Noonsite March Sailing News and Updates |
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Welcome news this month for so many cruisers around the world as a swathe of countries have begun easing entry requirements considerably or in some cases lifting Covid-related entry protocols altogether. After 2 years of not knowing, the travel situation is finally starting to look more settled. Many cruisers have had to sell their boats and give up on their dreams because of Covid, but it is encouraging for those still out there that they can now start to venture onward. Keep reading for all the latest updates.
After a successful launch of new features for Noonsite last month we are delighted to see so many of you registering for our basic and premium memberships. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time and commitment to do so and for your welcome feedback, all of you are helping keep Noonsite on the web.
This month INSIGHTS is back with tips on using the free weather app Windy, plus we have a new section for those just starting out in the world of long-distance cruising full of useful links, reports and helpful resources.
We hope you enjoy our March newsletter,
Sue and the Noonsite Team.
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One of the most common questions we get asked is how much will it cost to be a liveaboard cruiser. Of course, there’s no clear-cut answer to this as it clearly depends on a wide number of factors, but to help you research this better we have put together a Cost of Cruising Compilation with links to blogs, articles, podcasts and videos by liveaboards all over the world who have addressed this subject. Coming up, more free webinars from the Seven Seas Cruising Association, this time focusing on provisioning, cooking offshore and SSB (radio) and offshore communications. And don’t miss our Cruising Information library, with a large section on Preparation and Planning.
A very helpful report this month comes from Caribbean Compass by experienced Caribbean cruiser David Lyman, reporting on an eventful passage last Fall from the US to Antigua. The novice crew on board the boat in question had to cope with more than they bargained for and the lessons learnt are a useful reminder for all of us, particularly those new to cruising. Be inspired with this report by Canadian cruiser Anne Lange (pictured above) who reflects on How Cruising Changed My Life, a positive message for all who may be considering life as a liveaboard cruiser.
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A Place of Exhilarating and Unforgettable Experiences
US sailors Deb and Pete Rossin have been boating for over 50 years with around 40,000 nautical miles beneath their joint keels in the last 10 years. However, nothing they have done before comes close to the experiences they had in the waters of Antarctica. This is their story of a voyage below 60degS.
If cruising off the beaten path is for you, there are a number of grants available for sailors, adventurers and environmentalists. The first in the news this month is the OCC Challenge Grant available to sailors planning a particularly ambitious sail-exploration or a similarly ambitious maritime conservation or environmental project. Prior membership of the OCC is not required in order to apply. The second is the Brian Black Memorial Award for Environmental Journalism which celebrates the best writing about marine environmental issues as explored by sailing boat, awarded by Yachting Monthly.
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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Or at least part of it
Danish yacht Ronja has been cruising Europe and the Med since 2012, currently in Greece. Owners Per and Kirsten reflect on things and people they meet on their way (in English). They want their blog to give inspiration to other sailors and adventurers as they themselves have been inspired by other sailors sharing their experiences here on Noonsite. Their blog covers good places to visit, nice things to experience and ugly things to avoid. It has informative port reviews, facts, tips, evaluations, comments – all in good humour.
If you think you have a blog/vlog that Noonsite users will find interesting and useful, let us know at noonsite@noonsite.com
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Europe:
A number of countries have abolished all travel restrictions relating to Covid including Ireland, Iceland, UK and the Channel Islands. Netherlands have done the same for all travelers coming from other EU/Schengen countries.
Mediterranean:
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Caribbean:
Aruba and Curacao have scrapped all Covid-19 travel restrictions, as have Antigua and USVI for fully vaccinated arrivals. In the Bahamas the 5th day post-arrival test has been eliminated and Dominica has removed the need for arrival testing for vaccinated travelers (but pre-departure tests are still required). St. Lucia and SVG, now permit vaccinated crew to arrive with just a rapid antigen result.
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South America:
Covid-19 arrival controls have ceased in French Guiana and Brazil is slowly opening its maritime borders with 2 ports of entry open at this time to pleasure vessels with Covid testing on arrival.
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Pacific:
Big news this month was the announcement that Australia’s maritime borders were opening at last, however the government have still not yet published clear guidelines for entry by pleasure craft. Currently entry into Queensland is proving successful with testing on arrival for vaccinated crew. Other States have not confirmed their rules for arriving yachts. The much-awaited opening of New Caledonia has also been confirmed this month, with just a Covid test required 48 hours after arrival. More good news from New Zealand as the date for re-opening air borders has been brought forward. International visitors from visa-waiver countries can now fly to NZ from 1 May, 2022, a big relief for many boat owners whose yachts have been stuck in NZ throughout the Pandemic. The COVID-19 extension for vessels in NZ on C4G/Temporary Import Entry has also been extended for a further 12 months to 30 June 2023. The Galapagos now permit all visitors to enter with just a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid test and Fiji has also eased its Blue Lane entry procedures further.
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Indian Ocean:
Maldives now permit vaccinated arrivals to enter without any testing.
