News Archives - Page 50 of 50 - Caribbean Safety and Security Net

2011-04-232018-05-02

Email Splatter

A few of the many boats using radio email are creating a problem, which affects not only other boaters but also all users of the HF radio spectrum: governments, military forces, and many other groups in the countries that we visit. We can easily fix this problem, and we should fix it before someone else does it for us.

The problem is radio splatter. On an SSB radio it sounds a lot like a Pactor email signal, but it can be heard on all frequencies up and down the HF spectrum. Most of us have heard this in crowded harbors. It is so common that HF nets ask boaters to refrain from using email during net operations. This helps the nets but does nothing for other HF users.

Splatter is NOT inherent in radio email. Most boats using radio email do not create splatter. Some email shore stations operate multiple radios simultaneously in the same room with no splatter. The cause of splatter is over-driving the radio by setting the modem drive level too high or using the radio’s speech processor during email transmissions. Splatter can occur with other modulation types as well, but email splatter is particularly annoying and easy to recognize.

If you use radio email, you can do two simple things to prevent splatter:
– Set the modem drive level so that the radio produces no more than half its rated power during email transmissions
– Always turn off your speech processor before using email.

Half of the rated power is ample for email, which requires much less power than voice. For instance, setting the drive for 25 watts out during email, which is one-sixth of the normal (150 watts) rated power for marine SSBs, will rarely cause a failure to connect to a shore station at any time of the day or night. The Airmail software provides a simple on-screen setting for drive level. If you need help setting the drive level, ask another email user or a radio ham. This setting does not affect the radio’s power output using voice.

If you use radio email, you have an obligation to the other users who share the HF radio spectrum to prevent splatter. You also have a legal obligation. Your ship’s radio station license only authorizes you to transmit on the marine channels. Splatter occurs outside the marine bands, and it can easily be traced from the call signs embedded in email transmissions. Fixing the splatter takes much less time than responding to a citation.

2010-04-232017-02-08

Kick ‘em Jenny Underwater Volcano

Kick ‘em Jenny is a submarine volcano located about 5 miles or 8km north of Grenada at 12.18 degrees North and 61.38 degrees West. The underwater volcano should not be confused with the island known as Kick ‘em Jenny or Diamond Rock, just a mile to the northeast of the volcano. The last eruption of Kick ‘em Jenny occurred in December 2001. At that time, vulcanologist carefully monitored the activity, using equipment installed both at the volcano itself and in the town of Sauters, on the north coast of Grenada. kick'emjenny copy

During a research expedition in March 2003, scientists from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Unit, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of Rhode Island discovered three craters (C1, C2 and Kick ’em Jack) and two domes (D1 and D2) near Kick ’em Jenny. Further investigations are needed to confirm whether these are separate ‘live’ volcanoes. The Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West Indies is the agency responsible for monitoring earthquakes and volcanoes for the English-speaking islands of the Eastern Caribbean as well as the Dutch islands of Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Martin.

Submarine volcanoes release large quantities of gas bubbles into the water, even in quiet times between eruptions. This can lower the density of the seawater above the vent. This is very dangerous to shipping, because boats entering a zone of lowered water density will lose buoyancy and may sink. For this reason scientists at the Seismic Research Unit, in collaboration with the government of Grenada, have instituted a 1-mile/1.5km exclusion zone around the summit of the volcano for pleasure craft and non-commercial traffic. The volcano is currently at a yellow alert level. If the alert level goes to orange or red, the exclusion zone will extend out to 3-miles/5 km from the summit of the volcano.

For further information, go to Kick ’em Jenny

2010-04-232017-05-25

MONTSERRAT

The Soufrière Hills Volcano began erupting on July 18, 1995. The Montserrt Volcano Observatory was established soon afterwards to monitor volcanic activity and provide impartial advice to the civil authorities. Yachts are warned that there is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern parts of the island, extending 2.5 miles or 4 km off shore from the old airport (16.77 degrees north, 62.17 west) to Old Road Bluff (16.75 degrees north, 62.24 degrees west), although this exclusion zone changes, based on current volcano activity. Yachts are also cautioned that ash cloud can inflict severe damage to sails, decks, cockpit canvas and windows, and to air intake filters. The prudent mariner will pass far to the west (some say as many as fifteen miles) or to the east, depending on the prevailing winds.

Visitors to the island and those passing by are advised to tune to ZJB Radio 88.3 or 95.5 FM for up-to-date information on the volcano. Further information, including history and photos can be found at MONTSERRAT

2010-01-012018-04-21

Passage Precautions

PASSAGE PRECAUTIONS

In view of the December 2009 robbery and assault of the yacht enroute from Trinidad to Grenada (details of which are on the Southern Windwards link from ISLAND REPORTS), and the various reports of similar incidents in the same area and in Venezuelan waters over the past several years, there are some very specific precautions which cruisers can take to avoid or minimize attempts against them.

