Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

Ocean outlook: Caribbean, Atlantic and Mediterranean

by Noonsite 26 Dec 2022 04:49 EST
Caribbean Sea © Noonsite

Caribbean Sea:

Caribbean Compass, the free monthly online boating publication for everything Caribbean, came under new ownership this month. Sally Erdle and Tom Hopman launched the magazine in 1995 after a five-and-a-half-year circumnavigation and have passed the helm to fellow sailors and media professionals Dan and Kelly Merton. The magazine now has a Facebook page and is on Instagram. Their December issue has many good articles including a useful report on Sailing to the Caribbean in the Fall.

Caribbean Compass have passed on the good news that following an upsurge in yacht break-ins in St. Vincent and the Grenadines the Coast Guard have now increased patrols on land and sea and improved police presence at yacht facilities in the islands.

Joe Karpinski, SSCA host in Antigua, reports that those onboard private yachts are still being asked to show Covid vaccination documentation when clearing into the country (even though all restrictions were lifted in August 2022 for air passengers).

In Bonaire fees are increasing as of January 1st, 2023. The daily mooring buoy fee of US$10 will be increased to $35 (with no services included). Add to this the $75 entry fee per person, plus the $40 nature fee per person, and Bonaire just got way more expensive.

Keep a look out for fishing debris when cruising in the Caribbean Sea. A Panama Posse 63' motor yacht on passage from Port Antonio, Jamaica for Boca Chica DR, became entangled in a massive bunch of fishing line just after rounding Cabo Beata recently.

Watch out when eating ashore in Tobago Cays, SVG, and ordering a beach BBQ experience this festive season. Whilst it's the perfect way to enjoy this beautiful place as the sun goes down, be sure to agree costs beforehand as cruisers warn you might get stung with highly inflated costs, particularly for lobster.

Cruisers in Trinidad have been assisting with clean-up and rescue operations following severe flooding at the end of November. Flash floods and landslides have also affected Tobago.

More Noonsite Ambassadors have shared their cruising experiences, this time fossil-free yacht Ya who report from Cartagena, Colombia and Bocas del Toro, Panama - both very different places but memorable.

Remember, that as of next month (January 1st, 2023), Panama tolls for small vessels will increase and will continue to do so for the next three years.

Atlantic:

A useful reminder for any non-US boats planning on cruising the coast of the USA, as reported by UK yacht SY Shimshal. Domestic reporting to CBP is still required, even after clearing-in and obtaining a Cruising License/permit.

On the other side of the Atlantic, GTOA will shortly launch an App for the transfer of cetacean sighting data, making reporting easier as public participation in the orca citizen science program increases. The work of GTOA and their involvement with the Atlantic Orca is well explained by John Burbeck of the CA Orca Project Group at the bottom of this report.

Brazilian circumnavigator Silvio Ramos, who organises the BRally Amazon, is also planning a northbound "sail together" for foreign yachts wishing to visit Brazil in 2023. Commencing in Ubatuba, the fleet will stop at São Paulo on their way to the Amazon Region, stopping and participating in sailing events along the way.

Mediterranean:

Marmaris Bay Cruisers website, run by the vibrant and friendly cruiser Gwen Bylund, has served the Marmaris and Turkish cruising communities for nine years. However, times have changed and readers have moved on to other methods of communication, so this month the site is being retired. Thank you Gwen, for your years of great service to the cruising community.

Winter Cruising in the Med just got easier as Tunisia health authorities have finally lifted all Covid-related entry restrictions this month.

If cruising to the Mediterranean through the European Canal network appeals, winter time is when to do your research. See Noonsite's Guide to the inland waterways of Europe and Yachting Monthly's useful article on how to prepare you boat and crew.

This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com

Related Articles

Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais - Practice Day
Will Platoon Aviation's big breeze, big pressure experience prove key to their fourth world title? Of the three past and present world championship winning crews which completed their final practice today in typically muscular 25 knot breezes and big waves out of Cascais, Portugal it was Harm Müller-Spreer's Platoon Aviation which showed best today. Posted on 1 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted on 1 Jul
LA28 sailing venue decision driven by politicians
The LA28 Olympic "dinghy" events will be sailed alongside a working container port. The decision to stage the Los Angeles "dinghy" events alongside a working container port appears to have been a determination by local politicians. Posted on 1 Jul
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros day 3
The return of Super X Day 3 at the FPT Paros 2025 was a slower one - with a lay day with no wind anticipated and a late skippers meeting at 13:00 to assess the conditions, there wasn't much initially filling up the schedule. Posted on 1 Jul
Bill Guilfoyle on the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race
Bill Guilfoyle discusses the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race When it comes to offshore sailing in the United States, the biennial Transpacific Yacht Race reigns supreme for its distance and promise of off-the-breeze sailing angles. Posted on 1 Jul
McIntyre Mini Globe Leg 2 update
The Mad Bastard may be right! When the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race set off—the first solo, non-stop circumnavigation—many thought it impossible. But one sailor proved them wrong: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, sailing his beloved Suhaili! Posted on 1 Jul
Packing for a Summer Sailing Weekend
Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time, particularly when you're out on the water. The day may start windless, with a little dew on the ground, but a sea breeze can pick up in the afternoon. Posted on 1 Jul
Young Sailors Invited to the 2025 Fireball Worlds
A special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants for the event at Lake Garda Circolo Vela Arco and Fireball International are inviting young sailors from around the world to take part in the 2025 Fireball World Championship at spectacular Lake Garda, with a special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants. Posted on 1 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted on 1 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D1
Sunday's storm winds cleared to deliver ideal conditions for the opening race day Sunday's storm winds cleared to deliver ideal conditions for the opening race day of the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, official championship stages of the World Match Racing Tour and Women's World Match Racing Tour. Posted on 1 Jul
Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px BOTTOMRooster 2025V-DRY-X