Marine conditions are expected to deteriorate during the passage of Tropical Storm Bret on Thursday and into early Friday, particularly in open waters well north of Barbados.
Sea conditions around Barbados are expected to become moderate to rough in open water with some choppy conditions affecting the west coastlines.
Mariners are advised not to venture too far from port leading up to Thursday and Friday.
At 11:00 pm the centre of Tropical Storm Bret was located near 11.4N 43.5W or about 1092 miles/1757 km east of Barbados.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph or 65km/h. Present movement is towards the west or 275 degrees at 18 mph or 30km/h and minimal central pressure is 1008 MB.
Tropical Storm Bret is a very small and compact tropical storm with storm-force winds extending only 75 km from the centre. The official intensity forecast is calling for steady intensification over the next few days and Bret is likely to become a category 1 hurricane or strong tropical storm by the time it reaches the northern Windwards/Leewards.
On its current forecast track, the center of the system is expected to pass 135 km/84 miles to the north of Barbados sometime during Thursday night.
There is still some considerable uncertainty in the forecast track and forward speed as Bret approaches the islands of the Eastern Caribbean.
Additionally, an area of disturbed weather centered near 10N 29W continues to produce disorganised showers in the far Eastern Atlantic. Environmental conditions are expected to be marginally conducive to the slow development of this system later this week as the system tracks westward at 10 to 15mph.
There are no watches or warnings in effect for Barbados.
Members of the public are advised to stay tuned for updates. (PR/SAT)