TORNADO WARNINGS! WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE?

For quite a few years now weather forecasters, skywarn severe weather spotters, storm chasers and emergency management professionals have been pro-active in educating the public and school children to the risks of severe weather.

(Pix: New Disney attraction To Teach Storm Safety)

Initiatives such as recommending and even legislating ( in some States ) mandatory purchase and or installation of severe weather alert radios for some new modular homes and to the general public at large. Initiatives to build better storm shelters, and modular homes are also being discussed. Of course there are some communities and their leaders who think this is unreasonable or cost prohibitive.

However during the recent tornado outbreaks of January and February the loss of life has been extensive. To date the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has preliminary numbers of reported twisters raging across the United States for the 5 February 2008 event at approximately 103, with associated deaths at approximately 66. This does not include some 250 wind reports and some 124 hail reports, for a total of 477 reports filed with the SPC just for that day.

Many of these death (14) were in mobile homes and with many people caught off guard or at the very last moment without knowledge of the watch or warning. However and not to down play the tragedy of the loss of human life and there is no intent on my part to do so. But all reported deaths so far, were either under a WS- Severe Thunderstorm Watch or a Tornado Watch or Warnings. There has been much talk and debate on whether or not there was ample time for people to receive the watches and warnings and or whether or not there was even any warnings at all.

The morning of Super Tuesday, 5 February 2008, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center had issued very early projections . These projections were delivered to all National Weather Services (NWS) Offices as well as all news media outlets and other federal, state and local agencies and organizations. Many weather related email listserves were jumping the morning of the 5th. News media meteorologists who forecast their own reports were well advised of the potential of these storms. Both NWS and the news outlets were very diligent in both forecasting and warnings with some outlets warning even in advance of the official warning being issued. Skywarn Storm Spotters and Chasers were ready and in many cases in position in advance of these storms.

Skywarn is a program the National Weather Service uses to improve severe storm warnings. Trained volunteers serve as storm spotters and chasers. These spotters pass on vital "ground truth" information to forecasters during severe weather events. They are the eyes and ears not only for forecasters, but for the community as a whole.

Take for example, Arkansas Storm Spotter George Hoelzeman who was already active and out attempting to position himself to spot and chasing the storm, which decided to dropped in on his 120ac property doing significant damage to the woodlands on his property. The twisters track looks to have come approximately 1/5 to 1/4 mile or maybe slightly closer to his home, though he had two of the reported twister fatalities right in his own back yard.

They were his neighbors and one lived in a mobile home and had a son who lived next door in a brick home. Apparently the parents did not know the storm was approaching until their son who was either alerted to it or saw it coming over a hill and attempted to phone his parents to warn them, when the phone line went dead. That's when the son saw the mobile home go up. Both the mobile home and his brick home were destroyed.

The son, who suffered from several injuries including a piece of wood embedded into his thigh, was taken to the hospital by George. Amazingly enough the son walked almost a mile thru downed trees and power lines to the nearest paved highway where George was making his way back when he picked him up. George being a storm spotter, ham radio operator and weather geek is one of the reasons why his family was alerted and why they were safe.

Spotters and chasers like Geroge are hero's in my book... Most of George's neighbors rely on watching TV for their warnings or have relatives call them. In his area there are very few basements or storm shelters and apparently many people have been living under the misconception that tornadoes can't get them in hilly areas.

The 5 February 2008 storms were numerous rare fast movers are very hard to track and chase. But the National Weather Service and news meteorologists did a outstanding job of tracking and warning as the storms developed and took shape. There were hundreds of watches and warning issued as these storms traveled thru the United States. So many watches and warnings that keeping track of them all was difficult at times.

However there were also a number of news reports (such as, Twisters catch residents off-guard" stating that some people in the effected areas did not get warnings and that one local rural Emergency Management Agency (EMA) did not have sirens. While sirens are designed for out door warning and not reliable for in door and especially at night when people are asleep. What works for one community as far as sirens does not mean it works for all communities and people must just not learn how to protect themselves. But follow through with what they did learn (Residents must rely on themselves for tornado warnings) .

I am sure that there were some that got late warnings and some that were not tuned to the warnings. Moreover, the ones who got late warnings were either not tuned to the weather around them or alerted late by friends and relatives that day or were focused on the news of the day, the Super Tuesday Elections, or some other program or event. Or were part of what I call the "Ambient Clueless Factor". Like those who believe that tornadoes can't get them in hilly areas. While some were even brazen enough to go play in the approaching storms knowing that twisters were out there.....

Here are two examples of how people get themselves injured or killed in severe weather (video provided by Storm Spotter Beau Dodson). Note the warning sirens in the background. (warning strong language).




And




Whats it going to take?

Like I said, The National Weather Service, many news outlets, storm spotters and chasers and local emergency management agencies spend a lot of time and money to educate folk preparing them for severe weather. Rural Emergency Management Agencies, many of which are staffed by volunteers, are being short changed by a federal funding system that favors large populations with a emphasis more on terrorism than natural disasters and cannot afford the staffs or equipment they need. But they get the blame anyway for not having the staffs or equipment they need so very badly. My questions here are, where are the local elected officials in these cases? Or are they part of the ambient clueless factor?

Yes there is no guarantee that anyone would survive a disaster or incident even with advanced warning. But if we take the percentage of survival from fire because of early warning by a well maintained smoke detector and a evacuation plan (the risk of death by fire is reduced by 82 percent ). Then we can assume that the percentage of death from tornadoes from well maintained weather alert radios along with a plan of action, can do the same thing. While NOAA is continually expanding it's repeaters, especially in rural areas where reception is lacking.

So what's its going to take for people to start paying attention to the environment and their surroundings? What's it going to take for people who are willing to go out and buy smoke detectors to provide them with early warning of a fire in their homes, but not spend the money to buy a good NOAA Severe Weather Alert Radio? Especially these days? And what is it going to take for people to smarten up and not play with Mother Nature?

It appears death is not a deterrent to some, while the ambient clueless factor seems to play a leading role in many cases.

Take a moment to think about the loss of life and property damage that was caused by these storms. What's your plan to prepare your family for acts of Mother Nature like tornadoes and severe weather?

What's it going to take?

