Weather-beaten in US Waters? Not with WRI!

by Capt. David Hare on 28 Sep 2006 Last year, I was southbound from Sag Harbor, N.Y., to Ft. Lauderdale for the boat show. This was to be an offshore rounding of Cape Hatteras, a must as my vessel’s draft prohibited an ICW transit.

While sitting in Portsmouth, Va., awaiting a weather window, Dave Cannon of Weather Routing Inc. contacted me twice a day with emphatic 'do not go' messages. He was forecasting seas over 12 feet.

Dave, yacht operations manager and senior meteorologist with WRI, has gotten used to my go-for-it personality over the years and takes the lead in reining me in. I find it always cheaper to sit and wait for calm seas than to pay for a damaged interior.

Once conditions settled down for a cape transit, we were off. However, that passage was further altered when, off of Vero Beach, Dave e-mailed me with the news that the lowest pressure ever recorded would be over Ft. Lauderdale in five days. I immediately did a 180-degree turn and headed back north, seeking shelter 20 miles up the St. John’s River in Jacksonville at the River Front Brewery.

Over a decade ago, my search for competent weather forecasting led me to WRI. Owner Peter Wirfel has a master’s degree in meteorology and has participated in more than 50 eye penetrations while flying with NOAA into tropical cyclones. Each of his staff of 14 has degrees in advanced sciences, providing consulting on routing and forecasts for commercial fleets and private yachts.

WRI analyzes wind and sea conditions and converts them into a track for the fastest, safest course possible, taking into consideration all weather, cargo and special ship factors. For example, if your yacht can only handle a 3-foot beam sea, that is noted as a 'special ship factor' and all routing information provided will take that limitation into account.

Two days before a voyage, I always contact Dave with my location, estimated time of departure, my destination and the route I am contemplating.

Dave pours through the computer models for that sector and decides if my planned route is optimal. If not, he will provide me with his version of a safer, smoother ride or more expeditious route.

I have found that the WRI staff will constantly review all significant weather phenomena that my vessel may encounter. If the team feels that I should alter my course, they will e-mail and phone until I confirm receipt of the updated information.

Started in 1961, WRI has established a reputation as an accurate and reliable forecasting center. I feel their empathy for my crew and passengers, my life and my ship being on the line.

Even though I have the latest marine weather satellite information downloaded, I find it reassuring to receive confirmation that my intended route has the blessing of a highly trained meteorologist who is using the U.S. Navy, NOAA and other sophisticated computer models to prepare an in-depth, long-term weather forecast.

When I travel northbound on the U.S. East Coast, Dave provides the central axis of the Gulf Stream on a six-hour schedule. I find that between Ft. Lauderdale and Montauk Point, N.Y., I can arrive several hours earlier, saving significantly in diesel costs.

WRI provides this service to more than 1,500 yachts, 40 cargo companies and two cruise lines. There is no charge to set up an account; the company charges by the forecast: $55 for a verbal report, $60 for e-mails and faxes.

In addition to the personalized service on trips, WRI offers every mariner free daily tropical summaries (more often if significant changes occur). All a captain has to do is sign up at www.wriwx.com. WRI’s threat zone detection system will alert you with a warning via e-mail. WRI is usually 24 to 36 hours ahead of governmental organizations in tracking tropical systems.

After sailing into two tropical cyclones in the South Pacific before Sat phones and e-mail, I welcome the option of using a professional weather routing service. These guys have saved my neck more than once.


Click http://www.wriwx.com!here! to go to the Weather Routing Inc website

Sail-World would like to thank Captain Hare and The Triton for permission to reprint this article. You can contact David through his website at ww.sailingconsultant.com