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It might soon be time for a revision of Pilot Charts. NatGeo tells us:

Europe and North America may soon experience chillier temperatures, thanks to natural North Atlantic variations that could temporarily mask the effects of human-driven, or anthropogenic, climate change.

“We believe that ocean currents and systems could, in the short term, change global warming patterns and even mean temperatures,” said Noel Keenlyside of the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences in Kiel, Germany.

Keenlyside explained that since record keeping began in the 19th century, the North Atlantic climate has changed in natural cycles that last a decade or more.

These shifts are likely associated, at least in part, with natural variations in ocean currents.

Read the full article HERE.

The following happen so close to gCaptain Headquarters here in Morro Bay California that our CEO called from his ship to make sure the building was secure and relatives were safe. The future gCaptain was a little close for comfort but all ended well.

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Morro Bay isn’t a friendly inlet so our hats off to the guardsmen on duty that day. Give us a call (805-456-8644) and we’ll walk down some free gCaptain t-shirts for you guys.

More video from Station Morro Bay can be found HERE.

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As a young cadet cadet excited about an approaching storm the C/M told me something Ifind myself repeating; “You can tell the green hands from the old salts by their reaction to an approaching storm. The newbie will say ‘This is going to be fun’ while the old salt is thinking ‘Shit, not another’.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) is requesting comments relating to the importance of accurate and timely marine weather analyses to shipboard operations. Staffers at the center are especially interested in how this information is used to avoid damage, injury or loss of life. Equally important are comments associated with the use of this information to enhance vessel efficiencies (timely ETAs, reduced fuel consumption, etc.). It would also be helpful if comments include how the situation today has improved in these areas, as compared with a decade ago (1990s).

All comments should be submitted to David Feit, Chief of the Ocean Forecast Branch, via e-mail at David.Feit@noaa.gov. Comments may also be mailed to David Feit, Ocean Prediction Center; National Weather Service; 5200 Auth Road, Room 410; Camp Springs, MD 20746

by Øystein Ellingsen

Shipspotter VOX tells us: The Norwegian car ferry Bergensfjord was enroute Bergen - Hanstholm early last week when she enouctered 8 meter waves. 2 trailers were overturned.

Did you send a AMVER / SEAS report to NOAA and are unsure if they received it? Head over to NOAA’s VOS Observations Received Table and search down the list for your call sign. If a mistake was detected you’ll see the word FAILED stamped in big red letters if not click “Observation” next to your ship to read your report.

Looking for more information like ship plots and weather buoy data? Visit the weather section of our Tools/Links section for all the links you need:

gCaptain’s Tools/Links | Weather [Continue Reading →]

Robin Storm points us to this photo of this spectacular waterspout off New Zealand’s Kapiti Coast. Be sure to check out the photo slideshow and article and stay tuned for Robin’s upcoming Severe Weather segment on our podcast.

Here is video via Stuff.nz:

 

 Waterspout - Twister At Sea [1:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here is some video of the cruise ship Voyager battling the 2005 cyclone Valentina off the coast of Majorca. The full story: LINK

USCG Press Release 7 Feb 2008:

Last April the Coast Guard asked for public comment on the need to continue broadcasting high frequency (HF) high seas weather forecasts for single sideband voice, facsimile charts and text messages over radiotelex (e.g. HF NAVTEX). The Coast Guard required public comment because the infrastructure necessary to provide these services had exceeded its life expectancy and significant costs were involved to continue these services.

After reviewing and analyzing the substantial public response that overwhelmingly urged the continuation of these services, the Coast Guard’s “business case study” concluded that it was necessary to continue HF weather broadcasts. The business case study, “An Impact Assessment of Discontinuing USCG High-Frequency Radio Broadcasts of NWS Marine Weather Forecasts” is posted at: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/high_frequency/HF-WX_notice.htm

The study concluded:
“The responding public collectively perceives that the USCG HF broadcasts are essential to their safety. There is no viable alternative to the USCG HF broadcasts because present alternatives are perceived by the public to be out of financial reach. Also, marine weather forecasts available through these alternative sources may not guarantee the same level of accuracy, timeliness, and/or sufficiency as provided by the USCG HF broadcasts.”

While the Coast Guard does not have funds necessary to replace all of its HF transmitters, funds are available to replace the 20 transmitters used for weather broadcasts.

gCaptain appreciates the letters sent after highlighting this issue in May.

The BBC Tells us;

A cargo ship captain who was seriously injured in a force 10 gale off the Isles of Scilly is in hospital after being rescued by helicopter.

The aircraft lifted six other people from the ship 70 miles off Land’s End. Two of them had less serious injuries.

The three are believed to have been hurt when a giant wave hit the vessel and the cargo shifted.

Rescue attempts had to be abandoned overnight because of the extreme weather conditions and darkness.

After Saturday’s successful mission, Chief Petty Officer Dave Rigg said: “We pitched up on scene. I got lowered down on to the deck, went in, assessed the three casualties first.

“They were all fairly stable so whilst I was doing that I called for my colleague from the Ambulance Service.

“He then assisted me getting them into the stretcher - we then got the casualties into the aircraft and made our way back.” Continue Reading…

Related Links: In Pictures - M/V Riverdance

 

 Ship Rescue [2:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download