MARITIME NOTES:

M/F Riverdance WebCam

UK Vessel Incidents Three different vessels ran into trouble recently in the United Kingdom; the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch also issued the report on its investigation of the Young Lady, which dragged its anchor and dislodged a natural gas pipeline in June of last year


RS

Twister Perliminary Report. The UND Adriyatik Fire. And The Mid-West Snow Storm!

Though this report is a preliminary report since it will take the Storm Prediction Center (SPC ) sometime to tally the official count.

This is still put together very well and one heck of a snap shot for February 2008.

It sure was a Super Tuesday! There were some 211 to 215 watches and warnings issued by my count.

The below posted report was compiled by KMTV Morning Meteorologist C.T. Thongklin of Action 3 News, and First Warning Weather Blog in Omaha, Nebraska. As far any reports of twisters in Southern Illinois. As of this writing, NWS St. Louis documented wind damage in southern IL, but no tornado.... Yet! But I am told that while some NWS offices are still surveying damage. So far there is not as many tornadoes or as widespread as the April 3, 1974 outbreak . Though probably the worst since the May 2003 outbreak.

Remember, take a moment of your day, to remember those lost and those displaced from these Super Tuesday's twisters, heavy seas, recent floods and snow storms, worldwide. It's been one hell of a start for 2008!

C.T. Thongklin's Analysis!

One thing concerns me from this chart is how far the 2008 curve (red line) is above 2005, 2006, 2007 and the 10-year average. From the quantity of tornadoes the U.S. has experienced this year, we can safely classify 2008 as an anomaly so far.

Also notice that we typically experience between 1,000 and 1,300 tornadoes per year in the entire U.S.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), 83% of all tornadoes in the U.S. are F0 (40-72 mph) and 98% are below F3 (158-207 mph) intensity. That leaves about 2% as F3 or stronger! Keep in mind that the ratings I mentioned of F0 and F3 are part of the old Fujita scale of damage. The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) became operational on 1 February 2007.

If you are curious, the following is the severe weather climatology of the Omaha/Valley National Weather Service Forecast Area. The following images represent the climatology within the WSR-88D radar range of 124 nautical miles from the radar site in Valley.

Total Severe Weather Reports during the period 1980-2006 (red = tornado, green = hail 3/4" or larger, blue = damaging wind or 50+ kts. wind)

Significant Severe Weather Reports during the period 1980-2006 (red = F2 or stronger tornado, green = hail 2" or larger, blue = 65+ kts. wind)

In terms of tornado frequency, the Omaha radar site ranks 3rd out of 141 other weather radar sites across the country! #1 is the Oklahoma City NWS radar site and #2 is the Goodland, KS, NWS radar site. In the Omaha radar site, 56 tornadoes is the average, using data from 1980-2006. Despite this high number, the Omaha radar site ranks #18 for F2 or stronger tornadoes out of the other 141 sites.

Using the same data, tornado frequency is highest between 3:00 pm CDT and 11:00 pm CDT in the Omaha radar area.

The last deadly tornado to occur in our area was the Hallam tornado (22 May 2004) that killed 1 person and injured 38 people.

Lets hope that our spring won't be too active! Now is the time to prepare for "tornado season" by crafting an evacuation plan at your home and practicing drills, along with keeping an emergency kit ready to go. One possible factor into the high number of deaths into Tuesday's outbreak was the time of day...mainly after midnight. Your television set or radio can't wake you up, but your best defense is a programmable or Specific Area Message Encoder (S.A.M.E.) NOAA Weather Radio. These radios are often between $29-$69 and can be programmed exclusively for your county and even for certain types of warnings, such as a tornado warning. When the alarm sounds, you can execute your emergency plan immediately, even though you may not be aware of what the weather is doing around you at 3 in the morning. You can purchase one of these radios at sporting goods stores, big box retailers and nationwide electronics retailers.

I'll write more on weather radios and severe weather preparation in future posts, but for now, please mark this date on your calendar...Saturday, 29 March 2008. It is the Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium on the UNL campus. It is a FREE public-oriented educational event discussing tornadoes, severe weather safety and you'll also have a chance to meet your favorite television weathercasters (besides me! ha ha). At this time, I plan on being there, but Dean and even Ryan my join me at this year's symposium.

The following websites were used extensively for stating factual information for this post:

National Climatic Data Center Tornado Climatology http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/tornadoes.html

SPC OAX Severe Weather Climatology http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/rda/OAX.html

More information on weather radios can be found at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/oax/?n=nwr_mainhttp://www.weather.gov/nwr/ or

Information about the 2008 Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium can be found at http://www.cpsws.unl.edu/

KENTUCKY TORNADO UPDATE

Seems as if Storm Chaser Dan Robinson of Storm Highway has caught the EF2 Twister that struck Crofton, Ky on camera..

MARITIME NOTES

Firefight Explosion fears over Turkish ship

Lloyd's List - Ed Holt - Thursday 7 February 2008

SPECIAL firefighting planes were dispatched off the Croatian coast after a fire broke out on a Turkish trading ship, writes Ed Holt.

The 193 m long Undadriyatik was transporting 200 trucks and 11 tonnes of oil to the Italian port of Trieste when the fire started yesterday morning as the ship was 16 nm off the western Croatian town of Rovinj.

The Greek vessel Ikarus Palace, which was nearby, answered a distress call and all 22 crew members on board and nine others on the vessel were rescued.

The upper deck of the ship had been completely burnt out by yesterday afternoon and authorities said there was a fear of an explosion if the flames reached the oil on board.

It was unclear if the fire had spread to other parts of the ship but rescue officials said they believe the ship is likely to sink.

THE M/F RIVERDANCE

Seatruck Ferries’ Riverdance, which remains aground off Blackpool, lost a further five trailers overboard on Tuesday night when the ship shifted at high water. From first light yesterday, teams worked to remove debris on the starboard side of the ferry to ensure a salvage team could access the ship by rigid inflatable. Pumps are being lifted onto the vessel as the salvors want to correct a 50° list before commencing operations to remove bunkers.

