Category: News

CSSN partner SSCA will begin operation of the Transatlantic Cruisers Net beginning 04 May at 2100 hrs. UTC or 1700 hrs. Eastern Time.

Four U.S. based FCC Coastal Maritime Stations will resume operation of the SSCA Trans-Atlantic Cruisers Net.

As last year, which we found to work out very well, we start the net in concert with the long-standing Doo Dah Net, hosted by Dick Giddings, call sign KNC, on SSB frequency 8.152. The net will transition to frequency 12.350 after about 10-15 minutes to accommodate vessels further at sea or depending on propagation.

The net controllers will be:
Chris Parker, Coastal license WCY, Lakeland, FL;
Dick Giddings, Coastal license KNC, Dover, NC;
Jim West, Coastal license KJM, Ellijay, GA;
Glenn Tuttle, Coastal license KPK, Punta Gorda, FL

The net will precede Chris Parker”s Marine Weather Center weather report at 1800 hrs. Eastern Time on 12.350.

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.

The purpose of the net is to:

Pass emergency & 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 we may be able to provide.

We are happy to take Float Plans with the following stipulations:

One thing we insist on is having a Float Plan, which you may find the PFD form at this link, AND ALSO an alternate means of communication should the SSB propagation be poor or you are having radio issues. This Float Plan will not be disseminated to the US Coast Guard unless of some emergency. Float Plans may be e-mailed to KPK@ssca.org who will disseminate them to the other net controllers.

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 inferior Globalstar Satellite system.

If you comply with these terms and agree to do your best to check in every day, we will be glad to accept your Float Plan. If we do not hear from you for two days in a row, we will assume you are in trouble and notify your family as well as the appropriate Search & Rescue Authorities.

Best Regards,
Glenn Tuttle – Net Manager
SSCA HF Radio Service KPK
Punta Gorda, FL USA
KPK@ssca.org
941-456-5070

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On February 6, 2020 yacht owners had their locked dinghy/15HP Yamaha outboard stolen in Anse de Arlet, Martinique. With help from friends the dinghy was found that night, minus the outboard.

CSSN was contacted by a cruiser in Martinique who “found” an engine under unusual, suspicious circumstances… hidden near shore in the mangroves in an area with no road access. The cruiser collected the engine and made a report to the Coast Guard and police, and CSSN. Posts were made to social media looking for the owner.

CSSN also contacted those who reported 15 HP engine thefts in 2019 in the eastern Caribbean. With the assistance of a very helpful French translator, the victims established ownership with bill of sale and warranty registration documents that matched the “found” engine. The owners and the finder/outboard were reunited in Martinique. Many thanks to those in our cruising community who helped bring about this excellent outcome.

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Six+ years after the murder of cruiser Roger Pratt while anchored aboard his yacht with his wife Margaret (injured during the tragic event) in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, the 4 men charged with the crime have been brought to trial and convicted.  Three of the four men (Deveaux, Jones, Kern), were convicted of murder, and the 4^th, (Joseph) of manslaughter.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 6, 2020.

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CSSN has updated a recent report concerning the theft of a 13FT center console dinghy/40HP outboard in Rodney Bay. The dinghy (damaged) was ultimately recovered, minus the outboard. The details are quite concerning. The victims have written a very detailed and insightful report about their experience.

The lack of any interest or effective police response remains sadly typical in St. Lucia. Local leadership and resources are required to address this persistent problem, which adversely impacts many sectors of the local economy (marine trades plus others) as well as the cruising community.

The question remains … will anyone step up, provide the necessary local leadership, define the processes and secure the resources to solve this problem in St. Lucia in a sustainable and permanent way?

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