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10 April 2012 - National Weather Service Changes Forecasting Format
Effective 4 April, the United States National Weather Service, in accordance with their proposal of several years ago, has changed the format of the NOAA text forecast at www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAOFFNT3.shtml <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAOFFNT3.shtml>?. Rather than the former four sections for the Caribbean Sea, they now provide forecast information for thirteen segments, which means greater detail for those areas. Similar changes have also been implemented for the Gulf of Mexico and the Southwest North Atlantic, including the Bahamas.
Unfortunately, these changes have not been carried over to the USCG high frequency broadcasts on NMN and NMG. Those forecasts now appear to have some further interpretation of the NWS text forecasts, dividing the Caribbean into five sections, thereby combining various segments from the NWS forecast. The implication here is that there is yet another layer of human interpretation of NWS information, provided by someone at the USCG. The timing of the USCG broadcasts has not changed.
Public Coast Station WLO, from www.shipcom.org <http://www.shipcom.org>, out of Mobile, Al, continues to broadcast the same forecasts as NMN and NMG, beginning with the Gulf of Mexico, followed by the Southwest North Atlantic and then the Caribbean Sea. WLO has, however, changed their weather forecast schedule, broadcasting now at 0100, 0700, 1300 and 1900 AST (0500, 1100, 1700 and 2300 UTC). WLO also operates the Boatwatch Net at www.boatwatchnet.org.
1 April 2012 - Second Report from St. Bart
After years of no reports from St. Bart, this month’s list includes a second incident, occurring the day after the incident reported last month. These incidents took place during the St. Bart’s Bucket, and, in both cases, dinghies and outboards were taken from yachts at anchor at the back of the fleet in Gustavia. Both incidents were reported to the local authorities.
31 March 2012 - FADs installed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Two FADs (fish aggregating devices) have been installed by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Department of Fisheries: about three miles west of West Cay in Bequia at 13-0.00N 61-20.5W and about 2.6 miles west of the village of Barroualie at 13-14.5N 61-19.55W. The SVG Department of Maritime Administration requests that traffic stay clear by a minimum of ¼ mile.
22 March 2012 - Warnings about Esperanza, Vieques, Puerto Rico
The second report within two months has come in from the town of Esperanza on the island of Vieques off the big island or Puerto Rico. This report, as well as the earlier report dated January, indicated what seems to be an increasing security issue particularly for dinghies. In this latest incident, when the owners reported their stolen dinghy and outboard to the local authorities and also to the chandlery people in Fajardo, they heard that their problem is far from unique and that fewer yachts are visiting Vieques due to an increase in thefts.
11 March 2012 - Problems with Tobago Cays Moorings
Another report of problems with moorings, this time in the Tobago Cays Marine Park. A yacht picked up a mooring, only to find that it failed. The captain dropped that mooring and moved to another, which also failed. The captain reported both failures to the Tobago Cays Marine Police. Once again, regardless of who owns the mooring or where it is located, someone from the yacht should always dive or snorkel on the mooring to verify its condition.
29 February 2012 - Dog Down Your Hatches!!!
A higher than usual proportion of the recent reports of burglaries indicate that the boarders gained access to the cabins by prying up a hatch, after finding that the companionway was carefully locked. Yachts are urged to check all hatches for secure closing prior to leaving, even small hatches, which can be broached by an adult with a long arm or a child.
24 February 2012 - Safe Moorings?
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net received a report of a wandering mooring in Jolly Harbor, Antigua. Fortunately, the mooring gave way during the day while the owner of the yacht was on board. Nevertheless, moorings in general continue to be problematic throughout the island chain and yachts are encouraged to dive or snorkel on their mooring to ensure that it is in good condition and capable of holding in strong winds. If possible, this verification should take place BEFORE paying for the mooring!
10 February 2012 - Moorings in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe
Moorings have been installed in several anchorages in Les Saintes: in the harbor at Bourg des Saintes on Terre D’en Haut and at the anchorage to the southwest of Ilet a Cabrit. Prices are commensurate with the size of the yacht and fees should be paid in town - ask at the tourist office for directions. There are, at present, no moorings around the corner from town at Pain de Sucre or at Anse Fideling on Terre D’en Bas.
8 February 2012 - Few Boats in Porlamar, Venezuela
This month’s MOST RECENT page includes a report of an assault and robbery of a yacht in Porlamar on New Year’s Eve. The yacht who reported this incident (face to face, as he does not have a HF radio) said that, at soon as he heard about the incident, he immediately hauled anchor and left, without completing his clearing in. There were only two yachts in the anchorage, in addition to the victim yacht and the one who reported this. While the out-islands of Venezuela continue to be relatively safe, one must clear in to the country in Porlamar, and it is apparent that the security issues particularly around Margarita and along the Paria Peninsula are keeping many yachts away.
