Updates

Windward Islands

SPECIAL UPDATE 

The Caribbean Caricom countries have signed onto a protocol called API. It seems likely we have now escaped the consequences of this bureaucratic nightmare for this year. But keep current here

Click to post your own updates or read others

You can download the waypoints given in this guide from our GPS page. The names of the waypoints are given in the new guide on the sketch charts.

If entering St. Lucia you can try the new electronic system
eSEAclear.com

February 2010 - The Caribbean is having the worst drought I have seen since I arrived in 1969. The use of water for washing down is likely to be restricted and in some places you may have a problem getting water. This is likely to continue till the rainy season which could come as late as July.

UPDATES TO 2009/10 GUIDE 

GRENADA
Grenada’s Beausejour  to  Moliniere Marine park up and running.

There are no charges in this marine park on the west coast of Grenada, but some moorings are available.  You have to attach your line (and leave plenty of scope) to these moorings. Please observe the following, Priority is given to local commercial vessels (dive and charter boats), who often use them between 0930 and 1630. There is almost no commercial traffic after 1630 so you are welcome to use them for overnight. If you are staying during the day, you are welcome to take one if it is not in use, but if it is the last one and a day charter boat arrives please get off till another becomes free. 

All the moorings are in ecologically sensitive areas and very close to coral reefs, which is great for snorkeling. Please observe the following: throw nothing off the boat. Do not use bleach or copious detergent, or pump your bilge or other such activities while in the park.  If possible do not pump your head while in the park. If you have to do so, throw any toilet paper in the garbage, do not pump it out where it can litter the reef.

The moorings are as follows: 4 in Flamingo Bay close to the reef on the south side. 2 In Dragons Bay, 5 on Moliniere Point near the the underwater sculpture park. One in Grand Mal north side of the bay.

Scuba Tech in Prickly Bay is now being run by Sabine and Jochen Lenz and Carsten Andres. They are pleasant and helpful and offer Nitorox at no extra charge, as well as a free introduction to scuba.

LINZEE'S LOUNGE This new very cute little garden hangout is right behind Spice Island Marine haulout at the beginning of the dusty highway. For those working on the hard it is a special find as it serves breakfast from 0700. But it is also a great place for a drink, a hamburger or snack at any other time of day, just the place to get away.

Tara island off Mt Hartman bay seems to have almost disappeared.

CARRIACOU

Hi Chris,

We visited Off the Hook bar and grill just across the water from Sandy Island, Cariacou. Great place. The owner, Curtis, said he just missed getting into the guide this year. This place is a must visit if you're in Cariacou. For the people anchored in Tyrell Bay it is about a 15 minute walk or Curtis will come pick you up. There's some pics and more info on our blog - scottsuesailaway.blogspot.com

Scott Welt  s/v Enee Marie

I went and had a meal there, the view is spectacular, Curtis is also a haridresser and quite happy to cut your hair on the beach. Chris

PETITE MARTINIQUE

Petite Martinique. Palm Beach Restaurant has now put a mooring for the use of dinner visitors in front of their restaurant. Note also in the guide we mention poor holding. The holding is much better if you anchor to the east of both docks.

UNION ISLAND
The two southern most beacons on Newlands Reef have lost their tops including the lights. The green beacon off the coastguard dock is leaning over and may not last too long. That one lost its top a long time ago.

From: Addison Gooding S/V Koana
I want to add a recommendation for Jennifer's Restaurant, located near the bottom of the hill leading out of Clifton towards Ashton.  She serves some of the nicest tasting local food at very economical prices that I have found in the Grenadines.  In addition the serving is simply "huge."

BEQUIA

The Bequia Marina dock that was destroyed, has now been rebuilt and is back to normal.

Wallace and company, the fishing and chandlery shop has moved next door to the Port Hole in Port Elizabeth. This is a bigger and better location. It is where the Salty Dog is marked on our map (P.255). For what happened to Salty Dog see below.

The Salty Dog has moved to a new and very beautiful location on the top of a small hill overlooking the harbor. The road is right opposite the power station. This is the same place where we mention Brook's Hideaway (p.262). A new addition to this group is Ocean Live Drive Thru (473-3272). Here you can buy fast food for takeaway, or you can sit and eat it there in a pleasant roofed enclosure.

