SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang is advising all mariners to seek safe harbor immediately as a strong thunderstorm moves across the southwest coastal waters of Rota, according to a marine weather statement issued by CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday.
At 6:19 p.m., Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm capable of producing winds to around 30 knots over Rota’s southwest coastal waters, moving southwest at 20 knots into the northwest coastal waters of Guam, the statement said, based on information from the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point.
Mariners can expect gusty winds to around 30 knots, locally higher waves and frequent lightning strikes, and boaters should seek safe harbor immediately until the storm passes. Intense lightning is occurring with the storm, and anyone caught on open water should stay below deck if possible and keep away from ungrounded metal objects.
The statement lands hours after a separate special marine warning for Rota waters expired at 3 p.m. and amid a stormy Wednesday across the Marianas tied to the broader weather pattern around Tropical Depression 17W.
