Hawai‘i-based Ships “Sortie” Ahead of Tropical Storm Olivia

File photo by Wendy Osher.

Rear Adm. Brian Fort, commander, Navy Region Hawaiʻi/ Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, announced that US Navy ships and submarines based in Hawaiʻi not currently undergoing maintenance availabilities have sortied as Tropical Storm Olivia travels toward the Hawaiian Islands.

Ships that sortie will be positioned to help respond after the storm, if needed.

“Sortie of our Pearl Harbor-based ships allows them the most protection from the approaching storm,” said Fort. “An early sortie allows them enough time to transit safely out of the path of the storm.”

The Navy ordered a sortie in order to reduce the risk of significant damage to ships and piers during potential high winds and seas caused by Tropical Storm Olivia. Some ships will not get underway, due to various maintenance availabilities, and are taking extra precautions to avoid potential damage.

Commanding officers have a number of options when staying in port, depending on the severity of the weather. Some of these options include adding additional mooring and storm lines, dropping the anchor, and disconnecting shore power cables.

Personnel in Navy Region Hawaiʻi, including on Oahu and Kauai, should follow tropical storm awareness and preparedness guidelines established by city/county and state government.  Navy Region Hawaiʻi and its installations – Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam and Pacific Missile Range Facility – Provide updated information on Facebook sites:

• https://www.facebook.com/pg/NavyRegionHawaii/posts/
• https://www.facebook.com/JBPHH/
• https://www.facebook.com/pg/PacificMissileRangeFacility/posts/

At the beginning of hurricane season in early June Navy Region Hawaiʻi provided detailed information in the region/base newspaper Ho‘okele for service members, civilian workforce and families. Information included preparing a disaster supply kit, creating a family emergency communication plan and knowing where to go if ordered to evacuate:

• http://www.hookelenews.com/be-ready-for-hurricane-season/
• http://www.hookelenews.com/be-ready-for-hurricane-season-2/

Additional information for families is available online at the Navy Region Hawaiʻi Web site at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrh.html, at the Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site at www.fema.gov, and National Weather Service:  http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/.