MUSTIQUE

Mustique Moorings has raised it's mooring fee. to $200 EC for yachts up to 70 feet, $300 EC for yachts 71-85 feet, $400 for yachts 86-100 feet and $500 over 100 feet. This fee gives you up to three nights. 

ST LUCIA

IGY have done a fabulous job of pulling the new marina together over the last 10 months. Everything is operating and running will with tons of dock space and many improvements. To get to the dinghy dock, come between the superyacht docks and the regular docks and the dinghy dock is close to the marina building.

I have an updated web address for Razmataz Restaurant here

the butcher mentioned on page 161 "Meat your Needs" has closed.

Hi Chris,

Firstly I would like to thank you very much for giving us cruisers the chance to post comments and feedback, your guide to the Windward Island is excellent, informative and often entertaining too.

I have a couple of comments/warnings that I think would benefit fellow cruisers sailing in St Lucia having just come back from a week out.  Here they are:

1) Pigeon Island Anchorage

I think a warning that the Pigeon Island anchorage can be much more windy than the Southern side of Rodney Bay should be in the guide.  This may be obvious since the causeway is low lying but reminders are always useful.

My wife and I were anchored there on Friday 24th.  Overnight we had winds (from NE) up to 28 knots that made the anchorage a little uncomfortable but by all means tenable, holding there is excellent, our yacht in the morning had not moved an inch (having layed scope of 6:1).  In the morning we moved to the anchorage opposite Reduit Beach and talking to a yacht crew we were told that on that side of the bay had been windy but more like 18-20 knots. 

2) Soufriere  Fisheries Fuel Dock

There should be a warning in the guide to use this dock with extreme caution as swell and wash push in, there are no breakwaters and a yacht can be badly damaged on the concrete dock.

We needed to fill up with water, checked on the guide where this was available in Soufriere and as suggested we approached the Fisheries dock.  A nasty swell of near 0.5 meter started pushing in just before we threw our lines to the attendants (a bunch of local kids aged 10-12) and we decided to abort.  If by then we were tied up our yacht would have been smashing against the dock and certainly been damaged.  Also depth near the dock is only 2.3 meters so any yacht above 40ft should avoid using this water and fuel station.  Assessing a situation and deciding whether to approach a dock or not is part of basic seamanship but reminders are appreciated.

I hope my comments will be useful to other yachtsmen that cruise these waters.

Best Regards

Simone Agrelli

PS (My name is Simone but I am a guy…..Italian version of Simon) April 2009

ST VINCENT

Chateuabelair is still a problem. We say this in our current guide, but in case anyone may think all is now OK I post this:

MARTINIQUE

The Bakoua Marina, fuel dock and restaurant was destroyed by a swell. Rebuilding time is uncertain. You can still get fuel and water on this side of Martinique at the Baie de Tourelles fuel dock (DCML).

Hi,

Just wanted to provide an update for you on internet cafes in Fort de France. We found a nice little spot called CyberPalnet. It is located on Rue Moreau de Jonnes just east of the pedestrian area on Rue de la Republique. It is upstairs and has a flagged balcony area that overlooks these two streets.

  Like many internet cafes, they provide the service at no charge if you are eating or drinking on a regular basis (one coke over three hours is NOT enough). The charge per hour is $2 Euros between 0800 – 1100; 1500 – 1800, and $3 Euros between 1100 – 1500.

  They also offer pizza, sandwiches and kebabs at reasonable prices.

  They may be reached on 0596-64-90-72. email is cyberpalnet@gmail.com.

Susan & Mike ,  www.TabbyCat.us 

Make a note of this one as I hear the internet station I mention just down the road from Sea Services was destroyed by rioting and looting strikers. Chris  

From Mike: Don’t rely on being able to clear at l’Escapade in St Pierre, Martinique right now. They are closed August 1^st to the 31^st

^{Apparently you can now clear in Grand Anse D"arlet, from Compass:}

Internet café: Le P’ti Bateau, Grande Anse D’Arlet, Martinique. Open for good coffee in the morning, and then all the way to cocktails in the evening, with fast internet connection and no hassle to buy more food or drinks. It’s the place for Customs check-out, too.

Diginav has opened a large and fancy new retail store on the first floor of Marin marina.

New email addresse for Sea Services:

seaservices972@orange.fr 

visitors since Aug 03