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Introduction
Links to
equipment manufacturers may be found on the 'Specifications' and
'Equipment' pages.
This is
personal selection of some of the more interesting sailing-related
sites that we've come across. Note that we are not attempting to
produce an exhaustive list, but we do try to explain why each site is
of value.
[ If you're looking for a simple, more
exhaustive listing, try the UK Sailing
Index.]
Meteorology
UK Met Office - the obvious one! OK for getting forecats,
including
the Shipping & Inshore forecasts for the next 24 hours. If
you're
looking for anything more than 24 hours hence then you will need to pay!
NOAA Synoptic Charts
- The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency publishes lots
of
data, including a whole range of forecast charts that are faxed to them
daily.
Forecast synoptic charts from the UK Met Office for up to 5 days hence
may
be found on this page (scroll down to the MSLP entries).
Interactive Marine
Observations
(UK) - an interesting site which shows the latest
observations
from automatic weather stations around the UK coast.
Satellite Images - there
are several sites presenting current and archive satellite imagery,
both
from the infra-red and visible spectra. I've chosen those
available
from Nottingham University since both Annie and I are alumni of said
institution.
Navigation
NMEA Home Page - for full details of the NMEA0183 data interface i.e.
how
to interpret NMEA sentences. Useful if you are wondering why two
pieces
of electronics aren't talking to each other, or are just interested in
understanding
the technical background.
GPS Status Pages- all the latest
from
'the horse's mouth': the U.S. Coastguard Navigation Centre, including
expected
service interruptions, latest Government policy on S.A., and a tool to
predict
satellite visibilty from any location at any time (check it against
your
receiver!)
Larry's Garin
GPS
Connector - want to link your PC or palmtop to a Garmin GPS to
download
data / upload waypoints and routes? Then you'll need one of these.
GMDSS- the Maritime
and Coastguard
Agencies' guidelines on GMDSS for small boat users in European waters.
UK Hydrographic Office - the source of
all
marine cartographic data for the UK, and I still think their charts are
the
best.
Tide
Times - for the next 14 days for a range of UK and Irish
ports. courtesy of IPC magazines. Very useful if you want to do a
quick bit
of planning from your home/office. [NB I am not suggesting that
your
mind might wander towards planning your next cruise sail whilst you're
at
work!]
Chichester Harbour
-
come and explore the delights of Chichester; miles of coastline
enclosed
within a well protected harbour whose entrance is just 6 miles east of
Portsmouth.
The only significant harbour on the south coast of England without any
commercial
traffic.
National
&
International Organisations
International Maritime Organisation - check
out the SOLAS convention for yourself, or just become more familiar
with
what this body actually does.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency -
the
current incarnation of H.M. Coastguard and the Marine Safety Agency.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
- to quote: "If you sail, you should join Offshore." How
can you disagree?
Royal Yachting Association
Trinity House - check
out
how you can visit a lighthouse, or just enjoy the pictures.
Sailing
Schools
& Charter
Southern
Sailing / Cornish Cruising
- we've taken several courses with John Goode's Southern
Sailing School;
all excellent and most enjoyable. More recently we learned a
little
more about sailing gaffers with their sister company, Cornish Cruising.
Tenrag Charters - we were
pretty
impressed with their service some years ago. These days they
cover
most imaginable destinations.
Jubilee Sailing Trust - have
no
personal experience of their voyages, but surely a most worthwhile
organisation.
Maritime
Tradition
Old Gaffers Association
- their mission is to further the cause of gaff rig,
whether
on a hundred year old classic or a plastic gaffer like Chione. (Their Web site is a useful
introduction
- providing you can stand the page background!)
National Maritime Museum - including
the Royal Greenwich Observatory. As well as giving the obvious
details
about the place, there is intercative access to details of many of
their
exhibits.
Sea Shanties
- struggling to remember the lyrics of that old sea
shanty?
Well take the finger out of your ear, and check this site.
(Includes
songs from the US, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Canada and France, as
well
as the UK.)
Patrick O'Brian -
the late author's page on his publisher's Web site. Contains a
pretty
comprehensive set of links to other Jack Aubrey / Stephen Maturin
sources.
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