Time for a rethink on storm planning

Three lessons learned from our unprecedented hurricane season

The year just gone was one that posed many crises for the Caribbean. The greatest challenges for the region in 2017 were dealt by mother nature herself in an unprecedented hurricane season featuring 17 named storms, 10 of which became hurricanes. The season was the costliest on record, causing an estimated US$ 316.5 billion in damages. Islands overwhelmed by storms months ago are still reeling from loss of shelter, power and fresh water for their inhabitants.

Images of the devastation, seen either first-hand or through the media, will forever be etched in our hearts and minds. Yet, through the fog of emotion and loss, we must be reminded that these storms have brought out the best in our community and several salient lessons have been learned.

LESSON #1
Prepare for post-event congestion

Many ports around the Caribbean were ill prepared to receive aid in the days and weeks following the hurricanes. While crises of this magnitude cannot be prevented, we can do a better job of preparing for the massive influx of aid. Although well intended, this flow of aid cargo and personnel can quickly congest a port, reducing efficient movement to get supplies where they are needed.

“Because of the close relationship between St Lucia and Dominica, the outpouring of support was overwhelming,” said Karen Lawrence-Joseph, general manager of M & C Shipping. “Island-wide we’ve had supermarket drives where barrels were placed so Dominicans could receive this aid. I was proud of my fellow citizens with the level of support to Dominica.” The mobilization of St Lucia’s citizens was unmistakable, as 30 containers of relief cargo were shipped to Dominica within just weeks following Hurricane Maria.

Dominicans could receive this aid. I was proud of my fellow citizens with the level of support to Dominica.” The mobilization of St Lucia’s citizens was unmistakable, as 30 containers of relief cargo were shipped to Dominica within just weeks following Hurricane Maria. Dominica had reduced capacity to handle the volume of relief handed to them, as warehouses were severely damaged. Containers could not be moved quickly to those who needed the supplies, leading to mass congestion on the port property. “Ports and shippers should plan to prioritize aid shipments with a focus on water, food, medicine, fuel and construction materials,” advised Mike Edgerton, of Hudson Trident, a maritime security consultancy. “This prioritization should be carried out in consultation with the relevant government agencies.”

And Ms Lawrence-Joseph cautioned: “Governments have to start paying attention. Relief is going to come, and as a cargo community we will respond. However, we need mechanisms on the receiving end to ensure that when cargo gets there it can get to those who need aid the most.”

Indeed, the community did respond. However, some of the inability of ports to prepare for arrivals was due to the lack of notice received. Capt LaDonn Allen, prevention chief for District Seven of the United States Coast Guard, said his District, in conjunction with Sector San Juan, had assumed responsibilities for marine transportation system recovery and vessel arrivals in San Juan and the US Virgin Islands following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. “Ships were coming into port full of relief supplies, without an advance notice of arrival and coordinated berthing,” said Capt Allen. “Sector San Juan diligently coordinated with the port authority and the facilities to reopen ports quickly and ensure needed supplies could be delivered.”

LESSON #2
Reevaluate relationships with critical suppliers

The Caribbean is a unique geopolitical environment, largely without strong manufacturing bases. Successful recovery after a crisis is dependent on commercial shipping to transport aid to affected areas. Even if it can be assumed that a port will have minimal congestion issues, it does not guarantee prompt relief if vital supplies are not available.

Stakeholders must prepare for shortages in items not typically stored by local distributors and retailers, namely construction materials. Ms Lawrence-Joseph said that tarpaulins and generators, for example, were priority relief commodities that were difficult to procure for aid. “The big challenge for us was supply,” she said. “When it came to food and water, we were able to meet demand. Building supplies and generators had insufficient stock.”

Due to these limited reserves of certain essential supplies around the Caribbean, Mr Edgerton urges maritime stakeholders to be preemptive in their preparation. “Ports should consider identifying potential sources of temporary lighting, power and cameras that could be quickly deployed in the event of major hurricane damage. Companies may want to consider entering into contracts that can be activated when necessary with predetermined rates and equipment requirements,” he advised. “Also consider communications equipment and hardware, which are also not commonly stockpiled in the Caribbean.”

LESSON #3
Our safety and security is intertwined

Through the power of the internet and mass media, the world has witnessed the strength and resolve of the Caribbean people. Without a doubt, they served as examples for others to follow.

“Although they will walk miles to a river to clean themselves and their clothes, they are in excellent spirits. I must say they’ve been dealt a blow but aren’t knocked down and out,” said Ms Lawrence-Joseph.

And Frederick Dolbow, of the US Coast Guard’s Sector Maryland-National Capital Region, said: “While in Puerto Rico and the Florida Keys I was most impressed with the local residents’ resolve and love for their community and their neighbor. The disaster seemed to bring people together.”

The North Carolina-based Coast Guard Cutter ‘Elm’ delivered field rations and thousands of gallons of diesel fuel and bottled water over two visits to Vieques, off Puerto Rico. Lt Cdr Kellee Nolan, the buoy tender’s commanding officer, said: “The sentiment from the mayor and deputy mayor was from gracious thanks and gratitude that the US Coast Guard was the first agency able to respond. It was a great time to be in the Coast Guard and do what we do best.”

King Ocean Services and Geest Line are among the many companies that have provided complimentary services post-hurricanes to ship aid to the region’s hardest-hit areas. Sacrificing profit, they understood that carriers need to invest resources to catalyze recovery. 

It is time to take that spirit one step further.

It is time for Caribbean governments and maritime stakeholders to plan on a holistic basis, for islands are too small to tackle problems on an individual level. The commercial maritime community serves as an excellent reminder that action beyond traditional roles and barriers is necessary to improve regional resiliency. Let us, the Caribbean maritime community, come together before the start of 2018’s hurricane season. Reintroduce yourself to first responders of the areas you serve. Reevaluate your emergency plans. Host a tabletop exercise. Meet your counterparts from competitors and share your experiences.

Our safety and security is intertwined. Together we will fail, or together we will rise.