Marine Thunderstorm Wind — Volusia-brevard County Line To Sebastian Inlet 20-60nm, Atlantic South

2011-10-09 · near Buoy 41009, Volusia-brevard County Line To Sebastian Inlet 20-60nm, Atlantic South

Event narrative

The 1112 foot long Freedom of the Seas cruise ship departed Port Canaveral, Florida and traveled through convective bands on the west side of the gale/hybrid low. The anemometer (presumably at a height above 200 feet) measured wind gusts above 75 knots, with a peak wind of 90 knots. The ship was reported to have listed 12 degrees as it navigated the high winds and seas. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line reported 13 passengers experienced minor injuries due to severe ship movement. The ship sustained some damage to public areas and guest staterooms, but the sea-worthiness of the ship was not affected.

Wider weather episode

A stationary upper-level disturbance, strong onshore flow, and a weak frontal boundary produced persistent onshore moving squalls on October 7-8.

A strong gale then formed over the Bahamas on October 9 and moved northwest and onto the Brevard and Volusia County coast late in the evening. As the gale approached the coast, heavy convective bands and storm-force winds developed west of the center of circulation. While not a tropical storm, the system briefly possessed some tropical/sub-tropical characteristics. Winds gusted over 50 knots near the gale, and as high as 80-90 knots within the convective band west of the center. A cruise ship left Port Canaveral and traveled directly through the convective band, realizing extreme winds and seas. Several passengers experienced minor injuries.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (28.0548, -80.1628)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 346333. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.