FROM HOLLAND AND KNIGHT

Casino boat blown about by Hurricane Katrina still not a vessel

In an unpublished decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that a permanently-moored casino boat is not a vessel. In the instant case, the casino boat, floating in a marina in Biloxi, Mississippi, was moored to six steel dolphins using heavy “H” beams and received water and electricity from land-based sources. During Hurricane Katrina, the casino boat was ripped from its moorings, carried several thousand feet through flood waters and over a highway, and crashed into a hotel. The owner of the casino boat filed suit, seeking exoneration from or limitation of liability under the Shipowners’ Limitation of Liability Act. The hotel owner filed a counterclaim, seeking recovery of damages. The court held that a watercraft that has been permanently moored is not capable of being used in for maritime transport and, thus, is not a vessel for purposes of federal admiralty jurisdiction. Petitioner’s argument that the casino boat was “in navigation” when it struck the hotel was found to be unavailing. In the Matter of Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC, No. 07-60330 (5th Cir., January 31, 2008).

UK – salvage begins for stranded ro-ro ferry

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that salvage has commenced on the ro-ro ferry that stranded near Blackpool. No pollution has been reported. A second press notice states that salvage gear is being placed on the ferry. (2/6/08).

USCG Marine Safety Program

Without fanfare, the US Coast Guard posted the insightful analysis of the agency’s Marine Safety Program undertaken by VADM James C. Card, USCG (ret). The major recommendations of this report are to increase the emphasis of the program within the Coast Guard, while improving interaction with the marine industry. The agency also released a one-page Marine Safety Overview, providing an indication of how it intends to achieve these goals. Related background material includes Admiral Thad Allen’s Address to the Washington, DC Propeller Club on September 19, 2007 and a Marine Safety Plan of September 25, 2007. The Coast Guard has now formally recognized that its recent relationship with the marine industry was in disrepair and can be expected to move forward with all deliberate speed to address the various issues. The agency is counting on the many segments of the marine industry to renew and enhance this long-standing and vital partnership. (2/8/08).

NOTES FROM THE BRIDGE

Maritime Affairs responds to captains' cry
Thursday February 07 2008

by Akedia Christopher

Director of Maritime Affairs McClean Hobson has thrown down a gauntlet to captains to introduce an alternative measure which they think would be more feasible to account for travelling passengers.

This came after captains expressed their disapproval in the new initiative in which passengers would be required to give their names when travelling on the ferries without having to produce photo identification.

He said if they have any information to help the process, they should contact the Maritime Department

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DESK
by Arthur Rabjohn CEM

GLOBAL: Tipping Points Could Come This Century
The tipping points include the collapse of the Indian summer monsoon. A number of key components of the earth's climate system could pass their 'tipping point' this century, according to new research led by a scientist at the University of East Anglia. Published by the prestigious international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), the researchers have coined a new term, 'tipping elements', to describe those components of the climate system that are at risk of passing a tipping point. The term 'tipping point' is used to describe a critical threshold at which a small change in human activity can have large, long-term consequences for the Earth's climate system.

BOLIVIA; Severe flooding caused by weeks of heavy rain have left 48 people dead and some 40,000 families homeless. Two rivers in the Beni province have broken their banks. A state of emergency has been declared. Among the worst-hit areas are the eastern provinces of Beni and Santa Cruz as well as Cochabamba in central Bolivia. Several thousand people have been moved from areas at risk in Beni, where the River Mamore has broken its banks.

CHILE: Llaima volcano is erupting, prompting the evacuation of some tourists. Columns of ash and smoke rose from the crater up to 5,000m above the volcano that is located 700km south of the capital Santiago. If its activity increases, authorities will need to take evacuate the residents.

MOZAMBIQUE: Thousands of people have been evacuated from the Zambezi river valley, as Zambia would release water from the Kariba dam. The water is expected to flow down the Zambezi into areas of Mozambique already struggling to cope with high flood waters. In Mozambique there are already 100,000 evacuees and the reception centres are full to capacity. Another 40,000 will be evacuated. Mozambican authorities have managed well the crisis so far, but the pressure from the continuing rainfall is putting immense strain on the already overstretched resources.

LASTLY
From Gilbert Sebenste, Staff Meteorologist, Northern Illinois University

Illinois and Wisconsin Snow Totals

Stay dry and have a GREAT Weekend!

RS

FLOODS, TWISTERS, SNOW AND THE RIVERDANCE

Wild weather returns

State hit again with storms, flooding

By Kevin O'Neal

February 6, 2008

In January, people living along the Tippecanoe River were flooded out of their homes by a combination of snowmelt and heavy rain.

One month later, it's happening again, with more rain causing flooding in the area.The weather hasn't spared Central Indiana, either, as storms smacked the area with heavy rain and a possible tornado Tuesday night. Indiana's strangely volatile weather, which in the past month has seen swings from snow to thunderstorms, and tornadoes to snow and sleet, has moved back to an imitation of spring. A wave of thunderstorms crossed Central Indiana on Tuesday, causing damage in Putnam County about 9:30 p.m.

The Web site of the National Weather Service reported that U.S. 231 south of Greencastle was blocked by debris and that trailers, cars and trees were damaged at U.S. 231 and U.S. 36. There also was a report of a possible tornado west of Bainbridge.

Indiana State Police at the Putnamville post said buildings had been damaged in Bainbridge, including a fire station and a small restaurant. Continued Wild weather returns.

TORNADOES

AIR Worldwide Surveys Super Tuesday Tornadoes

February 6, 2008

More than two dozen tornadoes tore through the mid-South late last night, destroying homes, barns, and industrial buildings from Texas to Ohio. The severe thunderstorm outbreak, which included tornados, hail, heavy rain and lightning, killed nearly 50 people and injured 100 more.

"Tuesday's severe weather was caused by a strong, developing low pressure system that moved out of east Texas during the day," said Dr. Tim Doggett, senior research meteorologist at AIR Worldwide. "As the system moved into the Mississippi Valley, cold air from the plains was drawn southward. It clashed with the warm, humid air ahead of the system, triggering a cold front. The resulting cold front caused widespread thunderstorm formation in the middle of unstable air feeding in from the Gulf of Mexico. A dynamic jet stream located above the system provided the wind shear that fueled the numerous tornadoes."

The Storm Prediction Center has collected more than 70 reports of tornadoes, though the actual number of individual events is probably fewer. AIR meteorologists analyzed the SPC data and, based on time/space continuity of the reports, defined 25 individual tornados. In addition to the tornado reports, the SPC has recorded near 200 reports of straight-line winds and 112 reports of hail. There were several reports of hailstones the size of softballs (4.25").

