Latest News
USA: US Coast Guard plans to terminate NAVTEX
Date Published - September 21, 2019
The US Coast Guard may cease broadcasting of NAVTEX (Navigational Telex) but only after it is available on IMO recognized satellite services…. Read More
20 September 2019: 500th Anniversary of the First Circumnavigation
Date Published - September 20, 2019
On the 20th September 1519 Ferdinand Magellan set sail from the Spanish port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda with a fleet of 5 ships, the Armada de Molucca, in a quest to sail westwards to the Spice Islands. The expedition ended on 6 September 1522, when the only surviving ship, the… Read More
Vanuatu, Efate, Havannah: All Vessels Currently Banned from this Harbor
Date Published - September 17, 2019
All vessels are currently banned from entering Havannah Harbor, on the NW of Vanuatu Island, and all surrounding islands due to an infestation of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. The Vanuatu Government have issued a State of Emergency and vessels will be turned away…. Read More
The Season for Lightning Superbolts is Approaching
Date Published - September 17, 2019
After a nine year survey, the University of Washington have published a paper demonstrating how superbolts are most common in the Mediterranean Sea, the northeast Atlantic and over the Andes, with lesser hotspots east of Japan, in the tropical oceans and off the tip of South Africa. Unlike regular… Read More
Singapore: New Port of Entry slated for Raffles Marina
Date Published - September 16, 2019
Raffles Marina on the west side of Singapore is being considered as a new Port of Entry for yachts arriving at this island nation…. Read More
Panama Canal: Toll Increase Approved as of 1st of January 2020
Date Published - September 12, 2019
After seven years of no increase and a public consultation period that ended on July 15th, Panama’s Cabinet Council have approved the modified Panama Canal tolls, which will see rates double for small craft from 1st of January 2020…. Read More
ARC Youth Team: 2019 Crew Announcement
Date Published - September 11, 2019
World Cruising Club are delighted to reveal the twelve crew members who have been selected to sail on board the ARC Youth Team yacht as part of the 2019 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. … Read More
Jeanne Socrates sails into the record books again!
Date Published - September 11, 2019
The Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) is pleased to announce that member Jeanne Socrates has sailed into Victoria BC harbour on 7th September after successfully completing another single-handed unassisted nonstop circumnavigation. … Read More
Hurricane Dorian Leaves a Trail of Destruction in the Northern Bahamas
Date Published - September 06, 2019
Rescuers are now able to reach areas of the northern Bahamas that were devastated by Hurricane Dorian leaving the islands with severe flooding and widespread damage. … Read More
World Cruising Club eNews: Southampton Boat Show Edition
Date Published - September 06, 2019
The Southampton Boat Show, UK, takes place from 13-22 September 2019 in the heart of the city. Here is a round-up of World Cruising Club activities at the show…. Read More
Tonga and Fiji: The Importance of Advance Notice of Arrival
Date Published - September 05, 2019
Advance Notice of Arrival (ANOA) is an important tool in stopping illegal activity in all countries. Customs in Tonga and Fiji require that all visiting yachts submit ANOA and if they do not risk heavy fines. Make sure you are familiar with the entry requirements for the countries you are… Read More
Hurricane Dorian Makes Landfall in the Bahamas
Date Published - September 04, 2019
Update posted September 4, 2019: Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas at Elbow Cay, Abacos on September 1st as a category 5 hurricane. The “strongest hurricane in modern record for the northwest Bahamas” according to the National Hurricane Center…. Read More
World Cruising Club eNews: USA Boat Show Edition
Date Published - September 03, 2019
The US Sailboat Show takes place from October 10-14, in Annapolis MD. World Cruising Club will be there – find out what activities they are offering at the show…. Read More
New Zealand: New Requirements for Travellers Who Do Not Require a Visa to Enter NZ
Date Published - September 03, 2019
New Zealand immigration requires that all visitors eligible to enter NZ without a visa obtain a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) prior to arrival…. Read More
Hurricane Dorian Strengthens as it Heads for Florida
Date Published - August 29, 2019
Hurricane Dorian, the 2nd hurricane this season, has already passed over a number of Caribbean countries that were seriously affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Advanced precautions were taken to limit the amount of damage this time around and thankfully most islands have escaped relatively unscathed…. Read More
New Zealand, Auckland: Tornado Rips Through Marina
Date Published - August 23, 2019
More than 50 boats were damaged at a marina in Auckland, New Zealand when a tornado struck without warning during a violent thunderstorm on August 12.
… Read More
South Pacific, Tonga to Fiji: Navigation Alert - Dangerous Slick of Volcanic Rubble
Date Published - August 20, 2019
A large field of volcanic rocks (Pumice) completely covering the ocean surface has been reported between Vava’u in Northern Tonga and Fiji. Cruisers encountering the pumice field have reported to Noonsite that the pumice appears to cover the surface of the ocean to a depth of about 15 centimeters…. Read More
The Bahamas: Increased Cruising Permit Rates from 2020
Date Published - August 17, 2019
If planning on cruising the Bahamas for more than three months next year, prices are about to go up. The Bahamas government have announced new rates for longer-term cruising permits as of 1 January 2020 based on the size of vessel and length of stay…. Read More
Ocean Cruising Club Challenge Grant: Now Accepting Applications
Date Published - August 15, 2019
The Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) has established a Challenge Grant to encourage ambitious expeditions for environmental conservation or challenging oceangoing adventures and is now accepting applications for the 2020 season. The OCC Challenge Grant programme consists of two categories, the Conservation/ Environmental Grant and the Adventure Grant. … Read More
South Pacific, Niue: Australian Catamaran Runs Aground on East Coast
Date Published - August 10, 2019
In recent weeks the Niue Police Search and Rescue vessel “SAR1” has been deployed a number of times to assist yachts in trouble as they approach Niue. At the end of July both land-based and sea rescue teams kicked into action when an Australian catamaran ran aground on the eastern… Read More
Atlantic Hurricane Activity: Could we see an increase now El Nino has ended?
Date Published - August 08, 2019
August 8, 2019 – NOAA announced today that the current El Nino in the Pacific Ocean has ended and neutral conditions have returned. This now increases the possibility of above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year.
… Read More
Egypt, Port Said: Significant Reduction in Clearance Fees for Southbound Transits of the Suez Canal
Date Published - August 02, 2019
After a dramatic increase in clearance fees at Port Said for yachts wanting to transit the Suez Canal southbound in May 2018, authorities have now brought fees down to a more acceptable level from August 1st. Although not as reasonable as they were prior to May 2018, this does see… Read More
Atlantic Spain and Portugal: The Indispensable Cruising Guide for this Varied Coastline
Date Published - July 29, 2019
The Imray Cruising Guide for Atlantic Spain and Portugal has now been updated for the 8th time by the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation. Bob Earlie of the Irish Cruising Club has this review…. Read More
International Boat Watch Network: New Management and Facebook Group
Date Published - July 25, 2019
Glenn and Eddie Tuttle, co-ordinators for the SSCA KPK Net and Cruisers Network Online, have taken over the management of the International Boat Watch Network from Bobby Graves. This group is dedicated to assisting Search and Rescue Authorities in locating overdue and missing vessels worldwide and now has a new… Read More
Portrait of a Cruiser: Dog Chloe from SY Mojito
Date Published - July 24, 2019
For a new spin on our ‘Portrait of a Cruiser’ series, this month we are profiling a four-legged crew member. Labrador mix, Chloe, has just spent 18 months visiting 13 countries. At almost 12 years old she has proved to her owners Tim Goodyear and Jules Buckley that you can… Read More
