Noonsite February Sailing News and Updates |
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NOONSITE LAUNCHES NEW PREMIUM FEATURES |
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Exciting news this month as the long-awaited new features for Noonsite that we announced in our November newsletter went live earlier this week. If you are a regular user, you have probably already noticed a new pop-up box that appears when viewing country formalities pages. This pop-up explains how we now permit three (3) free views of country formalities a month, with further viewing and use of the Noonsite Map, restricted to those who take out Basic Membership for just $1.99 a month. Our new Premium Membership allows users to download port and country formalities information for offline use when on passage.
While these new membership levels enable an enhanced viewing of Noonsite, the majority of our information still remains free-to-view, as it has been for over 20 years. During this time, Noonsite has grown to over 50,000 pages of information covering more than 200 countries and regions around the world, and the new payment gateway will go some way towards enabling us to maintain and improve the website, developing more new features that our users have been requesting.
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We were also delighted this month to receive an Award from the Ocean Cruising Club for our work at the start of the pandemic as part of Team South Pacific. Working closely with a number of other cruising organisations and individuals who were also recognised by the OCC, Noonsite became the central hub for fast and accurate information about border closures and where to find refuge for the many yachts that were stranded in the Pacific as borders began closing.
With such an encouraging start to 2022, we hope we can continue to guide you, your boat and your crew, as we grow even bigger and better.
Sue and the Noonsite Team.
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On their way to the Cape Verde Islands, Peter Hoefnagels and Inge van Berkel sailed their fossil-fuel-free vessel “The Ya” to The Gambia where they found an amazing country that is very open and welcoming to sailors.
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Western Australia’s Kimberley coast has so much to see and do, but it has its restrictions. When exploring this remote coastline, Jack and Jude Binder found an offshore reef with no crocodiles, great fishing, white sand and some warm water for swimming.
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Useful Links:
If you are sailing in more remote regions of the world, lesser explored by cruising boats, send us your story – editor@noonsite.com, subject “Off the Beaten Path”.
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Chad and Michelle (Dad and Mum), Teagan and Kellyn (2 daughters) and Quincy the Great Dane live on board their Aleutian 51 ketch-rigged sailboat Tulum V. They have lived on board permanently since July 2018 and are relative newbies to the cruising world. Their blog focuses on the practical side of living on board, prepping the boat for long-distance cruising and cruising on production sailboats. Even the dog has her own advice column! After 2 years in Mexico they are moving on to El Salvador with their newly acquired ship’s cat. Tulum V’s blog/website started in 2014 and has continued to grow since then.
If you think you have a blog/vlog that Noonsite users will find interesting and useful, let us know at noonsite@noonsite.com where you are sailing, who you are and a summary of your cruising history.
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An overall easing of restrictions this month and some country openings, meaning at last many boat owners will be able to get back to their border-bound boats and start cruising again. |
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Europe:
After evaluating that the COVID-19 restrictions have not halted the further spread of the virus and its variants, as well as after taking into account the increased vaccination rates, several European Union/Schengen Area countries have announced that they will now apply less stringent rules. Sweden was among the first countries to announce restriction-free entry to incoming travellers from the EU/Schengen Area regardless of their vaccination or recovery status. Norway followed suit and have now lifted all COVID-19 entry requirements for all travellers as have Guernsey in the Channel Islands. The UK have abolished quarantine for unvaccinated arrivals, instead just requiring pre-arrival testing. In contrast Portugal and France have abolished testing requirements for travellers who hold a valid COVID vaccination certificate.
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Mediterranean:
Greece and Tunisia have also abolished testing requirements for vaccinated travelers this month. Israel finally opened its land and sea borders at the end of January and will be welcoming all tourists from all countries - regardless of vaccination status - from 1 March.
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Caribbean:
Jamaica's sea ports are now open to all foreign travellers with only travel authorization and a negative PCR test result required to enter. The Dominican Republic has ended all COVID-19 public health restrictions this month, including a mask mandate and vaccine checks in public spaces, despite not yet reaching the government's vaccination target of 70% coverage for adults. Unlike most Caribbean countries, the DR doesn't require proof of vaccination, a Covid test or quarantine for most incoming visitors. The French Islands have lightened the health control system at their borders, particularly for vaccinated travellers.