In Tennessee, which suffered the worst damage, 15 students at Union University were trapped in their dormitories as shattered window and ceiling debris from a hard-hitting tornado prevented their escape. Approximately 40 percent of student housing buildings were destroyed, and classes at the university have been canceled for the next two weeks for cleanup. In Jackson, Tennessee, collapsed wreckage trapped fifty residents inside a retirement home. Last night's tornadoes also pulled a roof off a hangar at the international airport in Memphis. Forty miles outside Nashville, a tornado that struck a compressor station set off a natural gas fire that could be seen in the sky for miles around. The blaze was put out early Wednesday morning.

In Arkansas, a tornado that touched down overturned trucks on Interstate 40. Thirty homes were destroyed in Atkins, prompting the Red Cross to put up shelters. Officials in Gassville sealed off the entire town after concerns that storm-related gas leaks would result in an explosion. A damaged hospital in Mountain View was forced to close its emergency room.

In Muhlenberg County in western Kentucky, storms killed at least three people at a mobile home park. Meanwhile, a downpour that started in Evansville last night at 9 p.m. flooded major roads, causing street crews to barricade road access. Officials in surrounding counties reported heavy rains, downed trees and additional flooding. To the west, in Lafayette, Missouri, two industrial buildings, several homes and a church were destroyed by tornado winds, and in Ozark, there were reports of softball-sized hail. Heavy downpours prompted officials in Indiana to open the floodgates on Carroll County's Oakdale Dam, freeing excess water at a rate of 18,000 cubic feet per second. In Mississippi, the Emergency Management Agency estimated that 20 to 30 tornadoes pummeled the state in areas above the state capital of Jackson. A tornado damaged more than 30 homes at Fort Riley in Kansas.

AIR is dispatching a team to survey the worst damage and will provide updates as information becomes available.

FROM NWS Indianapolis

• Feb. 5 Storms, Damage Surveys Completed, 1 Tornado...
• DAMAGE SURVEYS ARE IN PROGRESS
• The Largest Flood of the Season for Much of Central and Southern Indiana

FROM NWS Louisville, Ky

• February 6, 2008 Tornado Tracks in Hardin County
• Ten Tornadoes Confirmed -- Updated 820pm EST
• Damage Survey Teams in Progress and More on Thursday

SNOW! AND WE MEAN SNOW!

FROM NWS Milwaukee, Wi

Updated 545 pm CST: Rusty Kapela, WCM

TIME LAPSE VIDEO OF Milwaukee Storm

I also recieved this report from a Milwaukee Spotter earlier this evening (1830hrs).

"EOC is activating in Milwaukee County.

People are stuck on city busses, which are stuck in the snow, all over the city right now. Request came in to the American Red Cross to provide blankets to those on the busses. The Fire Chief from Mitchell International Airport called the Red Cross requesting 100 blankets for stranded travelers there. All flights are canceled. Ambulances are getting stuck around the city.

Snow plows are being pulled off the city streets in Green and Rock Counties."

This pix came in earlier today from Milwaukee Spotter Bob Wade

NWS Chicago Snow Reports

Storm Reports for February 5th and 6th Snow Storm

MARITIME NOTES - RIVERDANCE UPDATE

Beached ship tourists risk arrest

People who enter the exclusion zone around the stricken Riverdance ferry risk a fine or arrest, police said.

The ship, which is listing at about 50 degrees, has turned into a tourist attraction since running aground on Blackpool beach on Thursday.

HM Coastguard said onlookers straying too close during the salvage operation were putting themselves in danger.

Lancashire Police said they would step in to help the private security firm maintaining the 400m exclusion zone.

The Riverdance had been heading from Warrenpoint, County Down, to Heysham, Lancashire, last week when it was hit by a freak wave.

Twenty-three people were lifted to safety, including 19 crew and four passengers.

The area remains dangerous and unstable so people must remain cautious Insp Tim Newton, Lancashire Police

A salvage team is still working to refloat the vessel, which is carrying almost 1,200 tonnes of freight in lorry trailers and containers.

Concerns have been raised after sightseers were seen posing for photographs next to the angled ferry.

"They're walking out along the sand at low water," a coastguard spokesman said.

A spokesman for Seatruck Ferries, which owns the ship, said the ship moved in high tide on Monday, causing about six containers to fall off.

Lancashire Police are providing assistance to the salvage operation and are warning the public to stay clear and use a section of the promenade set aside for people to watch from a safe distance.

Salvage continues

Insp Tim Newton, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "We've had huge numbers of visitors over the last week to see the spectacle.

"We have been working closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to facilitate the salvage operation and prevent people going onto the sand and out to the vessel.

"The area remains dangerous and unstable so people must remain cautious."

Anyone found in breach of the cordon will be asked to move on and if this request is refused, police say they could be issued with a fine.

If a person refuses to give details they will risk being arrested, the force said.

Salvage equipment is being lifted by crane on to the Riverdance in a bid to pump water into the empty ballast tanks to reduce the list.

The operation is likely to continue into Thursday when the prospects of refloating the vessel will be reviewed, said a spokesman for Seatruck Ferries.

Nautical Archaeology Workshop April 2008

The workshop teaches divers why underwater archaeology is important, how they can impact and protect Ohio's wrecks, techniques they will use during shipwreck surveys and much, much more.

For those in peril . . .
Remember the seafarers around the world

From The Times

February 5, 2008

Sir, The recent bad weather affecting several ships off our coastline (report, Feb 4) has brought into sharp relief the extraordinary situations the seafarers who crew the merchant fleet face in order to keep us in the manner to which we have become accustomed.

The media have praised those involved in the dramatic rescue of the crew and passengers of the Horncliff (off the coast of Scilly) and the Riverdance (near Blackpool). However, no mention has been made of the crews that daily face heavy seas.

There are currently more than 1.2 million seafarers around the world manning the merchant fleet. The UK relies on shipping for more than 90 per cent of its daily needs. Seafarers bring us our food, our clothes, our petrol and our cars. We need them and they need us. Yet, because they are only in port for a few short hours, coupled with the long hours they work and the isolation they can feel while in a port miles from the nearest town, we push them to the backs of our minds.

