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Radio Fax Weather Sources for South Pacific
I should add a standard comment -- that you look at charts other than NOAA/NIMA and BA. Most seafaring countries have charting agencies -- the major ones chart the whole world, the minor ones only their own waters. Good comment! FWIW, I think you'll want French charts for FP and New Caledonia, New Zealand charts for NZ and Tonga (also "Western" Samoa and the Cooks). You'll need to mix Fijian and BA charts for Fiji. Most NOAA/NIMA/DMA charts may be copied legally and copies are okay, but outside of the American territories are often very, very out of date. For places like Vanuatu and the Solomons that's no big deal as there aren't any nav aids or any better charts available, for FP and even Tonga and Fiji the US charts do not show the current nav aids. Also, get the sailing instructions (US pubs 120, 125 & 127 I think, but look it up). They too are out of date, but a lot of the cruising guides are based on them anyway and they are full of great information. Most of the charts you will be using are not corrected (and may not be correctable) to wgs84. Avoid gps assisted groundings by using good light and eyeball piloting! Any good chart agent will be able to get any of these charts for you (I use Pacific Map Center in Honolulu). BA charts are the same price the world around (expensive!), NZ and Fijian charts are about $16 us bucks depending on exchange rates in NZ or Fiji (more here). It is generally hard to get charts in the islands, so buy them before you make landfall. US planning charts are a bargin. Pilot charts are of pretty limited use in this age of weather fax and e-mail. For parts of Tonga and FP the Moorings charter company prints very good cruising guides and charts. Cheers, -- Tom. |
#12
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Radio Fax Weather Sources for South Pacific
I found the USA weather fax from Pt Reyes useful for a few hundred miles. Then Honolulu until I got to Papette see. It was not always easy to receive faxes but I relied on the twice daily verbal weather broadcast from WWV time at Honolulu http://www.blackcatsystems.com/radio/fax.html#SCHEDULES After that I got faxes from Australia IMO, from the Cooks to Fiji to New Zealand the New Zealand met service faxes are the best. The Honolulu faxes are very bad, but the only game untill you get to about 15S. I do like the cloud picture they draw and the sat picture for the North Eastern South Pacific, other wise they are trash. The AVN based grib files should also be treated with a good deal of caution in the south pacific. English voice weather can be had from NOAA, Fiji, and New Zealand (maritime radio) on HF, but faxes are better. Cheers, -- Tom. |
#13
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Radio Fax Weather Sources for South Pacific
For a long voyage like Use to Australia.
The number of charts needed is enormous. and if originals are purchased the total cost is in the $1000s. I used Bellingham reproductions supplied in portfolios for each area. and had no trouble. see Bellingham at http://www.tidesend.com/index.htm Barry "Jim Woodward" wrote in message om... I should add a standard comment -- that you look at charts other than NOAA/NIMA and BA. Most seafaring countries have charting agencies -- the major ones chart the whole world, the minor ones only their own waters. In particular here, the SHOM (French) charts of French Polynesia are much more recent and offer much more comprehensive coverage than either NIMA or BA. AFAIK the only USA stocking agent is Captains Nautical, in Seattle http://www.captainsnautical.com/ You will also want to look at Fiji and New Zealand charts. Jim Woodward www.mvFintry.com "Geoffrey W. Schultz" wrote in message 04.17... This winter I'll be headed through the Canal and off to French Polynesia and then to New Zealand for hurricane season. I'm not sure what sources I'll have for radio weather faxes. Who transmits what and on what frequencies/times/etc? Are their web sites that I can preview what I can see what they're transmitting? Thanks, Geoff |
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