South Bound II VAX498 - Ship routing and weather forecasting

HIGHLIGHTS OF NET OPERATION SINCE 1987

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Herb provides a voluntary ship-routing/weather forecasting service, on marine HF/USB frequency 12359.0.USB. Alternate frequencies may be announced from time to time during the "NET" depending on and subject to propagation. Vessels are requested to pre-registered via email and then check in between 1930 and 1940 UTC providing a short description of their location on initial check-in. Herb will respond to each logged in vessel after roll call.

After establishing contact with the South Bound II NET pre -registered vessels are encouraged to check in and stay in daily contact until completion of passage. As part of the service please provide current latitude and longitude to the nearest minute when called back; also provide true wind speed and wind direction as well as other pertinent data such as rough sea state and squalls. Each checked in vessel will receive daily a four to five day route forecast including way points, as necessary, to assist in avoiding potentially unfavorable conditions.

Individual vessel forecasts are prepared in advance of airtime, utilizing and analyzing up to five numerical forecast models, incorporating other available data and products and then producing revised surface chart for detailed analysis and forecast preparation. Forecasts are provided as value added information, not as a re-broadcast of otherwise available official marine high seas forecasts.

NOTE: It is recommended that mariners on the High Seas regularly monitor marine text and voice forecasts as issued by the U.S. National Weather Service, the NHC and CFH Halifax for the Atlantic areas via Coast Guard or public broadcast stations. Computer generated facsimile charts and grib files downloaded via HF e-mail or satellite should be used with caution as they are unedited and based usually on only one model.

Primary area of coverage is the North Atlantic between the Eastern Seaboard and Europe, including the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas Islands and the Gulf of Mexico. Limited coverage is available for the South Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific subject to HF propagation. Due to time constraints and the nature of the hobby forecasts are not available via E-mail, fax or telephone except in case of an emergency. This service is intended for extended offshore passages.

============================================================================================================================ THE NOVEMBER STORM THAT BECAME TROPICAL STORM SEAN

November 4 to November 12, 2011

The attached chart shows the gale to storm field created by a Low pressure system moving off the North Carolina Coast late November 4, 2011 and tracking rapidly to near 29N, 69W by Saturday, November 5th. There it stalled, drifting a bit more SSW’ly and became Tropical Storm SEAN on November 8, which then tracked N then NE, passing just north of Bermuda.

Any yacht leaving the Newport area on November 1, had to arrive in Bermuda by late November 4, to miss the worst conditions, that is, within 3 ½ days, impossible for yachts that require 5 to 7 days under favorable conditions.

South Bound II issued warnings of the pending gale to storm developments starting November 2, and was already issuing warnings on November 1 of strong NE winds building by Friday south of the Gulf Stream, recommending that yachts making less than 150 nm/day head more easterly and approach Bermuda from the N to NE as winds would veer later from the E to SE.

A RECAP OF EVENTS (In response to an Article by Charles Doane, November 11, 2011)

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OFFICIAL STORM TRACK Courtesy U.S. NAVY

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GALE/STORM FORCE WIND CHART Prepared by Professor Dr. Peter Ponzo

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THE NET WILL NOT BE IN OPERATION BETWEEN FEBRUARY 24 AND MARCH 9, 2012

Commencing 2012 Herb will only provide the existing voluntary marine HF service to skippers of yachts who pre-register by providing advance notification via email or other means of communication, that they wish to" sign in" to the SOUTH BOUND II VAX498 NET, indicating passage dates.

In addition Herb will cease to provide weather forecasts and/or routing advice to yachts participating or joining in Organized Race Events or Cruising Rallies, except in case of any emergency.

Herb may not monitor the designated marine frequencies when there is no pre-registered or existing traffic.