As news breaks of possibly more foul weather to come, I urge all readers to remember the significant contribution seafarers make to the life of this country and to each and every one of us.

The Rev Canon Bill Christianson
Secretary General
The Mission to Seafarers

RS

Freak Waves, Twisters and a Spout!

The weather so far this year has been just extrodinary worldwide. And its only the start of February!

Seems we have another media report out of Port Townsend, Washington (article below) of a freak wave striking the M/V Snohomish a fast ferry last Friday, February 1, 2008 on the Port Townsend to Keystone route.

After checking with NWS Seattle, it seems they had a Wind Advisory out for the sector.

The weather this time of year in the Port Townsend area is always rough and plays havoc on small ferries. Especially on the Port Townsend to Keystone run. While as reported if the M/V Snohomish was struck by a wave cause by a passing container ship it is not a true freak wave and very possibility a navigation error by the ferry. But I don't think so....

Checking on the vessels particulars there is a ADA note that states:

"The Snohomish is a high-speed passenger vessel that is equipped with accessible restrooms, adequate shelter, and wheelchair tie downs. There is no food service available on this vessel. At this time, access from street level to vessel passenger decks for passenger-only ferries may be difficult for some disabled customers. The slope of the ramps leading to the decks can be dramatically affected by tides and weather. Please ask for assistance or call ahead for tidal information."

The questions are, was the weather system or container ship powerful enough to create such a large wave? Or is the vessel's construction not capable of taking on large waves?

11:32 AM PST on Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Passenger recall rogue wave during ferry route By ELISA HAHN / KING 5 News

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. - A big wave caused panic on board the ferry Snohomish last Friday after it pushed part of the boat underwater on the route between Port Townsend and Keystone.

The frightening incident was caught on video and passengers described what happened."This was nothing like we've ever experienced out there before," said Bob Rowth, ferry passengers. Video caught on a passenger's cell phone shows the lower cabin of the Snohomish in the aftermath.

The ceiling collapsed to the right and again to the left when a series of waves hit the bow of the boat and water came crashing into the cabin. "The water came through the front doors and the window, and then busted through the overhead, so the ceiling collapsed in on us," said Rowth.

The passenger ferry Snohomish was sailing from Port Townsend to Keystone ferry dock last Friday when passengers say a huge wave hit the front of the ship.

"All the windows in the front were covered with dark green water," said Janice Eklung, passenger. "And we were pitched going down and we stayed down."

"The jet in back was out of the water, so it was totally nose down," said Rowth "And from the side window all we could see was green water - no daylight."

Rowth was on board in the lower cabin with about 30 others. He said after the first wave hit, the boat's bow dipped about 20 degrees down underwater. Passengers started sliding forward to the front of the ship as water rushed inside.

"People were screaming, there was no direction from the crew about life vests or anything, so we all ran away from those windows because we thought they were going to break," said Janice Eklung, passenger.

Passengers say about six to eight inches of water flooded the lower cabin. A big wave caused panic on board the ferry Snohomish last Friday after it pushed part of the boat underwater on the route between Port Townsend and Keystone.

Some passengers called it a rogue wave while the others believe it was a wake from a passing container ship.

The ferry service was forced to cancel the next two runs on the Snohomish.

The state ferry service did not return calls by KING 5. On Friday, it released a simple statement that the run was cancelled due to weather.

Now many wonder whether the 54-car Steilacoom, which was in trial runs for the Keystone route Monday will be able to sustain a similar incident.

TORNADOS February 5, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WHBQ FOX13 myfoxmemphis.com)

Deaths, Looting Blamed on Tornadoes in South
Last Edited: Tuesday, 05 Feb 2008,
11:43 PM EST Created: Tuesday, 05 Feb 2008, 10:43 PM EST

Tornadoes have been blamed for five deaths in Arkansas and for looting at a mall in Memphis, as parts of the South were hit by severe storms Tuesday.

About a half million dollars in merchandise has been stolen from Hickory Ridge Mall in Memphis that was hit by a possible tornado, according to a report by MyFOXMemphis.com.

Several people were trapped in the mall when the storm knocked part of the roof down, but no one was seriously injured, police said. Crews continued to battle poor light conditions in their rescue attempt as of 9 p.m. CT, MyFOXMemphis.com reports.

Meanwhile, police in Jackson, Tenn., about 75 miles of northeast of Memphis, say storms damaged Union University.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said five people were killed by tornadoes in Atkins, Clinton and Gassville.

In Atkins, storms hit about 20 homes and resulted in at least three deaths, according to the Pope County Sheriff's Department told KLRT-TV.

The tornado touched down near Highways 324 and 105, then stayed on the ground and passed into Conway County to the east, according to Renee Preslar, spokeswoman for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

Authorities say a tornado touched down northeast of Memphis as part of a storm front that swept across west Tennessee as voters headed to the polls on Super Tuesday. No injuries were immediately reported.

Authorities confirmed a tornado touchdown near Arlington, about 25 miles northeast of downtown Memphis. The twister knocked out a radio tower for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Power outages, downed trees and other storm damage were reported across Shelby County.

And at least two tornadoes hit north Mississippi on Tuesday, tearing through buildings and ripping down power lines.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Officials: At least 2 tornadoes hit Mississippi

By HOLBROOK MOHR

Associated Press Writer

JACKSON, Miss. -- Two tornadoes hit north Mississippi Tuesday and there were unconfirmed reports of a third twister as violent storms pushed across much of the South, authorities said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths.

"We did have a tornado touch down and several buildings have major damage," said Desoto County Sheriff's Department Cmdr. Steve Atkinson.

Officials were on the scene assessing the damage.

Latrice Maxie, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, said the tornado in Southaven was the same one that hit near Memphis, Tenn., just north of the state line Tuesday evening.

Authorities in Tennessee confirmed that a tornado touched down about 25 miles northeast of downtown Memphis, knocking down a radio tower for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Another tornado formed over Panola and Lafayette counties in Mississippi and hit near an industrial complex outside of the city of Oxford, officials said. Witnesses said at least one metal building was flattened and others were damaged.

A dispatcher with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department said officials were "still trying to get to people" but there had been no reported injuries or deaths.

