SHIP-ROUTING and
WEATHER FORECASTING for Vessels on the HIGH SEAS
Herb Hilgenberg - "SOUTH BOUND II" (VAX498)
FREQUENCY:
Marine HF/SSB 12359.0 (Alternates 8294.0 & 12359.0)
TIME: Begins @2000UTC
THIS IS THE BEST
WEATHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THE ATLANTIC &
CARIBBEAN.
From Herb's web-site:
"South Bound II", Herb, provides a daily ship-routing/weather forecasting
service, as a hobby, on
marine HF/SSB frequency 12359.0, starting at 2000 UTC until 2200 UTC or until completion of traffic.
8294.0 and 16531.0 are used as alternate frequencies as announced from time to time, subject to propagation.
Vessels are welcome to check in between 1940 and 2000 UTC, and should then stand by, until contacted again once their area gets covered.
New check-ins should provide a short description of their location on checking in for the first time.
At 2000 UTC, Herb will acknowledge all readable check-ins.
Once on the South Bound II log, stations are encouraged to check in and stay in contact daily, until completion of
passage. As part of the
service each vessel is requested to provide
current latitude and longitude to the nearest minute, when called back; also to provide true
wind speed and
wind direction, the barometric pressure, sea state and other pertinent data, such as sky conditions/squalls. Each vessel will receive daily, an extended four to five day
route forecast, including way points, if necessary, to assist in avoiding potentially unfavorable conditions.
Individual vessel forecasts are prepared in advance of air time, utilizing and editing numerical
forecast models and other available data and products.
Forecasts are provided as value added information, not as a copy or duplication of otherwise available or published offshore/high seas forecasts.
NOTE: It is recommended that mariners on the High Seas regularly
monitor official marine forecasts as issued by the U.S. National Weather Service, CFH
Halifax, Bracknell-UK, and other official governmental forecast centers on published frequencies.
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 the event of lack of propagation for a logged on vessel, or in case of an
emergency.
This service is intended for extended
offshore passages.
Regards,
Gord May