SHIP-ROUTING and WEATHER FORECASTING
For  Vessels on the  HIGH SEAS
                                                             FIXED HF MARINE LAND STATION VAX498

                                                                                        Herb Hilgenberg  PEng    VE3LML,  ex  VP9LM
HIGHLIGHTS OF NET OPERATION SINCE 1987





<!-- Start of StatCounter Code for Default Guide -->
<script type="text/javascript">
var sc_project=4561857;
var sc_invisible=1;
var sc_security="7150283a";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter.js"></script>
<noscript><div class="statcounter"><a title="tumblr
counter" href="http://statcounter.com/tumblr/"
target="_blank"><img class="statcounter"
src="http://c.statcounter.com/4561857/0/7150283a/1/"
alt="tumblr counter"></a></div></noscript>
<!-- End of StatCounter Code for Default Guide -->
               




NET  PROCEDURE
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. At present 22162.0 or 16528.0 appear to provide better propagation to the Caribbean.
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.
AREA OF COVERAGE

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.
    NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTSThe will be closed between August 7 and August 29, 2012


=============================================================================================================================
                                                          MORE  INFORMATION ABOUT HERB
Invitation  to:   US NAVY METEOROLOGY CENTER
Invitation  to:   NASS  U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
    Interview by:    US COAST GUARD, RCC NORFOLK
TV Interview:  ABC WORLD NEWS WITH PETER JENNINGS
  E-mail      to     hehilgen@sympatico.ca
                     HAVE A GOOD WATCH
                            
                            Herb Hilgenberg
                     5468 Hixon Ave, Burlington, 
                      Ontario, Canada, L7L 3S2
                                                                (SOUTH  BOUND II COASTAL)
============================================================================================================================ 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)



Updated: March 31, 2012
OFFICIAL STORM TRACK    Courtesy  U.S. NAVY

  

<!-- Start of StatCounter Code for Default Guide -->
<script type="text/javascript">
var sc_project=4561857;
var sc_invisible=1;
var sc_security="7150283a";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter.js"></script>
<noscript><div class="statcounter"><a title="tumblr
counter" href="http://statcounter.com/tumblr/"
target="_blank"><img class="statcounter"
src="http://c.statcounter.com/4561857/0/7150283a/1/"
alt="tumblr counter"></a></div></noscript>
<!-- End of StatCounter Code for Default Guide -->

SINCE 1987
GALE/STORM FORCE WIND CHART      Prepared by Professor Dr. Peter Ponzo


<!-- Start of StatCounter Code for Default Guide -->
<script type="text/javascript">
var sc_project=4561857;
var sc_invisible=1;
var sc_security="7150283a";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter.js"></script>
<noscript><div class="statcounter"><a title="web counter"
href="http://statcounter.com/" target="_blank"><img
class="statcounter"
src="http://c.statcounter.com/4561857/0/7150283a/1/"
alt="web counter"></a></div></noscript>
<!-- End of StatCounter Code for Default Guide -->






OPERATIONS CENTER
BACKGROUND -BIO