Moving out
by Noonsite 29 Nov 2021 12:46 AEDT
Pacific cyclone season kicked off at the start of this month © Noonsite
The PACIFIC cyclone season kicked off at the start of this month meaning many cruisers in the Pacific islands have been moving out, a slightly easier task than last year with more options now open.
Jörg Domann reports on his late August passage from Fiji to Indonesia. NZ boats are returning home for the summer, made easier by the recently reduced isolation period on arrival and several yachts have had success with application for an exemption to enter Australia on Humanitarian Grounds (Cyclone Season Relief). Others are choosing to go west, to Guam and on to Japan, which has seen a vast pumice field plague its southern shores following an underwater volcanic eruption.
A number of boats want to go to Chile for the austral summer season, however the recent opening to air travelers does not extend to maritime borders which remain closed. In general passage through the Chilean canals to move between the Atlantic and Pacific is granted with the caveat that crew do not go ashore in populated areas. That said, at least one yacht en-route to Antarctica has managed to gain entry at Puerto Williams following engine trouble while they undergo repairs.
The ATLANTIC hurricane season ends on 30 November and already large groups of boats are on their way to the Caribbean to escape the northern hemisphere winter. ARC+, with 67 boats taking part, left the Canaries on 7 November bound for Cape Verdes and on to Grenada and the ARC, with over 141 boats, departed on the 21st bound for St. Lucia.
Yachts planning to cross the Atlantic from the Canaries may be anxious about the effect of the on-going volcanic eruption in La Palma, situated in the NW of the archipelago, however weather router Chris Tibbs told Noonsite; "apart from not wanting to be close downwind of the volcano I do not think it will have a large effect on navigation. If anything, it would encourage me to go on a more southerly route to avoid being downwind of the volcano but I do not think that it will affect the trade winds."
?Since the start of November groups of cruising boats have been leaving US shores for the Bahamas and all points south. Any boat departing from the US should be aware that a growing number of Caribbean countries are now asking for exit clearance papers from your last port. These are not automatically granted on leaving the US so be sure to request an exit zarpe from CBP before departure to avoid being denied entry at your Caribbean island of choice.
In South Africa, arrivals from the INDIAN OCEAN have been increasing throughout November, with some 90+ foreign boats making landfall in Richards Bay since September and another 20+ expected before year end.
Jenny Crickmore-Thompson of OSASA told Noonsite; "It has been interesting watching the change: many more yachts are crossing to Tanzania as Madagascar is closed, then running down the Mozambique Channel in one jump. There are more catamarans this season, more families with young children, more solo sailors, including skipper Yann Quenet with Baluchon (his 4m home-built boat with no engine, powered by sail and a sculling oar). Yann left Brittany some 2 and half years ago and sculled into Richards Bay this month, much to the consternation of our local rescue services, the NSRI, who thought he needed rescuing! Brave folk, all welcomed warmly to South Africa."
OSASA have been actively streamlining the arrival systems with the help and assistance of the South African government Maritime services. Yacht SeaScape report this month on clearance procedures in Mozambique compared to South Africa, demonstrating just how straightforward clearing into South Africa has become thanks to OSASA.
Yachts on passage to South Africa should tread carefully if stopping in Mozambique. OSASA recommend transiting north well offshore on route to Richards Bay without stopping if at all possible. Some boats are using Bazaruto for shelter, but this needs to be used with caution and only on current advice. As with Ilha de Mozambique, stopping there for a short time to avoid weather has been possible, but must not be seen as a viable entry into Mozambique. There are no officials there, only construction workers building a resort. Check the WhatsApp group Sail to South Africa 2022 and Indian Ocean Passage Facebook Group for regular up to date information on the situation.
This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com.