How strong of winds before we cannot tender?

[232271]

I know it is early BUT the forecast for 11/22 in Grand Cayman says windy with gusts at 15 mph. To me that doesnt seem too bad?

 

Anyone with any experience on what MPH winds would keep us from being able to tender onto the island?:confused:

 

thanks for any thoughts!

[twinkletoes4445]

I don't have a clue how windy it has to be before they cancel the port, but on our first trip to GC (on a cruise) it was real windy. I remember the tender smacking against the ship. It was interesting. But we got to shore and had a lovely time.

[SurveyHand]

The wind speed is not as important as the swell height.

 

Wind will create relatively small waves, but given time and a constant direction with enough fetch these will develop into swells. It can be very dangerous trying to get passengers into tenders which are rising and falling by several feet whilst alongside the ship, given even a few feet of swell. These swell waves can last for a long time after the wind has died down so that is the forecast condition which will more likely determine you likelihood of being able to tender or not.

 

Also you have to consider the direction from which the waves are coming; whether is any natural shelter from that direction or not.

 

Steve