NavList:

Seems to me the captain of the Bounty could have benefited from the formula:

arccos([vessel speed]/[storm speed])

I was just (coincidentally) working through chapter 11 of "100 Problems". Example #11-3 states that we have "a storm building to our north" and "We want to stay well out of its way." Example #11-4 requires a solution to the relative motion problem which will give us maximum distance from the storm.

And the 2002 ed. of Bowditch has this to say about storm avoidance:

"The first action to take if the ship is within the cyclonic circulation is to determine the position of his vessel with respect to the storm center. While the vessel can still make considerable way through the water, a course should be selected to take it as far as possible from the center."

I'm certainly no mariner, but every source I check seems to recommend getting as far away as possible, from any storm, in as little time as possible. I understand the captain's concern for the safety of his vessel while in port during a hurricane. But the moment concern for ones vessel outweighs concern for ones crew, I think a reevaluation of priorities is in order.

Just my humble opinion.

-Sean C.
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