Transatlantic Support for All Cruisers in 2020
The season for crossing back from the Caribbean to Europe is almost upon us, however, this is no normal Transatlantic season and yachts undertaking this passage have more than the standard set of challenges ahead of them. The good news is that the support network available to Transatlantic sailors has widened considerably this year with a number of cruising organisations opening up their services to non-members at this challenging time.
Published 4 years ago
All the below support networks are open to all transatlantic cruisers, irrespective of cruising association membership or flag.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION (SSCA)
https://www.ssca.org/
SSCA Trans-Atlantic Radio Net:
Open to all, the purpose of the SSCA Net is to pass emergency and priority traffic, as well as traffic related to safety and security particularly for vessels making long ocean passages. This net can assist with radio checks, float plans, telephone contact with family & friends, boat to boat relays, access to medical or mechanical professionals, Internet searches, or any other assistance that is needed.
SSB Net Schedule:
8104 kHz at 1215 UTC
8152 at 1700 Eastern Time (Doo Dah/SSCA Trans-Atlantic Cruisers’ Net).
Then when the Doo Dah Net/SSCA TACN concludes (usually 10-15 minutes) all net controllers and relay stations will switch to frequency 12.350 to pick up the vessels farther out at sea.
The net will precede Chris Parker”s Marine Weather Center (www.mwxc.com) weather report at 1800 hrs. Eastern Time on 12.350.
Net Controllers:
- Glenn Tuttle, Coastal Station KPK, Punta Gorda, FL
- Chris Parker, Coastal Station WCY, Lakeland, FL
- Jim West, Coastal Station KJM, Ellijay, GA
- Dick Giddings, Coastal Station, KNC, Dover, NC
Vessels participating in the Net must have:
- A Float Plan, which can be found at this link (http://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/download/USCGFloatPlan.pdf).
- An alternate means of communication should the SSB propagation be poor or you are having radio issues. This alternate means of communication must have the ability to send and receive E-mail or text messages via a satellite device, such as an Iridium Go, Inmarsat, Garmin In Reach, or even a SPOT, although the SPOT devices are usually unreliable in far reaching areas due to the use of the Globalstar Satellite system which has less coverage area.
If you comply with these terms, and agree to do your best to check in every day (e-mail check in permitted also), SSCA will be glad to accept your Float Plan. Send to [email protected].
The Net does not send or share this information with the Coast Guard unless there is some type of emergency on your vessel. If nothing is heard from you for two days in a row, it will be assumed you are in trouble and SSCA will notify your family as well as the appropriate Search & Rescue Authorities. SSCA will keep your float plan but your primary emergency contact should be a close friend or family member who is familiar with your boat and cruising plans. They should also have a copy of your float plan. SSCA can not be your primary emergency contact.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
OCEAN CRUISING CLUB (OCC)
https://oceancruisingclub.org/
OCC Atlantic Crossing West to East Facebook Group:
The OCC has opened its Atlantic Crossing West to East Facebook Group to non-members who have boats in the Caribbean or east coast of North America.
Any non-OCC members who would like to take part should click ‘Join’ and will be asked three questions to verify their intentions.
Group members are sharing offshore contact information which will be used for emergency contact to nearby vessels (outside VHF range) and to provide critical updates of changes to port access etc. The group is also an excellent way to hear news from boats ahead of you, share concerns and find crew.
In addition, PredictWind have offered to sponsor free tracking for the duration of the crossing across this group. This will provide visibility of latest reported positions that can be accessed online, or in the PredictWind Offshore App, even over a satellite connection. Further details from the fleet coordinator when you join the group.
Please note that this group is solely for cruisers who are facing the very real problems of having their boats at risk with the western Atlantic and Caribbean hurricane season on the horizon.
Contact: [email protected]
OCC Atlantic Crossing SSB Net:
SSB Net Schedule:
8161 kHz at 2300 UTC (Alternate 6227kHz, 12350kHz)
Please check in with boat name, position, weather
Net Controllers:
- Steve Kerswill s/v Innamorata II
- Tim Corner s/v Rohkea
- Richard Kingsnorth s/v Zwailer
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
TRANS-OCEAN (TO)
https://www.trans-ocean.org/
Trans-Ocean Rolling Home Team 2020:
Trans-Ocean have established a team of volunteers offering free support for all German-speaking yachts returning to Northern Europe (non-members as well). Support will include accurate information on transit harbors along the route, in-port assistance, second weather opinion and an SSB Net.
Current transit ports are Bermuda, Azores, Falmouth and/or BREST, Den Helder and Cuxhaven. Based on feedback more ports may be added.
The support language is German as they are currently working primarily with boats from Austria, Switzerland and Germany, however support is open to any boat whatever the flag.
Trans-Ocean recommend transiting alone, or in small groups, so as not to over-stress the transit harbors more than necessary.
To find out more and how to register TO have produced an explanatory document in German which can be downloaded here (file size: 281 KB).
Contact: [email protected]
Trans-Ocean SSB Net:
SSB Net Schedule:
14313 kHz at 08:00 and 16:30 UTC
The SSB Net is done in German and provided by Intermar, a German club of volunteer radio network operators. (www.intermar-ev.de)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
CRUISING ASSOCIATION (CA)
https://www.theca.org.uk/
The CA have a list of countries in Europe and the Mediterranean with details of their current status during the COVID-19 health emergency.
This can be found at Covid-19 Restrictions on Cruising.
Contact: [email protected]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
NOONSITE
Covid19 Special Procedures Being Introduced in Ports of Entry Worldwide
We continue to update our list of countries worldwide that have closed down to visiting yachts with full details in the country biosecurity section, including a list of open supply ports (if any) for boats in transit. As lockdowns are eased and ports begin to open up we will be working hard, with your feedback, to keep this list accurate and useful.
Contact: [email protected]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Useful Links:
Related to the following Cruising Resources: Atlantic Crossing, COVID-19, Cruising Information, Cruising Networks, Cruising Organisations, Routing
SSCA TRANSATLANTIC CRUISERS NET WILL RESUME OPERATION 04 MAY 2020
Although this net is sponsored by the SSCA, all vessels are welcome.
All vessels are encouraged to help with relays since we cover such a large geographical area.