Effective 4 April, the United States National Weather Service, in accordance with their proposal of several years ago, has changed the format of the NOAA text forecast at www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAOFFNT3.shtml <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAOFFNT3.shtml>?. Rather than the former four sections for the Caribbean Sea, they now provide forecast information for thirteen segments, which means greater detail for those areas. Similar changes have also been implemented for the Gulf of Mexico and the Southwest North Atlantic, including the Bahamas.
Unfortunately, these changes have not been carried over to the USCG high frequency broadcasts on NMN and NMG. Those forecasts now appear to have some further interpretation of the NWS text forecasts, dividing the Caribbean into five sections, thereby combining various segments from the NWS forecast. The implication here is that there is yet another layer of human interpretation of NWS information, provided by someone at the USCG. The timing of the USCG broadcasts has not changed.
Public Coast Station WLO, from www.shipcom.org <http://www.shipcom.org>, out of Mobile, Al, continues to broadcast the same forecasts as NMN and NMG, beginning with the Gulf of Mexico, followed by the Southwest North Atlantic and then the Caribbean Sea. WLO has, however, changed their weather forecast schedule, broadcasting now at 0100, 0700, 1300 and 1900 AST (0500, 1100, 1700 and 2300 UTC). WLO also operates the Boatwatch Net at www.boatwatchnet.org.
1 April 2012 - Second Report from St. Bart
After years of no reports from St. Bart, this month’s list includes a second incident, occurring the day after the incident reported last month. These incidents took place during the St. Bart’s Bucket, and, in both cases, dinghies and outboards were taken from yachts at anchor at the back of the fleet in Gustavia. Both incidents were reported to the local authorities.
31 March 2012 - FADs installed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Two FADs (fish aggregating devices) have been installed by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Department of Fisheries: about three miles west of West Cay in Bequia at 13-0.00N 61-20.5W and about 2.6 miles west of the village of Barroualie at 13-14.5N 61-19.55W. The SVG Department of Maritime Administration requests that traffic stay clear by a minimum of ¼ mile.
22 March 2012 - Warnings about Esperanza, Vieques, Puerto Rico
The second report within two months has come in from the town of Esperanza on the island of Vieques off the big island or Puerto Rico. This report, as well as the earlier report dated January, indicated what seems to be an increasing security issue particularly for dinghies. In this latest incident, when the owners reported their stolen dinghy and outboard to the local authorities and also to the chandlery people in Fajardo, they heard that their problem is far from unique and that fewer yachts are visiting Vieques due to an increase in thefts.
11 March 2012 - Problems with Tobago Cays Moorings
Another report of problems with moorings, this time in the Tobago Cays Marine Park. A yacht picked up a mooring, only to find that it failed. The captain dropped that mooring and moved to another, which also failed. The captain reported both failures to the Tobago Cays Marine Police. Once again, regardless of who owns the mooring or where it is located, someone from the yacht should always dive or snorkel on the mooring to verify its condition.
29 February 2012 - Dog Down Your Hatches!!!
A higher than usual proportion of the recent reports of burglaries indicate that the boarders gained access to the cabins by prying up a hatch, after finding that the companionway was carefully locked. Yachts are urged to check all hatches for secure closing prior to leaving, even small hatches, which can be broached by an adult with a long arm or a child.
24 February 2012 - Safe Moorings?
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net received a report of a wandering mooring in Jolly Harbor, Antigua. Fortunately, the mooring gave way during the day while the owner of the yacht was on board. Nevertheless, moorings in general continue to be problematic throughout the island chain and yachts are encouraged to dive or snorkel on their mooring to ensure that it is in good condition and capable of holding in strong winds. If possible, this verification should take place BEFORE paying for the mooring!
10 February 2012 - Moorings in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe
Moorings have been installed in several anchorages in Les Saintes: in the harbor at Bourg des Saintes on Terre D’en Haut and at the anchorage to the southwest of Ilet a Cabrit. Prices are commensurate with the size of the yacht and fees should be paid in town - ask at the tourist office for directions. There are, at present, no moorings around the corner from town at Pain de Sucre or at Anse Fideling on Terre D’en Bas.
8 February 2012 - Few Boats in Porlamar, Venezuela
This month’s MOST RECENT page includes a report of an assault and robbery of a yacht in Porlamar on New Year’s Eve. The yacht who reported this incident (face to face, as he does not have a HF radio) said that, at soon as he heard about the incident, he immediately hauled anchor and left, without completing his clearing in. There were only two yachts in the anchorage, in addition to the victim yacht and the one who reported this. While the out-islands of Venezuela continue to be relatively safe, one must clear in to the country in Porlamar, and it is apparent that the security issues particularly around Margarita and along the Paria Peninsula are keeping many yachts away.