South America:
With its continually changing rules over the last 2 years, Ecuador´s ports appear to finally be open throughout the mainland to vaccinated travelers with testing on arrival. More good news is that the new Autografo for mainland Ecuador, at a cost of over $200, is in fact only required for yachts over 50 tons.
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Atlantic:
If heading from South Africa to St. Helena, be aware that due to limited resources the mandatory free Covid test administered on arrival for yacht crew is only possible on a Thursday at 13:00. Arrivals at, or after this time, will have to remain on board until the following Thursday to be tested.
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Pacific:
Australia Border Force have confirmed that the announcement made on the 21st February 2022 regarding the opening of Australian Borders, also applies to arrivals by sea. After 2 years of closure this is welcome news for international cruisers that have been stuck in the South Pacific islands and boat owners wanting to return to their yachts. New Zealand border openings are still a moving playing field following the government’s announcement this month of a re-opening plan. For international cruisers there are two important dates: 22nd July when absentee owners from nominated countries can fly into NZ; and October, when a general border opening is programmed. Good news also in Fiji as Vuda Marina has now been approved as a port of entry under the Blue Lane Procedure.
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Canadian Sailor JJ Holcman has spent many years exploring the coast of British Columbia after emigrating to Canada from the Czech Republic in 1982 and purchasing his first sailboat in 1986. Here he shares his experience of cruising this coastline with useful pilotage notes, local boating tips, a round-up of the best places to visit and a wealth of weather and navigation links.
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After sailing his Beneteau Oceanis ’50, S/Y Sea Monster, from Singapore to Thailand and enduring a two-year COVID-19 enforced delay, Jeremy Chase has finally returned to Singapore and is looking forward to sailing again in his home waters. This is his story of what happened and how they finally made it home.
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Caribbean Sea: The NW Caribbean SSB net started this month on 6209Mhz commencing at 08:30 Belize and Honduras time, 14:30GMT, with Net Controller John of SV Triumphant. Caribbean Compass report in their February edition that the Coral Bay Yacht Club of St. John, USVI, has launched a new website that includes a free Coral Bay Cruising Guide aimed at visiting cruising boats.
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Red Sea: The Red Sea is getting busy now with most yachts transiting between December and April. Many cruising boats are departing from SE Asia and the Indian Ocean this month, on their way to Djibouti and Wade Alarie of the Red Sea Passage Facebook Group estimates that between 50 and 60 boats will make the passage up the Red Sea this year (a significant increase on last year’s numbers). Read his advice for yachts travelling both northbound and southbound through the Red Sea if you are planning to head that way.
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LINKS WE LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB |
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The islands await sailors fleeing winter, but be sure to pack flexibility, realistic expectations and an open schedule as you put together your plans.
Discover the allure of cruising in company, plus an essential list of organised rallies operating all over the globe.
Ways to slash the cost of digital nautical charts with a guide to the best sources of free chart data.
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This book is a thrilling intellectual detective story that looks deep into the past to uncover who first settled the islands of the remote Pacific, where they came from, how they got there, and how we know. For the author Christine Thompson, this mystery is personal: her Maori husband and their sons descend directly from these ancient navigators. In Sea People, Thompson explores the fascinating story of these ancestors, as well as those of the many sailors, linguists, archaeologists, folklorists, biologists, and geographers who have puzzled over this history for three hundred years. A masterful mix of history, geography, anthropology, and the science of navigation, Sea People combines the thrill of exploration with the drama of discovery in a vivid tour of one of the most captivating regions in the world. The ideal book for your next long passage.
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offers a discount to Noonsite members
Save 10%!
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Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today!
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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:
Become a Member:
- Free membership means you can contribute comments to all ports, countries and reports, and take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts, but it does limit you to just 3 views of formalities pages a month.
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If you take our Basic membership for just $1.99 a month you can do the same as you would for free but you can also get unlimited views of formalities plus post anchorages and use the Noonsite Map.
- Premium membership for $6.99 a month enables all that the basic membership covers plus offline access to up to 10 ports and associated formalities a month. The perfect package for long passages.
All membership is paid monthly, so it´s easy to upgrade should you wish.
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 2000 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 |
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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