NEW NET FOR TRANSATLANTIC SAILORS

This past spring, the Seven Seas Cruising Association (ssca.org) launched the Transatlantic Cruisers Net to provide those crossing the Atlantic with check-ins, weather information from Marine Weather Center’s Chris Parker (mwxc.com) and communication assistance during emergencies. This net will be operational during the spring crossing season and pick up again in late fall when boats sail west to the United States and Caribbean.

Four Federal Communications Commission coastal high-frequency radio stations collaborated to form the new Transatlantic Cruisers Net: Chris Parker on WCY in Lakeland, Florida, representing the Marine Weather Center; Glenn Tuttle on KPK in Punta Gorda, Florida, representing SSCA; Dick Giddings on KNC in Dover, North Carolina, representing the Cruiseheimers and Doo Dah nets; and Jim West on KJM in Ellijay, Georgia, representing Maritime Mobile Service Net.

The purpose of the Transatlantic Cruisers Net is to listen for any emergency or priority traffic, to pass marine safety information and to assist any vessel with land-based services, such as radio checks, float plans, telephone contact with family and friends, boat-to-boat relays, access to medical or mechanical professionals, or calls to marinas. All members of this net are experienced in communicating with the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center in Miami. Tuttle is also an active member of the USCG Auxiliary as a high-frequency telecommunications operator.

The Transatlantic Radio Net utilizes SSB frequency 12.350 at 2130 UTC (1730 Eastern Time) and will immediately precede Chris Parker’s scheduled weather broadcast on frequencies 8.137 USB and 12.350 USB at 2200 UTC. For more information, including more details on net times and frequencies, visit cruisingworld .com/1808net.

Glenn Tuttle, of KPK, Dick Giddings, of KNC, and several other coastal stations are collaborating to help cruisers.