summer hurricane season is a "torito." This type of squall can last more than 30 minutes and is accompanied by thunder and lightning and winds up to 40 kt.
It is the recommendation of this evaluation that all U. S. Navy ships sortie from the Port whenever Mazatlan is threatened by a tropical cyclone, and not wait to be ordered by the port authorities to put to sea. Local hurricane statistics indicate that winds of hurricane strength (greater than or equal to 64 kt) were observed in the Mazatlan area 6 times during the 43 year period 1943 - 1985. On two occasions winds over 100 kt were measured. Additionally, pilots indicated during a site visit in February 2000 that a storm surge of 15-20 ft (4.6-6.1 m) was encountered during a hurricane in 1975. Damage to piers and tugboats was extensive. It should also be noted that the weather limit for dockworkers in Mazatlan is a wind speed of 25 kt.
Approximately 15-20 U. S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships visit the port each year.
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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/mazatlan/text/summary.htm
