Noonsite April Sailing News and Updates |
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This month we are celebrating all things NEW.
The NEW version of Noonsite has been live for 4 weeks and is getting rave reviews. We hope by now you are finding Noonsite faster, slicker and easier to use. Let us know what else you’d like to see Noonsite deliver as we are constantly working on developing the site further. Get involved by posting comments and sending us your cruising thoughts – whether it be feedback on the most recent port visited, reviewing a marine company you’ve used or sharing advice and tips with fellow cruisers.
Noonsite has a NEW ropes and rigging partner, the legendary Jimmy Green Marine, who have been supplying sailors with rope and splicing options since the 1980's. We are delighted to partner with a company that supplies high-quality, sustainable products and provides a trustworthy personal service globally. Find out more about how Jimmy Green Marine can help you at https://jimmygreen.com/.
To help you get more out of Noonsite we have a NEW section in the newsletter this month where we start profiling the site’s features that you might not know about yet. Start digging deeper with Noonsite and you’ll be surprised what you might find.
Wherever you are cruising - fishing from your boat may likely be part of the plan. Don’t miss the NEW book about foraging while cruising - The Hunter and the Gatherer - our chosen title of the month. Produced by experienced cruisers it includes a very useful section on how to fish (as well as prepare and cook your catch). A beautifully produced book and a definite asset to the cruising library.
Lots more news for worldwide cruisers in our newsletter this month, we hope you enjoy it.
Fair Winds,
Sue and the Noonsite Team.
Editor@noonsite.com
Previous newsletters can be viewed here.
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As of late March, ENSO-neutral conditions were occurring, but El Niño conditions may develop between May and July affecting weather patterns around the world. The sea-surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are warmer than usual, in fact scientists are saying April 2023 will be by far the hottest month for the Earth's oceans we've ever measured. If El Niño develops and is robust Colorado State University anticipate that the 2023 Atlantic hurricane activity will be slightly below-average.
Warming ocean temperatures may be contributing to the increased growth of Sargassum and lengthening the growing season. Scientists are saying that if you haven’t heard of the great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, chances are high that you’ll be hearing about it the northern hemisphere this summer. The mass of seaweed looming in the Atlantic Ocean is now officially record-breaking. Unpleasant on beaches and in harbors, these mats of algae wreak havoc when on passage, blocking up water intakes and interfering with rudders. Know where it floats so you can avoid it on passage.
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Noonsite has a map!
You may not have found this feature yet, but as long as you are a paid member you can use the map to find your way around the site. Just click on the hamburger menu and scroll down to find the port and marina map link, or access the map via the icon on the port page. The map can be viewed in a window, or full screen, and has a filter menu so you can view all ports, just ports of entry, marinas, boatyards or anchorages.
Post your own anchorages on the map to build a picture of all the places you have visited – then view them under “My anchorages”. Share great snorkelling spots and comment on destinations you’ve liked. Find the boatyards nearest you, or simply get an overview of the next country you plan to sail to, where the ports of entry are located, with direct access to port information from the map. We hope to have more map features coming soon.
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Icon Navigation
The new version of Noonsite uses icons for navigating. From right to left, the icons are:
- An "i" icon opens a navigation panel that lets you navigate between the sections of the country and port.
- A "checklist" icon opens the formalities selection panel (only appears on country pages).
- An "anchor" icon opens the list of ports you can view and indicates which are ports of entry.
- A "map pin" icon (only on port pages) takes you to the map to view the port on the map (you must be logged in with a Basic membership or higher to view the map).
- A "speech bubble" icon opens the comments for that country or port.
- A "file download" icon allows downloading the information for a country or port for offline access (only available to Premium members). Marine business listings are included in the port downloads.
How to share feedback
The "speech bubble" icon appears on port and country pages as well as news and reports, both top and bottom. If you have something to say, just go to the page you want to comment on, click on this icon and type away. Comments load immediately (unless it’s your first time posting, then it will need to be approved). This is a quick and easy way to share feedback, updates and news with fellow cruisers. Whenever we reference feedback and comments in the newsletter, just follow the link and click on the speech bubble icon to read what has been posted. Start sharing your feedback now!
