Noonsite January Sailing News and Updates
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As we reach the end of the first month of 2023, looking back it’s been a tumultuous start to the New Year. All over the world the last few weeks have seen extreme cold, unseasonable warmth, huge swells, powerful low pressure systems, flooding and all over terrible weather. Getting down to the boatyard for many has been difficult, if not impossible, and thoughts of what the next sailing season will bring in terms of cruising weather is on everyone’s minds.
2023 will bring in changes too for Noonsite as we work hard on listening to user feedback. We know that Noonsite needs to be quick and easy to use, and we are aware that some of our users have experienced issues with the site. We are focusing all our resources on improving this as soon as we can (more next month).
Sadly, some tragic news from the South Pacific this month involving a faulty flare that mis-fired when a young Dutch sailor decided to celebrate the New Year on passage to French Polynesia. All flares from the faulty batch are being recalled, so if you purchased flares in Spain or the Canary Islands in the last couple of years be sure to read this.
We have lots of great cruising reports in this new year issue (thanks to everyone who sent them in), interesting links, news and updates from around the world, and don’t miss our 10 of the best from 2022.
Fair winds for 2023,
Sue and the Noonsite Team.
Previous newsletters can be viewed here.
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With more and more places beginning to raise awareness of sea grass beds and how we can better protect the seabed, the LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES Project led by Natural England is holding a series of free webinars sharing best practice techniques for anchoring and mooring. The webinars will focus on techniques which are both safe and effective, as well as more friendly to the seabed. While the webinars relate to the project’s five seagrass restoration sites, they are useful for any cruising skipper visiting new cruising grounds where seagrass controls have been put in place. Go to https://thegreenblue.org.uk/join-our-anchoring-with-care-webinars/. This useful free guide to accompany the webinars is also available to download.
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Sally Erdle and Tom Hopman
Sally and Tom, both US-born, arrived by yacht in the Caribbean in the early 1970s. They cruised the Caribbean extensively, raced, worked in the Caribbean charter trade, and completed a five-and-a-half-year, double-handed circumnavigation aboard their Rhodes 41 sloop, “So Long”.
On returning to the Caribbean at the end of their circumnavigation, they launched Caribbean Compass in 1995. Caribbean Compass was, and still is, a free monthly publication providing real news, real views and real insight into the Caribbean’s vibrant marine scene, by sailors, for sailors. It is distributed free in print and online, supported entirely by advertising with approx 5,000 copies printed monthly in high season, and an online readership of 17,000 unique visits per month.
After more than 25 years running this very successful publication, Sally and Tom have recently relinquished the helm to take retirement, with plans to explore South America aboard their campervan. Find out more about Sally and Tom’s story here.
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This is where we bring you stories from cruisers around the world who are taking part in local community projects and giving just a little bit back.
Earth’s climate is changing, and so must we. The Novara One Planet Project are sailors supporting at-risk coastal communities to become climate safe. Aboard sailing vessel Novara, the team help with community-based research, education and adaptation planning that helps communities secure funding, take action, and tell their stories through art, film and social and new media. The Novara One Planet Project has received a Challenge Grant from the Ocean Cruising Club, to assist with the purchase of a solar array. Find out more at novara.world.
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How to get started
Jeremy Wyatt of World Cruising Club talks with Canadian blogger Annika Rautiola in this podcast about how to move forward when you have a dream of crossing an ocean, giving excellent insight into what to expect when joining an ocean rally plus lots of great advice on how to prepare for bluewater cruising.
You know you’re a cruiser when…
A little sneek peek into the cruising life from a female’s perspective, this is an amusing collection of daily happenings shared by 1 year liveaboard Kathy Erwin and her sea sisters. All responded to “you know you are a cruiser when” – and the results will give you a good chuckle.
Best advice from experienced cruisers
The Boat Galley team offer some top tips for new cruisers in their January newsletter. Here are some of the best:
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One of the hardest first things to learn - it’s okay to wait while others go, to learn that it is important to follow your own narrative, and your own timing, because all boats and all sailors are so different.
