Tropical
Cyclone Interception Vehicle for Western Australia 2002 /
2003
Click on any image to see the full size version.
The coastline of Western Australia is impacted by more severe
tropical cyclones than any other place on earth.
The cyclone season in
Western Australia runs from November 1st to April 31st.
Cyclone Vance hit
the town of Exmouth in March 1999 and was the most powerful cyclone to make
landfall in Australian history. I was in Exmouth when Cyclone Vance struck
producing a record wind speed of 267 kph (165 mph).
My web page on Cyclone Vance has a
full rundown on that event.
It was obvious to me at that time that
driving around in a Category 5 cyclone would either be a quick way to get killed
or
at least a good way of destroying an expensive rental car...or both.
There had to be a way of achieving this.....
A Nissan Navara D21 series ute
has been modified and fitted with debris protection screens, external roll cage
and a calibrated anemometer to provide accurate wind speed measurements in the
strongest cyclone. A Millar tripod system has been modified and fitted
inside the cab of the vehicle providing secure fitting of a broadcast camera
with a forward view out the front window.
In the likely event of a wind
related roll over the main camera should remain firmly in place and recording. A
mini cam will be fixed in place to film the driver and a third mini cam will be
used hand held out one of several small "port holes" in the debris screens. At
least two of the cameras will be rolling at all times during the strongest part
of a cyclone providing never before seen footage of a Category 5 event by
actually driving around in it, including high speed debris striking the
vehicle and passing in front of it, buildings blowing apart and trees and power
lines toppling over. This will be able to be done in "relative safety" with this
vehicle. A number of drums will also be fastened to the rear deck and filled
with water prior to a cyclone to increase the weight of the vehicle. The vehicle
will be fitted with 2 satellite phones, cellphone, GPS positioning and laptop
computer for mobile internet access for the latest weather data and satellite
images of the approaching cyclone, the aim being to get into a position to have
the "eye" of the cyclone and the most violent winds associated with it pass
directly over my location. The vehicle is stationed in Broome which is in the
middle of "cyclone alley".
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