The Trinidad Coast Guard advises that pirogues are active from the south coast of Grenada and moving out to the north and east of Tobago to move marijuana to Toco at the northeast corner of Trinidad. The pirogues are active around the gas drilling rigs as these are used as landmarks for boats without navigation equipment. However, the pirogues range all over the area, from the north coast of Venezuela to Tobago and to the south coast of Grenada.

Efforts to interdict drugs are underway in this area and cruisers should be aware of the potential for running into smugglers and / or authorities who may mistake their innocent activities for something criminal. The area off the northeast coast of Trinidad is patrolled for fisheries protection and drug interdiction activities. These patrol vessels are often unmarked and the crew may not be in uniform, so it is difficult for the cruiser to determine their intentions.

Please bear in mind that there has been only one incident reported on the Trinidad/Grenada route, although there have been four additional reports of attempts (unsuccessful) in the past two years. In view of the large numbers of yachts which make this passage each year, the chances of a piracy attempt are very small but those who do sail this route should take every possible precaution. There are two gas drilling platforms in the area: Hibiscus at 11-08.8N 61.39.0W and Poinsettia at 11-13.9N 61-31.4W. Both monitor VHF 16 and have, in the past relayed calls to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.

These tips are taken from notes from cruisers and from the precautions page on this website and in some cases, the suggestions are in contradiction with each other: each vessel should make individual choices.

Think about a response plan before it is needed, with the emphasis on scaring away intruders (and this is certainly appropriate for yachts at anchor as well as those underway). THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PREPARATION A CRUISER CAN MAKE. Think about evasive maneuvers, first aid kit for possible injuries, response to fire aboard (e.g. gas cans hit by gunfire), where is the crew to shelter, can / should any further resistance to boarding be made (flare guns, sprays, etc.), how to initiate a distress call, use of lights and flares, and communication with other vessels and/or law enforcement authorities.
Consider traveling in a group, maintaining VHF or SSB contact on a regular schedule throughout the trip. Use a VHF channel other than 16 for group check-ins, but monitor both that channel and channel 16.
Since all the reports of boardings and attempted boardings have occurred during the day, travel at night. Some have suggested that you travel with no lights; however, that has its own inherent dangers. Your RADAR is of little use to detect these pirogues as they are usually wooden boats and will not show up on RADAR.
Sail as far east of the rhum line as possible, away from the locations of the previous reports, although that route means there are fewer other vessels to come to your aid if you need help.
Don’t discuss your departure plans (time and destination) with strangers on shore. Don’t describe your yacht to strangers: current location, name, number of people on board, whether or not you are armed.
Separate and hide valuables in multiple unpredictable areas on board, including passports and boat papers. Hide a copy of passports and boat papers in a different spot. If possible, hide a spare GPS and handheld VHF radio. Maintain a list of serial numbers of all equipment, keep it up to date when you add new equipment, and hide a copy of that list.
Make two copies of the contents of all wallets: credit cards (both sides), licenses, etc. Send one copy to a contact and home and hide one copy along with the copy of the passports. Be sure to have telephone numbers for the credit card companies to report a loss from abroad.
Check the Caribbean Safety and Security Net website regularly, both for additional security tips as well as reports of piracy or attempted piracy against other yachts, and learn lessons from how others have handled a piracy situation.
If your yacht is approached by a suspicious vessel, immediately activate DSC on your VHF and begin transmitting on VHF 16 and SSB 2182 that you feel you are in danger. Call out your yacht name and your location repeatedly until you get a response. If you are traveling in a group, one of those yachts will hear you, and if you are traveling alone, it is possible that another vessel in the area will hear you and come to assist. If you have DSC activated, that signal will extend a great distance.
Always remember, neither your yacht nor your possessions are worth serious injuries or worse. But you must consider that anyone willing to randomly fire at your vessel may not leave you unharmed if they are allowed to board. You must consider how and whether, and be prepared, to provide resistance to boarders as you determine to be appropriate.

The Grenada Coast Guard and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard have discussed between themselves what support they can offer and have suggested that each yacht making this passage file a float plan as follows:

File a float plan with the Coast Guard prior to departure – they need to know boat name, number of persons on board, brief description (monohull/catamaran, color, size), estimated departure date & time, estimated arrival date & time. The departure Coast Guard will alert their counterparts at your destination so they know to expect you.
Contact the Coast Guard at the destination upon arrival. If you decide not to stop or have to abandon your passage and turn back, please do contact the Coast Guard as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary concern and search operations. The arrival Coast Guard will alert their counterparts that the yacht has arrived.
Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard – by phone at 868 634 1476 or email to ttcgops@gmail.com
Grenada Coast Guard – visit the coast guard base in Prickly Bay or call them at 473 444 1931/2 (email capabilities are being investigated)
If no contact within 24 hours of estimated time of arrival, attempts will be made to contact yacht, first by VHF in area harbors then with aircraft.

The Caribbean Safety and Security Net welcomes additional suggestions: email to svsecondm@aol.com or use the CONTACT US page on this website.