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Slow down. You’ll likely go half as far and half as fast as you think when you set out. That might still be too fast.
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Before you haul out for a major refit project that you don't plan to DIY, verify that the shipyard allows outside contractors. If your boatyard demands you use their service providers exclusively, you may very well be held hostage for months by a mechanic that has more money to make on someone else's boat.
If you have anything to share with those new to the cruising life, send us an e-mail, we’d love to hear your stories.
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: 10 of the BEST from 2022
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Diary of a Circumnavigation
Rick Delfosse and Candy Wood began their circumnavigation in 2019 when they left Connecticut on Christmas Eve aboard their 43-foot Pan Oceanic Pilothouse Cutter “Independence”. Currently they are in the South Pacific islands, but in this series of articles for INSIGHTS we follow their voyage from the start with frequent instalments until we catch up with them as they circle the globe. Rick and Candy have meticulously documented their voyage and they immerse themselves in the local culture of every place they visit. Their stopovers are often extended and involve land travels, making local friends and supporting local schools with supplies.
If you think you have a blog/vlog that Noonsite users will find interesting and useful, let us know.
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Pacific:
Panama Posse yachts are recording unmarked nets and unlit long lines spotted along the central America Pacific coastline, with over 30 locations encountered so far. These obstacles catch sea turtles and other endangered species as well as being a navigation hazard for yachts. Visit their website to see the map.
In the Cook Islands, The Te Mana O Te Vaka Project should be completed in a few weeks. This historic project highlights the value of preserving indigenous culture and involves the construction of a fleet of traditional canoes, known in Maori as “Vaka”, to use for a number of fishing competitions and to impart teachings about moon phases, seasons, tides, winds, and navigation. Ultimately, they will be gifted to fishers in outer islands where economic opportunities are limited.
While Kiribati, in the central Pacific, finally opened to international visitors in August last year, it should be noted that Christmas Island and Fanning Island (2 of the 33 islands that make up Kiribati and popular stopovers with cruisers) remain closed.
Keith Vial of the Niue Yacht Club reports there has been significant progress since their “Mayday” last November to not only allow the survival of the NYC but also enhance the whole operation on Niue. Innovations, such as designated software for mooring booking systems within 48 hours of ETA, are being introduced, plus all yacht information will now be sent to the various Government departments at the same time, this doing away with the laborious and repetitive form filling on the wharf as per previous years.
The Down Under Rally have a YouTube Channel, Sailing Australia & The SW Pacific, where they share videos and information about cruising in Australia & the SW Pacific islands, including Fiji, New Caledonia & Vanuatu.
If you are planning to head to NZ, read recent experiences cruisers have had with Biosecurity NZ and hull cleaning requirements.
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South China Sea:
Sebana Cove Marina, located close to Singapore in Malaysia, is currently closed with new management due to take over, but no dates for re-opening yet.
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Indian:
It’s been announced that the month-long Andaman Islands Rally is back on for this year, to be held 20 February-21 March 2023. This is a cruiser event with yachts joining at Port Blair for a welcome dinner, tours and events around the island, followed by a number of days to individually explore and then back to Port Blair for a farewell dinner. The organisers do charge an entry fee, but assist with all paperwork for entry and cruising the islands. Contact yachtagency@andamanholidays.com for details.
Regular contributor, circumnavigator Maryanne Webb, has shared details of a stopover in Mayotte on their way from the Chagos Archipelago to South Africa. She also explains load shedding and how it affects sailors visiting South Africa.
Cruisers visiting Ilha de Mozambique have reported the importance of staying on your yacht after arrival until Immigration have been contacted and visited the boat. Immigration must be seen before the Port Captain.
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Caribbean Sea:
Two round the world rallies started this month from the Caribbean. World ARC started from Rodney Bay, St. Lucia and the fourth Oyster World Rally from Antigua. World Cruising Club will also be running an 'into the Pacific' route in February 2023. More info..
