The Brazilian Navy’s Hydrographic Centre has issued a ressaca (swell) alert for the Rio de Janeiro coastline, forecasting waves of 2.5–3 m until 09:00 on 14 July. The warning, published at 10:45 on 13 July, triggered the Port of Rio to suspend smaller-vessel movements and advised cruise ships scheduled to berth at Pier Mauá to adjust ETAs or wait at anchorage. Cruise line MSC Preziosa, due to embark 3,200 passengers for a coastal repositioning cruise, told agents it may delay boarding by six hours if swell conditions persist. Helicopter operators serving Petrobras platforms in the Campos Basin are also reviewing flight windows as sea spray can compromise deck operations. For corporate mobility planners, the key risk is missed onward flights: passengers should keep flexible tickets from Santos Dumont and Galeão airports. The alert comes during Rio’s mid-winter tourism push. Hoteliers report a 15 % rise in domestic bookings linked to school holidays, meaning alternative accommodation for delayed cruise guests could be scarce. The city’s tourism board has activated its ‘Safe Shore’ protocol, deploying extra lifeguards and information teams along Copacabana and Ipanema to deter risky water sports. Historically, winter swells cost the local visitor economy up to R$20 million a day in cancelled nautical tours. Stakeholders are lobbying for a dedicated swell-break pontoon at Pier Mauá—an investment the port authority says would cost R$110 million but halve disruption days. Until then, travel managers should watch Navy bulletins (Aviso NRP) and build weather clauses into MICE contracts.
Source: O Dia