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After spending time with the Manta Rays of the Islas Revillagigedo in Mexico (see our February newsletter) and starting the “I Saw A Manta” citizen science project for the Pacific Mexico waters, Bruce and Alene of the Cross trimaran “Migration” sailed back to French Polynesia, returning after a 13-year Pacific circle via New Zealand, Thailand, Japan, and Alaska (among many others). They arrived in the Marquesas in May 2022 and spent several months enjoying those beautiful islands before heading to the atolls of the Tuamotus and then returning to the Marquesas for the cyclone season.
There are plenty of Mantas in French Polynesia and Bruce and Alene have been sending ID photos to researchers working with the Manta Trust (https://www.mantatrust.org/). Details about the research program are in this brochure. If you are in any of the island groups of French Polynesia, you can participate, too. To learn how to ID mantas, and to submit your photos, just visit the Manta Trust ID page. Mantas are curious, beautiful, smart, and endangered, so anything you can do to help is appreciated.
Let us know how you’ve been getting involved with local community projects as you cruise and we’ll feature your story here.
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Are you keen to visit more countries but daunted by the ocean passages in between? Nothing beats building up experience of offshore cruising to give you confidence for those vast ocean passages, however, the complexities of undertaking an ocean voyage is not for everyone. If cruising to far flung places is still on the wish list, investigate the option of yacht transport, outlined this month on Noonsite with guidance from Sevenstar Yacht Transport. It might just be the answer you are looking for.
The sad news that the search for overdue American yacht "Ocean Bound" on passage from Mexico Baja to California was called off, highlights the importance of filing a float plan prior to departure with shore-based contacts who know you and your boat best and will be able to assist authorities and others in looking for you. BoatWatch’s security resource page has a sample float plan and useful information. Experienced cruiser Viki Moore also gives some sound advice on how to help your friends and family help you when offshore passagemaking.
So you want to sail around the world? Fiona of Waterborne outlines 10 steps that took them from landlubbers to bluewater cruisers in two years.
Jimmy Cornell with his son Ivan have completely updated their World Voyage Planner, last published 5 years ago. “Since the previous edition of this book”, says Jimmy, “there has been a marked intensification of the effects of global warming on weather conditions throughout the world. The safety factor in voyage planning is therefore even more important than in the past. This fully revised and updated edition takes into account all those changes that affect offshore voyages."
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BOAT HOW TO - BY NIGEL CALDER |
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BoatHowTo.com is the most dependable source of technical knowledge for sailors and boaters around the world, developed by renowned marine electrical ‘guru’ Nigel Calder, together with Dr. Jan C. Athenstädt and Michael Herrmann. Their online courses and guides help users to enjoy trouble-free boating and solve both common and not so common technical problems on their own boats.
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If you are dreaming of setting sail across oceans, this is a unique opportunity to discover more about the bluewater cruising life, connect with other likeminded cruisers and learn from experienced offshore skippers and industry experts. Takes place in Lymington, UK, on June 10th and is free to attend.
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Pacific:
The southern hemisphere cruising season kicks off in May now that cyclone season is officially over and yachts are already South Pacific-bound from Panama, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia.
- 3pm Saturday 29th April at Opua Cruising Club
- 11am Wednesday 3rd May at Marsden Cove Marina Rec. Room
A single new on-line entry form has been introduced for all foreign pleasure yachts visiting French Polynesia. This is intended to act as an inward and outward reporting form, plus can be modified during your stay in the islands for crew changes and inter-island cruising. Reports from cruisers that have recently arrived in FP, however, are that a visit is still required to Immigration and very little appears to have changed (other than having to now complete the online form prior to arrival).
At the start of April, Tonga and the Cook Islands dropped their COVID 19 restrictions for visiting yachts.
In the Cook Islands, Palmerston Island maritime border has re-opened. For many Pacific cruisers a visit to Palmerston is one of those unforgettable experiences as it is a unique place. Since Palmerston Island is not a designated Customs port, it is imperative that all sailing vessels apply for approval to visit using Customs Form 27.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has advised that several islands in the Mamanuca Group will be off limits until 30 June 2023 due to filming for the US Survivor series. The islands are Monu Riki, Monu and Yanuya Islands, Tavua & Nautanivono Islands and Mana Island including Nuku Is. More information at the MSAF website.
In the central Pacific, Kiritimati Island (Christmas Island) has re-opened to visiting yachts as a port of entry for Kiribati. Some Covid restrictions are still in place and advance application necessary. Be sure to send documents for clearance a week or two prior to arriving to avoid further delays on entry.
