The Americas, APAC and Europe combine their regional expertise in the Severe Weather Preparedness Good Practice Guidelines
12 September 2025
"Severe weather is a constant reality in offshore operations, and being prepared is critical to protecting both people and the environment. It was a privilege to work with G+, whose collaborative and proactive approach helped bring together global expertise to develop practical, industry-leading guidance for managing these risks."
– Tim Brown, Marine Affairs Manager, Ocean Winds North America
“I am proud to have been championing the severe weather workstream within G+. Through this effort, G+ aims to help the industry with practical guidelines to proactively prepare for adverse weather, safeguard people and strengthen operational resilience.”
- Nina Su, QM&HSE APAC, Taiwan & Japan, Siemens Energy
“Addressing severe weather requires multiple disciplines to be engaged, so Blue Ocean Consulting sub-contracted Robin Stowell of Conversulting Ltd and Jakob Nielsen of Beacon HSE to bring their experience in the marine environment and HSE strategy to the project.”
- Mark Calverley, Metocean expert with Blue Ocean Consulting
Severe weather events are a ubiquitous hazard in the offshore environment, and being prepared for them is essential to health and safety. Numerous safety incidents occur due to severe weather, many resulting in injury to personnel or risk to the environment.
G+ members recognised the importance of being prepared for severe weather hazards and set up a dedicated workgroup across their regional Focal Groups in Europe, the Americas and APAC. This workgroup steered the development of Good Practice Guidelines (GPG) that reflects the processes used by member organisations to manage severe weather events. It also provides practical guidance to industry on events including extra-tropical storms, tropical cyclones, extreme heat, extreme cold and lightning.
Blue Ocean Consulting were awarded the contract to prepare the GPG and began by running a series of small workshops to understand the processes used by G+ members. These workshops addressed each of the severe weather types and considered how severe weather events are characterised and forecast. They also investigated how real time data are used to identify severe weather events, and the impacts and mitigation measures utilised across the project lifecycle.
Key outcomes of the discussions were to identify the geographical scope and the party responsible for each task within the management of the severe weather risk. Ensuring consistency in approaches and strong communication lines is a key principle of the GPG. It was also apparent that existing G+ GPGs, for example; EI3395 Integrated Offshore Emergency Response, EI3429 Wind Farm Transfer and Safe by Design should be considered in addressing severe weather.
The upcoming GPG addresses each severe weather type and defines best practice for identifying the onset of a severe weather event. The timing of onset is critical to allowing mitigation measures to be implemented. Generic hazards across the lifecycle are identified at a high level with appropriate mitigation also defined. These are designed to prompt detailed risk assessment content. Strong planning and preparation are required to ensure that actions to be undertaken during events can be readily implemented.
Different types of weather forecasts are described in the GPG along with methods for their verification. The GPG also highlights that competence in the interpretation of forecast and real-time metocean data is important to ensure that appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.
Following the return to normal conditions, it was acknowledged that the condition of structure and equipment will require inspection and damage reports compiled. The importance of undertaking dynamic risk assessments and a strong management of change process was emphasised by members when undertaking inspection and subsequent remedial actions.
Climate change may increase the frequency and/or intensity of severe weather events. Information on the likely change in severe weather frequency and intensity is provided in the GPG, and it is recommended that both are reviewed on a routine basis.
The engagement of members from all regions was essential in compiling the GPG, to ensure consistency in approach and to recognise regional practices. The GPG includes an Annex which addresses specific regional considerations.
Now out for public consultation, we would value your feedback on the GPG here (link). Follow us on LinkedIn to be the first to hear of its publication towards the end of the year.