What officials called an unconfirmed tornado in Bolivar County ripped the roof off a mobile home and blew over a gas pump, Maxie said. There were also reports of hail and strong gusts in several north Mississippi counties.

Calls to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency went unanswered Tuesday night.

Tornado watches were posted for much of Mississippi as warm temperatures and an approaching frontal system churned up powerful thunderstorms.

The thunderstorms moved into the state during the early afternoon after causing tornadoes and hail in Arkansas and Tennessee, officials said. The National Weather Service said the possibility of violent weather would continue well into the night in Mississippi, including the threat of damaging wind gusts and large hail.

The greatest threat appeared to be the Delta and northwestern counties but the watch area included counties down into the Jackson area.

A warning was issued for areas of Bolivar and Washington counties shortly after 4 p.m. when weather service meteorologists detected a possible tornado. The Bolivar County Sheriff's Department in Cleveland said there were no immediate reports of damage.

WAIT! HOW ABOUT A SPOUT IN THE UK?

‘Twister’ spins off the coast and more may be on the way
by Sally Williams, Western Mail

A SPECTACULAR “twister” was spotted off the west coast yesterday, prompting Welsh weather forecasters to warn of more on the way today.

The stunning weather phenomenon, a type of tornado known as a “waterspout” when it occurs over the sea, was seen heading towards Aberystwyth.

But the coastal town, with its population of about 20,000, suffered no damage as the twister fizzled out after just three minutes without hitting land.

Mike Wallwork, who works for the Wales Screen Commission in Aberystwyth, managed to capture the foreboding sight on camera as it cast a dark shadow over the Ceredigion coast at 10.55am.

He said, “I was on my tea break when I noticed what I thought was an odd-shaped cloud moving west to east.

“The cloud looked like it had spikes dropping down to the horizon and a funnel was sucking wind up into it at the same time.

“I wasn’t frightened because it was a long way off and I knew I wasn’t in danger, but I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“I had never seen anything like it before – apart from tornadoes on television.

“It seemed to be near the residential area of Penparcau and the Morfa Bychan caravan site but I couldn’t work out if it was on land or out at sea.

“It lasted around three minutes and when it lifted I could see the cloud sucking up quite quickly. It would have had a substantial windspeed.”

Derek Brockway, BBC Wales meteorologist, explained that some waterspouts can reach speeds of 64-80km/h.

“Waterspouts are funnel- shaped vortices of water associated with extremely low atmospheric pressure,” he said.

“They are very similar in appearance to tornadoes but are usually on a smaller scale.

“They can form anywhere where there are strong winds over the water, and usually occur during periods of instability.

“For instance, where cold front boundaries pass over the ocean, or over warm ocean currents, the instability and low pressure causes air and water to spiral rapidly inward and upward.

“This produces a spectacular funnel that extends from the ocean to the clouds.”

He warned that the air was likely to be unstable again today, adding, “So there could be more reports of waterspouts or tornadoes – the conditions are likely to be right again for them.”

He explained that because waterspouts form over the ocean, they do not pick up much debris.

But he added, “Although they are far less dangerous than the tornadoes, they can still cause considerable damage to yachts and small cruising craft.

“For instance in 1879, two or three waterspouts were reported to have caused the Tay Bridge rail disaster in Scotland. And they can sometimes suck up small animals from water below and later drop them when it can appear to be ‘raining frogs or fish’.”

A Met Office spokesman said there are an average of 33 reports of tornadoes in the UK each year but they are especially rare in built-up areas.

Just miles from the site of yesterday’s waterspout, more than 20 houses were damaged in 2006, with roofs and chimneys blown off, when a tornado hit the village of Bow Street, Ceredigion, on November 28, at 1.15am.

Residents at the time said houses shook before the storm hit, describing it as sounding “like a train crashing”.

Commercial and residential premises, vehicles and caravans were damaged by falling debris but no-one was injured.

The previous day, a tornado striking a Hampshire village threw two ponies into the air and left a trail of destruction.

In July 2005, 19 people were injured – three seriously – as a tornado ripped through the streets of Birmingham.

The sudden storm damaged buildings, uprooted trees and trapped people in their homes and the wind speed was estimated to have reached as high as 130mph

NWS CHICAGO (LOT)

Chicago’s Top Ten Snowstorms and 2007 to 2008 Snowstorms

Yeah Chicago is getting blasted by a winter storm again!

RS

Riverdance Update and North of England P&I Club Alert

Happy National Weatherperson's Day!

BLACKPOOL Attempts to move the stricken ferry Riverdance are unlikely for at least another 48 hours, the vessel’s owners said.

A salvage team was working to reduce the severe listing of the ferry, though efforts were being hampered by weather conditions.

Helicopters and lifeboats went out to the ferry during a storm on Thursday, after a freak wave hit the vessel 12 miles out in the Irish Sea. The last of the crew were winched off early on Friday after the ship ran aground near Blackpool. Officials said the priority was to get the fuel out of the bunker tanks.

Riverdance ferry drama: Timeline

HOW THE DRAMA UNFOLDED

7.30pm - The Seatrucks roll-on, roll-off ferry Riverdance makes a distress call seven miles from Fleetwood after it is "broadsided" by a wave. Cargo on board the ferry shifts causing the vessel to list.

7.43pm - Captain issues a Mayday call saying ship is listing badly.

8pm - RAF rescue crew, the Seacat, based at RAF Valley in North Wales, is put on standby for an emergency rescue.

8.20pm - The RAF crew are scrambled to the scene.

9pm - Everyone on-board the stricken vessel assembles on the bridge and the RAF crew begin winching people to safety.

10pm - Helicopters bringing people to safety begin arriving at Blackpool Airport.

10.50pm - Riverdance runs aground between Norbreck and Cleveleys.

11.15pm - Kevin Hobbs, of Seatruck, tells the media there was no reason why the ship should not have sailed, despite the "atrocious" weather conditions.

4am - Crew remaining on board, unable to get the vessel refloated under her own power overnight, were evacuated from the vessel by rescue.

FREAQUE WAVES

My good friend at Freaque Waves has an excellant write up on both the M/F Riverdance and M/V Horncliff and the media's exaggeration of freak waves.

