4,529 people boarded Royal Caribbean’s ‘anthem of the seas’ in Bayonne, New Jersey for a luxury, once in a lifetime cruise to the Bahamas. Most passengers and remarkably even the captain was unaware of what they were facing. Must have felt like the ‘perfect storm’ as they set sail.
This is what they we’re facing.
Credit: Stu Ostro
As the world’s 3rd largest ocean liner departed New York harbour Saturday, a storm system was gathering rapidly off Florida.
This system gained strength incredibly fast, helped by abnormally warm water and the Gulf Stream.
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
An extra-tropical cyclone was born, fed by a mix of baroclinicity (strong and conducive upper winds and clash between warm and cold air) and warm water, hence extra-tropical and the distinct look of a hurricane with even an eye.
Even though IT WAS FORECAST to be a major ocean storm system which brought snow to parts of the East Coast, the cruise liner remained on a course straight into the teeth of this 100+ mph beast.
This was the result…
Credit: Cathy Leicht Crane
Via Daily Mirror
90kt apparent wind!
Credit: Linda Galgano
https://youtu.be/9gvBcwbfeyA
Storm Was Unexpected?
As you can see from the captain in the above video. This storm was ‘unexpected’. Hum.
The below was issued the WEDNESDAY before the Sunday event!
DAYS prior to this vessel setting sail, the storm forming off the coast was expected to be ‘historically strong’.
Credit: WeatherBell
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
Remember the apparent wind. True wind and vessel speed…
See this morning’s video for the discussion.
TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Dickelbers
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