Following the horrible attack on SY Screensaver in Kandrian, Papua New Guinea, 8 months ago, the skipper has now shared more details about the vicious assault with the Down Under Rally’s Ahoy Sailing News.
Many cruisers that spend the South Pacific cyclone season in NZ decide to buy a car to tour the country, as it’s much less expensive than renting. Katie and Matt Monahan of SV Searcher did just that, but didn't bank on the car being stolen. Here they explain what precautions should be taken.
Mark & Jennifer Ullmann of MV Starlet have created a set of 28 charts for the east coast of Australia, including the Coral Sea, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, and shared them for free on the ChartLocker.com.
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Indian:
Visiting yachts will still come across a lot of bureaucracy when entering India and moving around ports. Michael Strotmann recently visited Kochi and has posted useful feedback on the lengthy entry procedure and conditions for visiting yachts.
Most sailors visit the Maldives as a stopover on their way from South East Asia to the Red Sea, but it’s worth a longer visit say Hans and Imma from Spanish yacht “Tuvalu”, who report on an amazing sailing destination with very friendly and helpful people.
Madagascar’s maritime borders are still technically closed, however, with a newly appointed Minister of Transport yachts may now make an application to enter in advance. Bryce of Catamaran “Lady Blue” is currently cruising the Madagascar coast and reports; “We are currently in Sainte Marie, Madagascar, having arrived on the 10th of April and we plan to cruise towards Nosy Be while making a few stops on the way (i.e. Diego Suarez). A few weeks before leaving Mauritius (last port of call) I wrote to APMF in order to request permission to enter into the territory of Madagascar. After 2 weeks of waiting time and me chasing, the local authority replied positively to my request and so we received the authorization letter. We are the only foreign yacht cruising in the area as of now.” Find out more at Madagascar Biosecurity.
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Red Sea:
The majority of cruising boats use Djibouti, at the entrance to the Red Sea, simply as a convenient stopover port to refuel. SV Anthem, however, chose to spend some time cruising the coastline and were unexpectedly surprised at what an interesting and beautiful cruising area it proved to be. Australian cruisers Sailing CathayOz, currently heading for Europe up the Red Sea, also stopped in Djibouti and took time to discover what lies beyond the port. Their informative video covers the highlights of their explorations ashore to places where cruisers rarely go.
The Suez Canal is busy with northbound transits as yachts head towards the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Cruisers continue to warn about high clearance costs in Egypt, with Suez still being the cheapest place to enter the country and a good spot from which to explore inland. The Red Sea Passage Facebook group remains the best support group and information for yachts in transit.
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Caribbean Sea:
It’s almost May, Spring is in the air and for many boats it’s time to leave the Caribbean and head either north to the east coast of the United States or back across the Atlantic to Europe. Experienced sailor and author Don Street has some sage advice for those planning their voyage, having been discussing the routes and timing with sailors ever since he arrived in the Caribbean in 1956.
The 2023 @NOAA Hurricane Awareness Webinar Series begins next week (May 2) and continues through the month of May! Click on the link to register for each of the free webinars.
In many bays in the Caribbean you will be approached by local "entrepreneurs" wanting to help you find a mooring, sell you something or serve as your tour guide. They will normally approach you in their own boats (small fishing boats or even rafts) as you come into the bay and at times, may appear aggressive in their behaviour. Be clear which "boat boy" you are going to use, get their name and tell all others that you have chosen "x" to take care of you. Agree a price beforehand and always leave someone on board when crew go ashore. Alan Wells comments on his recent experience with boat boys at Soufriere, St. Lucia. Read this useful article on boat boys for more details, tips and advice.
In Antigua, entry procedures are changing from COVID to a post-COVID regiment. Joe Karpinski, SSCA Antigua host, has posted feedback on what’s new in Antigua. Turks and Caicos also dropped COVID 19 testing/vaccination requirements at the start of April.
SY Kookaburra has posted great feedback from a cruise in the NW Caribbean as they transit SW through the Cayman Islands, to Swan Islands, Honduras and on to Guanaja in the Bay Islands.