Paul writes, "I guess the most irritating part of the news reports to me is that they all alluded to the fact that the ferry was struck by a freaque wave, but no one give any details regarding the freaque wave. It was horrendous sea conditions with winds up to 60 mph and big waves all around, if it was may be just caused by one of the large storm waves -- which is entirely possible, then what was there to make it a freaque one?"

Then Pual hits a home run when he says, "Freaque waves are uncertain, but in the winter ocean giant waves are to be expected."

But giant storm waves make for lousy press....


MARITIME NOTES

Container claims going overboard, warns North of England P&I club

COINCIDENTALLY, just as the reefer vessel Horncliff was losing its container deck cargo in the Western Approaches, marine mutual liability insurer, the North of England P&I club reported in the latest issue of its loss-prevention newsletter Signals that container damage and loss “continues to be a problem”.

“Container losses and collapsed stows in heavy weather continue to occur,” says the club’s head of loss-prevention Tony Baker. “Such weather is not altogether unexpected and it has highlighted a number of areas of poor practice that need to be rectified if the industry is to keep a lid on spiralling claims costs.”

The club points out that container claims can be particularly expensive. In 2006/7 North of England reported 16 cargo claims estimated in excess of US$1m; only two related to container losses but these accounted for 30% of the total value.

The ‘A’ rated, 75 million GT North of England P&I club reports in the latest issue of its loss-prevention newsletter Signals that container damage and loss continues to be a problem on container ships.

‘Container losses and collapsed stows in heavy weather continue to occur,’ says the club’s head of loss-prevention Tony Baker. ‘Such weather is not altogether unexpected and it has highlighted a number of areas of poor practice that need to be rectified if the industry is to keep a lid on spiralling claims costs.’

Container claims can be particularly expensive. In 2006/7 North of England reported 16 cargo claims estimated in excess of US$1 million; only two related to container losses but these accounted for 30% of the total value.

Baker says there are four principal factors behind recent incidents: failure of automatic twist-locks in lashing systems; failure to stow and secure containers in accordance with the ship’s cargo securing manual; mis-declared overweight containers; and failure to anticipate and minimise the effect of heavy weather.

‘All of these factors can be resolved if shipowners and their officers take a more diligent approach to stowing and securing containers,’ says Baker. ‘Problems with fully automatic twist-locks are well-documented and stack heights should be reduced or heavy weather avoided until suspect equipment is replaced. If heavy or high-cube containers form part of the mix, there shouldn’t be a problem if stowage and lashing is done in accordance with the cargo securing manual. Making proper use of the ship’s planning software, and understanding any shortcomings, is also crucial.

‘Mis-declared overweight containers may be spotted by crane strain gauges and can possibly be prevented by closer shore-side monitoring of container stuffing. And finally, with the extent and increased accuracy of weather information and weather-routeing systems today, it should be possible for container-ship masters to amend voyage plans to minimise the effect of heavy weather,’ he says.

North of England currently insures some 310 member groups from around the world, with a total P&I entry of 3000 vessels of 75 million GT (58 million GT owned and 17 million GT chartered). The club is based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK with regional liaison offices in Hong Kong, Piraeus and Singapore.

Contact: Tony Baker or Andrew Kirkham +44 191 232 5221

Like I said we seafarers are superstitious....So today is Super Tuesday and here is the WX report.

RS

New Radar Satellite Technique Sheds Light On Ocean Current Dynamics

ScienceDaily (Jan. 26, 2008) — Ocean surface currents have long been the focus of research due to the role they play in weather, climate and transportation of pollutants, yet essential aspects of these currents remain unknown.

By employing a new technique – based on the same principle as police speed-measuring radar guns – to satellite radar data, scientists can now obtain information necessary to understand better the strength and variability of surface current regimes and their relevance for climate change.

Scientists at the SeaSAR 2008 workshop held this week in ESRIN, ESA's European Centre for Earth Observation in Frascati, Italy, demonstrated how this new method on data from the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) instrument aboard ESA’s Envisat, enabled measurements of the speed of the moving ocean surface.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments, such as ASAR, record microwave radar backscatter in order to identify roughness patterns, which are linked to varying surface winds, waves and currents of the ocean surface. However, interpreting radar images to identify and quantify surface currents had proven very difficult.

By using the new information embedded in the radar signal – the Doppler shift of the electromagnetic waves reflected from the water surface – Dr Bertrand Chapron of the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER), Dr Johnny Johannessen of Norway’s Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre (NERSC) and Dr Fabrice Collard of France's BOOST Technologies were able to determine how surface winds and currents contribute to the Doppler shift.

The Doppler shift occurs due to changing relative velocities, experienced in everyday life in the way the pitch of a siren on a passing ambulance goes up as it approaches, then goes down as the vehicle recedes away.

The shift is introduced by the relative motion between the satellite platform, the rotation of the Earth and the velocity of the particular facets of the sea surface from which the SAR signal scatters back to orbit. The initial two values are well known – particularly for Envisat, with its very stable satellite orbit and attitude – and can be simply subtracted to extract the useful sea surface velocity information.

Chapron first demonstrated the concept in 2005 with initial tests carried out over the Gulf Stream. Although the results were promising, repeat acquisitions and careful validation were not possible. However, based on these conclusions ESA upgraded its ASAR ground segment in July 2007 to systematically process and disseminate a Doppler grid product, a regularly spaced collection of individual Doppler information, for all Wide Swath acquired images.

The Doppler grid, embedded in ESA standard products, is now regularly tested on a number of so-called super-sites, including regions of the Gulf Stream and the greater Agulhas Current, both among the strongest western boundary currents of the world’s oceans.

"These measurements are very useful for advancing the understanding of surface current dynamics and mesoscale variability, as well as for determining surface drift, important for oil dispersion and pollution transport and for wave-current interaction, probably influencing the existence of extreme waves," Johannessen said.

"The method at this very high resolution could also complement the use of additional information sources to improve 3-D ocean models. Its use for sensor synergy with radiometry, spectrometry and altimetry is very promising," Chapron added.

The ground segment upgrade is also allowing the scientists to examine the anticipated Doppler shift signal of the river outflow at the mouth of the Amazon delta to monitor river runoff and improve our understanding of hydrological processes.

