Noonsite December Sailing News and Updates |
|
Christmas is almost upon us and it's been a year like no other. While for many, cruising dreams have been put on hold, there are still the determined few who have hung on and continue to sail offshore and explore new cruising grounds despite Covid restrictions. Some are determined to make their dreams a reality in 2021, others simply want to return to their boats and resume cruising, but all of us are hoping the New Year holds the potential to start the world of offshore cruising turning once again - albeit in a different model to what we are used to.
A wonderful end to Noonsite’s 20th year was being awarded the SSCA Growltiger Clean Wake Award for services to the cruising community, in particular during the Covid crisis. It’s a great honour for the site and team to be recognised in this way after two decades of providing free information for cruisers around the world.
We would like to thank all our readers, advertisers and contributors for supporting Noonsite during 2020. One thing that this year has clearly demonstrated is how much co-operation there is within the cruising community and how, if we all work together and share information, we can inform, advise and educate cruisers in a much more effective way. We look forward to continuing this spirit of co-operation and sharing in 2021.
Merry Christmas and Fair Winds!
Sue and the Noonsite Team
|
|
Cyclone Season has arrived in the South Pacific
On the 14th December, Tropical Cyclone YASA was named and the first cyclone in the South Pacific this season had formed. YASA slowly looped between Vanuatu and Fiji for a couple of days before developing into a Category 5 cyclone and making landfall the evening of 17th December over Bua province, on the northern island of Vanua Levu. Yasa was one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in Fiji with gusts up to 350km/h near the eye of the storm. Villages in Vanua Levu have lost a lot of houses and the wind has flattened many community buildings and crops. The Island Nation of Fiji in its entirety has been declared a “State of Natural Disaster” for the next 30 days.
|
|
All Change
Covid protocols worldwide are continuing to flex and change overnight with many revisions prior to the Christmas holiday period.
Well prepared transatlantic crew en-route to St. Lucia arrived to discover that protocols had changed and they were required to take yet another test on arrival (in the region of $100 per person). St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada have also adjusted their protocols prior to the Christmas period, now wanting tests taken 72 hours before departure from the last port.
The BVIs made a U-turn at the start of December less than 12 hours before seaports were due to open to ferry services, announcing a delay until January 21st, 2021. The exclusion zone is being rigorously enforced and a number of vessels have been detained and fined when accidentally crossing over into BVI waters. There is still no mention as to when sea borders will open to recreational vessels.
Colombia suddenly opened its maritime borders in this month, as did Malaysia – although only if you have a boatyard contract for repairs and maintenance. Thailand announced a special tourist visa for visiting yacht crew for a limited time only, allowing visitors to stay up to 270 days. Rules, however, are complex, the paperwork daunting and it is expensive but doable if you really want to get into Thailand with your boat.
|
|
Indian Ocean Season Looming
Some good news from the Indian Ocean this month. The Maldives parliament has passed an amendment to the Tourism Act and from January 1st, 2021 will no longer take a "Cruising Permit Fee" from vessels smaller than 15m. This will mean free cruising for up to 180 days – a saving of more than $300. BIOT have re-opened permit applications for 2021, a move that will be welcomed by many cruising boats wanting to visit this pristine protected paradise as they cross the Indian Ocean. And South Africa have announced they will remain open to foreign yachts with just three ports of entry: Richards Bay; Durban; and Cape Town.
Des Cason, ex-cruiser and weather and routing guru, has compiled a guide to crossing the Indian Ocean to assist 2021 passagemakers based on his experience of conditions in the Indian Ocean over the past five years.
For those planning an Indian Ocean crossing, useful groups to share information are:
Search on Noonsite under Indian Ocean for more useful links and articles.
|
|
Rally Update from World Cruising Club |
|
Last spring it looked like World Cruising Club (WCC) might not be able to run any sailing events at all in 2020 as countries went into total lock-down. As the year turns there are now signs for optimism, even if “back to normal” is still many months away. We have adapted to the new reality of ever-changing protocols, masks and social distancing, quarantine and testing. ARC/ARC+ 2020 has proved that we can deliver our events in a COVID-secure way with the co-operation and support of all our participants, our hosts, our sponsors and the WCC team. Using the experience of this year’s ARC we are planning to run our summer programme starting in May. Flexibility is the key as we adapt to changing circumstances during the coming year. If COVID forces the cancellation of any of our rallies, fees will be refunded, as happened in 2020, or cruisers can transfer to a future edition. Many cruisers also share our optimism and our summer routes are already filling. Also look out for our online seminars – recorded seminars can be viewed in the Members' Area of our website and new events will be hosted online in the spring.