Tobago has new, high-quality moorings for yachts in Man-O-War Bay, on the NE of the Island, the first of their kind on Tobago. This bay is in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve and the moorings aim to reduce anchor damage to fragile marine ecosystems and generate income for local conservation activities as well as for maintaining the moorings.
Bonaire, once the sleepy Caribbean island loved by cruisers, is seeing changes and fees have increased significantly this year resulting in just a handful of visiting yachts when normally there are 30+. Yachts that regularly visit Bonaire report on the rise of new construction sites on the island and a feeling of being “ripped off” in comparison to the fees charged to yachts on neighbouring Curacao.
If you're visiting Bonaire and would like to learn more about sea turtles, Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) give free bi-monthly presentations where volunteers and staff talk about sea turtles and the work done to protect them. Between January and April, STCB conducts transect-count (snorkel) surveys along the west coast of Bonaire and around Klein Bonaire and are looking for volunteers for in-water surveys as well as beach clean-ups, beach keepers and their fishing line project.
US cruisers Jerry and Katy, of SV Idril, cleared into Culebra, Spanish Virgin Islands, on Christmas Day from the BVIs using ROAM. They report that the process went very smoothly. “I created and submitted an arrival request at the entrance to Ensenada Honda, and within a few minutes received a phone call from CBP. They asked me to confirm the number of persons aboard and my answers to the clearance questions, and said we were free to enter.”
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Atlantic:
As orca interactions with yachts off the Iberian peninsula in Europe continue, the Spanish authorities have launched Orcinus this month, so that yachts can see orca sightings and interactions as they happen. Orcinus is a free reporting and tracking app which allows users to view and make reports relating to Orca whale sightings and encounters. This means that as soon as a sailboat using the App sights orcas, they can report it on the App and all other App users will be notified of the position. This is a huge step in helping sailors plan their route safely around the Iberian peninsula.
A new service by the National Hurricane Center and partners started on 1 January, part of their Blue Water Mariner program. Tropical Atlantic Marine Weather Briefings will posted to YouTube every Sunday and Thursday afternoon discussing marine weather in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Tom Sheehey from Simpatico Sports Bar in Mindelo has sent a good update for cruising boats visiting the Cape Verdes. He reports a busy season so far with a large participation in the ARC+ rally (particularly Scandinavian boats), followed by a large group of Dutch boats, 60+ Danish sailors and over Christmas 3 Australian yachts. Poor winds have meant that many yachts on passage across the Atlantic have had to extend their stay in the islands.
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Mediterranean:
With scarcely one year of sailing under their belts, New Zealand sailors Connie and Greg Miller sailed away from England in the midst of the COVID pandemic, bound for Greece. Connie details 12 lessons they learned as they sailed across the Bay of Biscay, through the straits of Gibraltar and across the Mediterranean, heading for Greece.
If planning to cruise the Greek Islands this year, don’t miss Tony Cross’s yachting pilot for Crete, available as a free download from the RCCPF website. These notes were started in 2007 and are continually updated, the latest version dating from April 2022.
Cruisers with knowledge of the west coast of Italy might be able to help this Noonsite user looking for a suitable marina near Naples to keep a yacht.
Do you want to see more updates from your part of the world? Send us news and new information that’s of interest to visiting yachts and we’ll include it in our newsletters – e-mail editor@noonsite.com
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YouTube Versus Cruiser Reality
An extremely high percentage of pre-cruisers are getting their inspiration and “skills” from YouTube. While this is very positive, propelling people to follow new dreams and adventures, do YouTube channels show the true reality of the cruising life? In INSIGHTS this month, Erika Lelievre of Kids4Sail questions, is it possible to experience the positives and negatives of the cruising lifestyle through a screen? Most importantly she raises the concern, is YouTube creating a dangerous situation where people with zero actual experience are feeling as though they are skilled enough, just by watching, to take their lack of experience straight to open oceans?
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Canadian citizens Brent Crack and Mary Bevan, who are currently cruising through the Pacific on their catamaran, report that Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is the most incredible place they have been (so far) on their voyage. Here they tell Noonsite about their recent time on the Island as the first cruising yacht to visit in over a year.