Chapron and Collard also presented their Near Real Time global swell wave observations to the workshop, attended by 150 participants from 25 countries. Using standard processed SAR ESA wave mode products, the team produces three hourly animations every morning for the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and makes them available online.

Tracking swell waves from space is very important because they are generally preceded by calm water, making it impossible to detect their arrival from shore. Envisat’s Wave Mode acquires 10 by 5 km small images, or 'imagettes', of the sea surface every 100 km along the satellite orbit. These small images, which depict the wave groups, are then mathematically transformed into wave energy and direction, called ocean-wave spectra.

ESA has provided SAR data to some 500 oceanography projects since 1998 and remains committed to providing continuity to its SAR missions. As part of its Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme, the agency will launch the Sentinels – the first series of operational satellites responding to the Earth Observation needs of GMES, a joint initiative of the European Commission and ESA.

Sentinel-1, expected to be launched in 2011, will ensure the continuity of C-band SAR data with ESA's ERS-2 and Envisat satellites. Important applications driving the mission concept include marine - vessel detection, oil spill mapping and sea ice mapping. With these new findings, Sentinel-1 is expected to provide additional information, such as consistent wind, wave and current products.

Adapted from materials provided by European Space Agency.

NOAA DATABASE SUMMARY

SPC Preliminary Severe Weather Database Summary

2008 Monthly Summaries

2007 Monthly Summaries

MARITIME ALERT

Maritime Accident Casebook
Confined Space Casualties - Worse Than Expected

By Bob Couttie

Early results of a study by the Maritime Accident Investigators International Forum, MAIIF, of accidents in confined spaces aboard ships suggest that the problem may be far bigger than anticipated. Despite decades of regulation and training, it's a problem that continued to
take the lives of seafarers at an alarming, and under-reported rate.

Still incomplete, the MAIIF figures report 44 deaths and 66 injuries in 63 incidents on ships of 15 Flag States since 1993. The data was supplied by the UK's MAIB and similar organisations in Vanuatu, Latvia, Cyprus, Marshall Islands and Germany. Figures for Hong Kong have yet to be included and more information has been promised by Sweden and South Africa and Finland.

In an email to MAIIF members, Don Sheetz of the Vanuatu administration, who has been tasked with gathering information for the report, says: "The information obtained so far is very troubling as the problem we originally identified may be even larger than anticipated."

A review of incidents already show that a confined space "may be any space, of any size, containing cargo, oil, water, petroleum, or nothing at all. A confined space may even be, as in the case of the fatality on the /Monika/ a cabin where a crewmember died," says Sheetz.

A new approach may be needed in defining a confined space. Says Sheetz: "It is apparent that the issue of confined space entry is not a single dimensional issue about entering a space which could be defined as a potential risk, but a multi-dimensional one where any space could, by virtue of its cargo, lack of oxygen, use of toxic chemicals, gaseous atmosphere, inerting, etc., cause death or injury, either shortly after the person enters or even several hours later. And the space could be a tiny lazarette, a battery room, a diesel engine cylinder, a boiler, a paint locker, an access way, a cargo hold, a cargo tank, a pump room, a chain locker, a fore peak or after peak tank, void spaces, fish meal processing rooms, the carpenter's shop, etc. It could be small enough to permit access only to a person's head or it could be 100,000 cubic meters or more in size."

Bob Couttie, administrator of Maritime Accident Casebook, a maritime safety internet site at www.maritimeaccident.org http://www.maritimeaccident.org/, which operates a confidential reporting system for seafarers, says: "Confined spaces often don't have visible hazards so there's a lot of complacency. Very saddening are those cases in which would-be rescuers come to grief trying to save a fellow seafarer. What we have to look at is how to establish and maintain seafarer competency in the workplace. Until the industry addresses the competency issue we'll go on seeing this kind of incident."

Do you have experience of a confined space incident, an actual or close call incident, whether officially reported or not? Sharing that information through the Maritime Accident Casebook confidential report system might help save the lives of other seafarers. Your identity will remain confidential. The address is confidential@maritimeaccident.org.

MARITIME NOTES

USCG – Cosco Busan ISPR

The US Coast Guard issued a press release announcing the availability of the Incident Specific Preparedness Review (ISPR) report on the response to the oil spill from the M/V COSCO BUSAN in San Francisco Bay on 7 November 2007. The report did not examine the causes of the spill, only the response thereto.

The major areas for improvement identified in the report include having more experienced personnel on duty or on standby; prompt communication with local officials and the public; and improved planning for training and utilization of volunteers offering assistance in the response effort. The report found that the actual response effort in this spill was quite good, but that the initial investigation and external relations were lacking.

The Coast Guard also published a Timeline showing the various notifications and response actions, as well as a Hindcast, showing the estimated movement of the spilled oil through San Francisco Bay and adjacent waters in the hours after the spill. Finally, the Coast Guard released a PowerPoint document that walks through some of the major points of the ISPR. (1/28/08)

Hole found in storm ship's side

Surveyors examining a refrigerated cargo ship which was battered by a storm off Cornwall have found an 18ins (0.46m) hole in her side.

NOTES FROM gCAPTAIN

Beached In Rotterdam - Zhen Hua Heavy Lift Crane Ship
February 3rd, 2008




NOAA NEWS

Marine Safety Expert Now Heads NOAA Response Office

David Westerholm, a former chief of the U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Response, is the new director of NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration. He oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's preparation for and respond to environmental hazards caused by marine debris and oil/chemical spills in U.S. ocean and coastal waters.

"David Westerholm is an innovative and proven leader who has more than 30 years' experience heading and managing environmental, safety, security, and engineering programs," said John H. Dunnigan, NOAA assistant administrator for the National Ocean Service. "His expertise in preparing for and responding to oil spills and the release of hazardous materials will enhance NOAA's already strong response capabilities."

Before joining NOAA, Westerholm was VP and senior operations director for maritime security, policy, and communications with General Dynamics Information Technology, where he managed $17 million in contracts supporting federal and state customers in homeland security, emergency response, and strategic communications. While serving as a Coast Guard officer from 1976 to 2003, he worked in marine safety, homeland security, environmental compliance, and emergency planning and response roles. He has a master of science degree in environmental policy and planning from the University of Michigan.

RS