ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.
The C-130J Super Hercules took off from the Coast Guard support center here just after 1 p.m. Thursday, passing over the Outer Banks before beginning its journey southwest.
The mission: to let boaters know what Hanna is up to.
With the hurricane's track putting it on the North Carolina coast sometime tonight, the plane's message was urgent.
It gave Hanna's position, speed, approximate landfall time, expected wind conditions and a warning:
"This is considered a dangerous storm," the message ended. "All mariners should seek safe harbor."
Land-based transmitters along the Atlantic coast were sending similar messages, but they can only go so far out to sea. From 5,000 feet up, the plane's broadcasts reach much farther, targeting cargo ships, large sailboats and any other craft built for the open ocean.
As the plane continued its southwest track at about 230 knots, it passed the route many mariners take to and from Bermuda, then on by Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Jacksonville. Below, the Atlantic rippled purple as small clouds floated by in loose tufts.
"It's definitely the calm before the storm," said the pilot, Canadian air force Capt. Shane Loder, who's serving a three-year exchange with the Coast Guard.
"It's even a nice sea state out here. Really nice," said the co-pilot, Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Scott Hyatt.
But that was due to change, and people needed to be warned. So a crew member on board sent out the message every 20 minutes, starting with a brief announcement on rescue Channel 16 that sent mariners to another channel for the information.
The plane turned around at the South Carolina border, several hundred miles from the storm, and began retracing its route as it continued the broadcasts.
The water was bluer now, contrasting with the tans and grays and greens of the tidal ecosystem alongside.
The trip home included a detour over the Intracoastal Waterway, as the crew scouted for large watercraft that could pose a hazard during the storm.
Three hours after leaving, the plane landed. Depending on weather conditions, it may fly again today. As for any predictions on what Hanna would actually do, the pilots could only shrug.
"There are so many variables in weather," Loder said.
Matthew Jones, (757) 446-2949, matthew.jones@pilotonline.com
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