At the highest latitudes of the southern hemisphere, this is the time of year when ocean voyages are possible. In particular, it is possible to get to Antarctica, and there has been an increase in both commercial and recreational passages in this part of the world in recent years. Even at this time of the year, though, passages in these areas come with significant risks. Ocean Navigator looks at weather windows for crossing the Drake Passage.
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Construction
With a hull and deck built to Lloyd's Certification and a versatile Solent/Cutter rig, the rugged construction and multiple sail plan options combine to deliver safe, effective passage-making abilities in all kinds of weather. Want to make 200-mile days under sail? This is your boat!
Interior
Below decks, smart use of space, warm, rich cabinetry and luxurious fabrics unite for elegant social areas, generous storage and secure accommodations.
Ownership History
ENCORE II has been in the hands of the current owners for more than 20 years who have enjoyed her in the Great Lakes, South Pacific and the Caribbean. Having gone through two refits during their ownership, you will find ENCORE II ready to go and nicely equipped for your next adventure.
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This month's security reports can be viewed here.
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LINKS WE LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB
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Millions of people visit the famous Tall Ships Races and Regattas every year, and thousands take part in them. These events have become so big that they are now Europe’s largest free, family festival. Find out if there’s one near where you are cruising this summer.
SAIL magazine and the Cruising Club of America have partnered to share articles by a range of experienced sailors with the aim to pass along some hard-won know-how.
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By David Lewis
Classic story of the first single-handed voyage to Antarctica, first published in 1975. For David Lewis, trying to reach the frozen southern continent, relying entirely on his own resources, was to accept the ultimate challenge of the sea. He set sail from Sydney, Australia aboard his small yacht, Ice Bird, on a search for high adventure. Several months in freezing temperatures, capsizing three times, losing his mast and rigging, Lewis sunk into despair as he suffered broken ribs and frostbite. Ice Bird is one of the great true sea stories of the twentieth century. It is also a tale of human endurance, a testimony of one man’s will to overcome almost anything and everything, physical and psychological, to stay alive.
You won’t be able to put this book down.
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Spuma Maris - an innovative biodegradable boat cleaning product.
It is solvent free and dissolves in nature in only 10 days. New bag on valve technology allows to spray even with bottle upside down and it is CO2 free - ozone friendly, as it works with pressurised air. It does not foam or smell and gives excellent cleaning results. It is mainly intended for boats, but is applicable for any use and material.
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How to get more out of Noonsite
While the majority of Noonsite continues to be a free resource, there are some ways you can get more enhanced viewing and more involved with the site:
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Become a Member:
Starting from just $2.99/month you can benefit from enhanced access to key areas of Noonsite via our membership program. Your subscription will help keep the site on the web as part of a growing community of supporters. Our free membership is available to all but does come with a ‘fair use’ policy limiting access to country formalities each month. Enjoy unlimited access via our Basic Membership for just $2.99 a month, which also gives you the Noonsite community map, where you can view at a glance marine services worldwide, ports of entry and post your favorite anchorages. Noonsite Premium Membership add offline access to port and country formalities information to use when on passage.
E-mail us with updates and reports:
For more than just a comment, send us your detailed cruising reports and experiences around the world to publish on Noonsite and share with the community. Help us keep Noonsite accurate by feeding back any port updates or experiences of first-arrival in a new country. Any cruising-related questions are welcome, contact the noonsite team directly at noonsite@noonsite.com.
Join our 2500 plus followers for notification of site updates, new cruising reports and news and other cruising-related tweets we find of interest.
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Find Crew with Ocean Crew Link
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Need crew? Want to find new sailing buddies? Then visit Ocean Crew Link, the only crew connect website specifically for ocean voyaging.
Add your boat and opportunity and it will be emailed to over 11,000 sailors worldwide. If you want to find a boat, then hop aboard as we have over 150 active sailing opportunities open all the time.
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