SE Asia:
Malaysia will re-open its borders from 1 April. Pre-departure and on-arrival testing are required for everyone, but vaccinated arrivals won't need to quarantine. Other openings include Vietnam and Papua New Guinea. Pre-travel testing requirements will be lifted for international arrivals to Thailand from April and there is no more quarantine required on arrival in Indonesia.
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South African sailor Robin Lavery is constantly amazed by the number of sailors he meets that are unaware of the Distance and Planning Feature on the Windy app. Check out his short video on how to use this free feature and its benefits.
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Kiwi sailors Lane and Kay Finlay recently stopped in Egypt on their way north to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean. This report on their experiences checking in and out of Port Ghalib provides useful information and a word of caution for those following in their wake.
Spanish circumnavigators Olivia and Carlos of SY Prati share their experience after deciding to leave their boat in Mauritius for cyclone season.
Phuket Island is one of Thailand’s most popular cruising destinations. Now that it has re-opened, regular Noonsite contributor Anthony Swanston gives an update on cruising here.
After spending months cruising around the Mediterranean doing the “Schengen shuffle”, British cruisers Claire and Peter Arnold decided to try for a Turkish Short Term Residency Permit for tourism purposes. Here they report on the procedure they went through.
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Val worked with Noonsite since its inception over 20 years ago and retired from her job as researcher and assistant Editor in 2019. Following a lengthy battle with cancer, we are very sad to report that Val passed away in late February, surrounded by her family. She will be greatly missed but fondly remembered by her Noonsite colleagues and all who were lucky enough to know her.
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Pacific:
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Uninhabited Henderson Island - one of four in the remote South Pacific Pitcairn Island chain - has been in the "wrong place" for 85 years, according to a recent visit by a Royal Navy warship.
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For those of you thinking about sailing down-under or in the South Pacific, don’t miss Island Cruising NZ’s monthly Cruise News. Owner Viki Moore not only produces an excellent read, but is also making great strides for cruising rallies around, to and from NZ. See the latest Cruise News here.
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Vuda Marina in Fiji are offering free entry and berths to Ukraine yachts, as well as running useful free webinars on cruising Fiji.
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Indian:
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OSASA in South Africa continue to work hard at streamlining the arrival procedure for international yachts after an Indian Ocean crossing, as well as easing reporting requirements while cruising the SA coast. A simplified, uniform, Port to Port Passage Plan, free and online, is close to being finalised. Download their cheat sheet for South Africa port information. OSASA also want to remind all incoming yacht crew to check their visa viability – if you arrive without one you will not be allowed into the country. More details here.
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A report from Boydu Island, midway between Dar and Mtwara in Tanzania. The SE anchorage has no sand left due to local flooding\rain. Apply extreme caution and rely on visual navigation. Our thanks to Des Cason (routing expert for this part of the world) for this information.
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Atlantic:
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Cruising boats bound for Europe and stopping over in the Azores should note that only Horta, Ponta Delgada, Praia da Vitoria and Vila do Porto can be used as ports of entry. Lajes das Flores remains closed with on-going reconstruction work following Hurricane Lorenzo, which passed over the Azores at the beginning of October 2019.
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Mediterranean:
- Whilst we are all deeply saddened by events in Ukraine and the plight of the people who live there and we are all hoping for a swift end to the conflict, cruisers should consider what impact an extended conflict may have for their own plans for this summer. Currently there are no movement restrictions within the Mediterranean, however cruisers should check with their insurance companies as cover could be withdrawn at short notice, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean region which is closer to the conflict zone. If there is a general movement of boats away from locations in Greece, Turkey and the Adriatic, then this would also impact on available dock space in ports in the Western Mediterranean.
- The same consideration should be given for summer cruising in the Eastern Baltic which covers the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the southern coast of Finland in the Gulf of Finland.
- Russian registered pleasure yachts should be aware that many countries are restricting their entry. Be sure to contact the port authorities prior to arrival to confirm you are able to enter.
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Good news for boats transiting Greece this summer. Roditis Yachting report that the Corinth Canal will re-open late June, early July, for yacht crossing and for a period of 3-4 months. Keep updated here.
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LINKS WE LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB |
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For those planning to head south soon towards the Med from Northern Europe, this masterclass by Yachting World magazine on how to handle crossing the Bay of Biscay offers some sound advice.
Long-term cruiser in Japan and owner of Konpira Consulting, this is Kirk’s 10th instalment of a multipart series on his favourite Japanese ports. Here he introduces three on the northern part of Honshu’s Sea of Japan coast.
If you are planning to stay north this summer, then Miranda Delmar-Morgan’s write-up for Yachting Monthly on a few of her favourite places to sail when cruising northern Europe between Atlantic France and the Kiel Canal will be of interest.
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This book was written by long-term sailor Susea Spray to encourage young children in their reading journey and specifically to encourage young girls to be anything they want to be. Cruising from Australia to Europe sparked the creative writer in Susea and resulted in this, her first children’s book. Written in the tradition of ‘There Once Was A Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’ and ‘One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree’, children love joining in as A Big Blue Boat takes them on an ever-growing rhyming song in this story about a boat, a girl and the rollicking frolicking sea.
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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:
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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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