Future Dates
Lastly, from all the team at World Cruising Club we would like to wish you Season’s Greetings and best wishes for a happy, healthy and joyful New Year 2021.
|
|
This month we welcome back Author and Instructor Duncan Wells with the third part of his Man Overboard series. Having previously covered MOB when sailing to windward and downwind, in this episode he discusses how to keep track of a crew member over board and reviews a number of the latest products on the market.
|
|
Sea Change for UK Cruisers
On the other side of the world, Brexit date looms and UK cruisers are concerned about how leaving the EU is going to affect their cruising habits in the European Union. Consequently there is much being written and said by various experts to help outline how the future is looking for both sailors and boats. Here are just some of the best:
-
Brexit Issues for Cruising Sailors (Cruising Association) The key Brexit issues affecting the sailing community have been addressed in a recently held webinar by the Cruising Association which has now been made available to the general public. The CA have now made the information public so that all sailors can learn from their expertise in this area. Lots of well researched information not for just UK yachtsmen, but for all third country sailors that want to visit the EU.
-
Brexit – What Happens Next (RYA) The RYA’s understanding of Brexit and customs/VAT status based on information from the Commission and HMRC - available to anyone.
|
|
PANTAENIUS - Is it time you reviewed your boat insurance? |
For most of the year, your boat insurance is probably the last thing on your mind and rightly so, but it’s worth taking the time to check the fine print in your policy. The only way you know how good your insurance is, is when you come to claim and by then it may be too late.
As boat insurance specialists, Pantaenius offers market leading All Risks Hull cover and a dedicated Third Party Liability Policy, both of which offer comprehensive cover without unclear exclusions.
Why not join the 100,000 boat owners worldwide who enjoy the peace of mind a Pantaenius policy provides. Ask us for a quote
|
|
Following a number of incidents when cruising boats have been unable to successfully gain entry to harbors in the Canaries, Oliver Solanas Heinrichs – founder of 8islas.com and representative for a number of cruising associations in the Canaries – has sent some useful guidelines.
This French yacht departed South Africa as soon as the ports opened up in July, destination the Caribbean. With stopovers in Namibia, St. Helena, Brazil and French Guiana they found a warm welcome in every port.
A few days after flying back to their boat from New Zealand, this cruising family of five found themselves locked down in Moorea, French Polynesia. This interesting vlog describes how the experience of being confined in paradise was for their family.
How two different sailing families coped in South-East Asia when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
A fascinating report by Guy Chester of the Ocean Cruising Club, who was instrumental in working towards getting South Pacific borders open for cruising boats.
|
|
2020 has been a big year for Noonsite as the website turned 20 after two decades of serving the cruising community with comprehensive information for enjoying the world’s oceans. No one could have seen that the year would in fact bring far less cause for celebration and instead we would be dealing with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated the cruising plans of thousands. We are dedicated to continuing to help guide you through the COVID maze of border closures and restrictions as well as bringing you information that will inspire and facilitate your cruising plans, but wanted to remind you how you can get involved and support Noonsite too. Read how you can donate, advertise and contribute to keep Noonsite as the ultimate cruisers planning tool for many more decades to come.
|
|
|
A voyage few cruising boats endeavour to undertake and a story of perseverance and courage. Initially taking part in the Baltic Millenium Rally through Russia’s northern inland waterways – Irene Campbell-Grin and her husband Gordon decided to continue on and circumnavigate Scandinavia. A coastline not for the faint hearted with its fair share of challenges, the voyage was arduous at times but turned out to be 5 months of incredibly rewarding cruising. A great book for anyone considering venturing into the Baltic or cruising Scandinavia.
|
|
This beautifully produced compendium gives you a knot challenge for every day of the year. With hundreds to choose from, all colour coded by use, you can work through the book from start to finish, gradually building on your knowledge as you go, or alternatively dipping in and out for your daily knotting fix.
|
|
A guide to catching and cooking fish from the decks of a cruising boat. It gives you what you need to know about catching fish in tropical or middle-latitude seas - from a cruising boat underway or at anchor, from a dinghy, in the surf, and while diving reefs.
|
|
How to get more out of Noonsite
Whilst Noonsite continues to be a free resource, there are some ways you can get more involved with the site:
Donate to Noonsite:
If you have benefited from the information that the Noonsite team works tirelessly to provide for the cruising community, both before and during the COVID-19 crisis, please consider making a donation to support the site. Your contribution will ensure we can keep delivering updates regularly and help support the running costs of the site.
Register with Noonsite:
Quick and simple to set-up, registering on the site means you can contribute comments to all ports, countries and reports, post anchorages on the new mapping feature and take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts. Click on "login" to create a profile.
E-mail us with updates and reports:
For more detailed cruising reports and any cruising-related questions, contact the noonsite team directly at noonsite@noonsite.com.
For notification of site updates, new info, news and cruising articles.
|
|
Don't want to sail home? Transport your yacht by ship |
If you want your boat back fast, then shipping may be the solution.
Companies like Peters & May arrange for your yacht to be shipped from the Caribbean to Northern Europe, Mediterranean or ports in the USA - from the Mediterranean to and from SE Asia and through the Pacific.
|
|
Find Crew with Ocean Crew Link |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
