Do Us Navy Ships Sail Through Bad Weather?

Navy ships are designed to withstand high winds and sea warnings, but they cannot easily survive hurricanes or typhoons. Submarines can cross storms by sailing completely submerged, but the deeper you go, the less you can feel. The end of the Cold War and comprehensive meteorological guidance allowed Navy ships to set their courses for the best weather possible. Accurate weather predictions are crucial for the military, especially the Navy, as typhoons can sink ships and bad weather can force operational delays.

The Navy is struggling with a summer of bad weather mishaps, with an F-18 being fished from the ocean and 10 helicopters damaged by a storm. To avoid major storms, ships should take basic precautions such as steering control, staying in port until bad weather passes, and finding a safe port or anchorage. Constant vigilance is required regarding local immediate weather and forecasts.

In the Age of Sail, foul weather was an existential risk to even large naval vessels, and weather-related incidents have caused the capsize and sinking of destroyers USS Hull, USS Spence, and USS Monaghan, as well as the loss of 790 lives and 80 lives. The Fleet Weather Center provides operational guidance for routine cold weather, ice accumulation, heavy weather ship handling, safety, and medical care. Aircraft will initiate evacuations from area airfields or be secured in hangars rated to withstand hurricane force winds. Navy ships are designed to have good sea keeping, so bad weather should not restrict their ability to navigate.