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Atlantic:
Cape Hatteras, off the East Coast of North Carolina, USA, has long been known to mariners as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Its fame and reputation come not from the Cape itself, but from the succession of ever-shifting underwater sandbars, known collectively as Diamond Shoals, that extend seaward to the very edge of the Gulf Stream. Joan Conover, President of the Seven Seas Cruising Association, gives an Insight into recent research and how the currents in this area impact on vessels in transit.
A new scheme to reduce pollution and prevent overcrowding on the waterways of Amsterdam now requires most boats transiting the city to purchase a vignette. The Cruising Associations European Inland Waterways Section (EIWS) has helped decipher the application process with a 13-page guidance note explaining the fine details of the scheme and providing step-by-step translations of the numerous online pages to be navigated when ordering and paying for the vignette.
The Orcas Location WhatsApp group is becoming very active as more yachts join that are transiting down the coast of Spain and Portugal and report on passages made and any sightings. Find out the resources available to track orca activity on our Orca and yachts page.
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Mediterranean:
Non-European yachts cruising in the Med should familiarise themselves with the EU laws re. Schengen (i.e. rules for the skipper and crew), and for VAT/Import Duty (i.e. the boat). The European Union has once again postponed the new EES system intended to replace passport stamps until May 2024. Our European Union page covers everything you need to know.
Cruisers in Turkey report that high inflation means many yachts are leaving as costs become prohibitive. Wade Alarie of SY Joana, who has spent nearly 3 years in Turkey, told Noonsite; “Inflation in Türkiye is wild, much higher than anything reported in the news. I bought two flexible solar panels in October 2022 for 14,000TL. In February 2023, I bought two more panels (from the same vendor) for 21,000TL.” Look out for Wade’s full report on Turkey in next month’s newsletter.
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Floating Studio
Rekka Bell and partner have been operating their travelling studio,off-the-grid, for nearly 5 years as they circumnavigate the Pacific. Here they share the lessons they have learnt from working on board as they explore the Pacific with their sailboat “Pino”. For anyone considering combining working with cruising, Rekka gives some valuable advice and suggestions.
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Situated in West Africa, Guinea Bisseau is one of the few unexplored and little sailed paradises around the world. Greek sailor Anastasakis Kleanthis and Bernado Conceicao (who was born in Guinea Bisseau) report on their time there while circumnavigating the world in their 26 foot Beneteau “Nala”.
On the other side of the world, British Colombia in Canada has equally wild cruising to offer. Jim Burgoyne and Lynne Picard from the Salish Sea Pilot outline getting to the west coast of Vancouver Island and highlight some of the lesser-known anchorages that can be found on that side of the island starting in the little town of Ucluelet.
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Jimmy Green Online
Custom Build Service
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Our online custom build tool enables you to order the professionally finished article made to your individual specifications.
JimmyGreen.com will provide an instant price for any splicing, whipping, wire termination or profile stitching custom build product.
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Creating your own
Custom Spliced Rope
This video demonstrates a step-by-step guide to using the Jimmy Green online Custom Build tool by creating a Genoa and a Main Halyard in LIROS Braid on Braid EVO. The Custom Build Process can be used for all your rope, wire and webbing requirements on JimmyGreen.com.
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LINKS WE LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB |
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Making Waves champions the achievements of women connected with the sea. From sailors to scientists, surfers to environmentalists, this series profiles trailblazing women working on, in and for the ocean.
The German cruising club TransOcean has a wide variety of cruising stories by their members, from Japan to Suriname to the Azores. In German.
Top tips on how to eliminate odour from your holding tank.
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By Catherine Lawson and David Bristow
This deliciously-produced book is not only a joy to look at and hold, but is packed with mouth-watering recipes that you can create in your galley using ingredients you can find (almost) anywhere, the majority just over the side. After two decades afloat cruising in far-flung places, the authors have cooked up countless meals in tiny galleys, with limited availability of supplies and perfected the art of providing tasty, easy meals on long passages. They are experts in foraging for their food by fishing, hunting and gathering. This book tackles it all, in superb style, with photographs to die for and an abundance of really useful information that will have you dying to start foraging yourself and get the pan on the stove for some recipe testing. A book that can be enjoyed by all cruisers, both newbies and seasoned, and an inspiration to cook a meal straight from the source in the freshest form possible. Choose to eat sustainable food and learn how to grow, catch, forage, harvest and cook with it.
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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 nearly 3000 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 |
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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