Climate change is disrupting marine ecosystems and coastal areas. Among its most visible consequences, the increased frequency and intensity of storms is of particular concern to yachtsmen. Hurricanes in the North Atlantic, typhoons in the Pacific and tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean: these phenomena, once confined to certain regions, are gaining in strength and now affect territories that were previously spared. How can sailors prepare for this growing threat? What innovations and adaptations will ensure safe sailing in a world where storms are becoming more frequent and more devastating?
More intense and frequent storms
Whether called hurricanes, typhoons or cyclones, these weather disturbances are among the most violent and destructive phenomena on the planet. For several years now, scientific data has been confirming that the warming of ocean surface waters, fuelled by climate change, is providing more energy to low-pressure systems, making them even more powerful.
Thanks to precise satellite data, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) can confirm that the proportion of the most violent storms has increased considerably in recent decades. The average intensity of cyclones could rise by a further 5% over the course of the 21st century, while the share of category 4 and 5 cyclones in the total number of cyclones could increase by 14%.
With the number of storms increasing and intensifying, safety must be a priority for yachtsmen, and this means identifying suitable ports or areas where they can take shelter as soon as possible in the event of an alert.
A changing geography
Climate change is also altering the geography of sea areas traditionally considered safe. The Mediterranean, once spared, is now confronted with Mediterranean depressions with tropical features known as "medicane" (contraction of " mediterranean hurrican e"), as illustrated by the Ianos storm of 2020. It caused major damage on the Ionian Islands, with violent winds, record rainfall and devastating waves affecting numerous marinas and damaging many boats.
For boaters navigating in these areas, it is crucial to reassess risks in the light of these new meteorological dynamics.
2024: an extraordinary hurricane season
The Atlantic 2024 hurricane season, which officially ended on November 30, was marked by 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes. Five of these reached major intensities (categories 3 to 5), with gusts exceeding 96 knots, or 178 km/h. This was the ninth consecutive season of above-average hurricane activity, well above the usual figures. Hurricane Beryl, in June 2024, was a turning point, becoming the first Category 5 hurricane recorded so early in the season. With devastating impacts across the Caribbean, it affected over 11,000 people in the Grenadine Islands of Grenada and St. Vincent, disrupting lives, livelihoods and all infrastructure.
While destruction is inevitable, efforts to strengthen early warning systems, particularly in the Caribbean, have reduced the loss of human life compared with previous disasters. However, some Small Island Developing States (SIDS) continue to suffer heavy consequences. In the Indian Ocean, the cyclone season got off to a premature start with Cyclone Chido, which hit Mayotte on December 14, 2024. Despite precise and timely warnings issued by Météo-France La Réunion more than 50 hours before impact, this category 5 cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson scale left a particularly heavy human and environmental toll. CMRS seasonal forecasts for the region, published on October 31, were already accurately predicting an early start to the 2024-2025 cyclone season.
These events remind sailors that even in regions less accustomed to cyclones, preparation is the key to avoiding the worst, and we must continue to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems around the world.
The responsibility of ports and states
The violent winds that accompany tropical or extratropical storms can reach speeds of over 200 km/h, ripping off mooring lines and hurling boats against docks or each other. Added to this are the swells generated, which can exceed 10 meters in height at open sea, and surges, abnormal rises in sea level that flood marinas and submerge coastal installations. The combined effect of these phenomena is often catastrophic.
For yachtsmen, these risks need to be anticipated when planning routes or choosing wintering ports. For example, in the West Indies, natural shelters such as hurricane holes play a vital role. These deep coves, such as Marigot Bay in Saint Lucia or Le Marin in Martinique, offer protected areas where boats can be securely moored and sheltered from the most destructive winds.
However, although marina buildings, pontoons and anchorages comply with current construction standards and incorporate innovations to adapt (absorbent pontoons, removable breakwaters, etc.), the effectiveness of these sheltered areas is not always sufficient in the face of increasingly intense storms.
How to make your boat safe in a storm
Mooring and boat protection :
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Move your boat away from the pontoon to maintain sufficient distance to limit impact.
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Attach the mooring lines under the mooring buoy, directly to the chain or shackle for added safety.
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Triple, or more, the mooring lines and ensure their elasticity if possible.
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Place a sufficient number of fenders and fender guards, securely fastened under the hull or by suitable means.
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Check the condition of cleats and bollards, and use solid anchor points such as the mast, winch or windlass to reinforce the mooring.
Deck and equipment preparation :
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Remove any equipment on deck that could increase dunnage (sails, boom, bimini, dinghy, liferaft, etc.).
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Close all valves and remove air hoses to prevent infiltration.
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If your boat is docked, anchor as far away as possible to limit swell movements.
Recommendations for the water :
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Attach mooring lines in such a way as to reduce the tension caused by rising water by striking them as horizontally as possible. Use available buoys or dock pilings to stabilize the boat.
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Install an automatic electric pump to prevent your boat from sinking in heavy rain. Check its operation and make sure the batteries are charged in the event of a power cut.
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Owners of small motorboats should, if possible, remove their boats from the water to limit the risk of damage.
Insurance and liability :
Take out hurricane insurance to protect yourself against storm-related damage. Minimum coverages include :
- Damage to marina infrastructure.
- Refloating or retiring a wreck.
- Damage to third parties.
Navigating a changing world
Sailing in a climate marked by more violent storms thus implies a change in nautical culture. Not only do yachtsmen have to adapt their itineraries, they also have to rethink their navigation seasons to avoid the periods most at risk.
The nautical community plays a central role in this transformation. Solidarity initiatives, knowledge sharing and mutual aid in the event of disaster all help to strengthen resilience in the face of climatic challenges. Technological advances and the adaptation of infrastructures also offer solutions for safe sailing, even in more demanding conditions.
So, despite these climatic upheavals, our passion for the sea remains intact. With concerted efforts, better preparation and increased solidarity, sailing still has a bright future ahead of it.
