Many yachts bound NE from the Caribbean

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AIS shows a distinct flow of yachts NE from the Caribbean, seemingly bound for Western Europe - Portugal/Spain. Is that normal migration of yachts or is there a Covid 19 flush of yachts back home? ARC cruisers maybe?
 
Was gonna do a similar thread! Yeah its quite clear on Marine Traffic, isnt it. And thats just the ones with AIS.

But in answer to question, yes its actually normal for the time of year. The big migration has started and usually runs through until about late June. All driven by Hurricane Season and Insurance.

The big 'if' this season is of course, doombug. Looks like a large number of people have decided heading back is the lesser of two evils. I wonder what will happen on arrival in the Azores and the Peninsular?

Heard from a friend of ours who left last week. She is skipper of a big Oyster. Currently booked in in the Azores, but unsure of details. Onward passage to Barcelona.

Be interesting to hear from anyone who has arrived in Azores recently?
 
We were looking at a Tuesday departure from Carriacou but the weather window has closed. Headwinds now predicted next week. I dont fancy bashing in to 2.2m seas and 17kts on the nose so early in the trip. We will sit tight for the next window.
Boats have already arrived in the Azores. They wont clear you in. You can get fuel and provisions but cant go ashore. The lockdown there is up for review on May 2nd so we will see what new rules are soon.
 
Thanks for that. I saw a couple of boats anchored in the harbour at Horta and wondered if that was the case.

Of course things might change over the next month, but I somehow doubt it. I had a west east trip planned but Ive binned it until next year.

Tough choices though for cruisers this season. Good luck!
 
geem said:
We were looking at a Tuesday departure from Carriacou but the weather window has closed. Headwinds now predicted next week. I dont fancy bashing in to 2.2m seas and 17kts on the nose so early in the trip. We will sit tight for the next window.
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What, not even in your super-seaworthy and comfortable yacht? :oops: :oops:

Sorry, couldn't resist the underhand dig after the tussle about boat characteristics on an earlier thread. You are of course perfectly sensible to avoid avoidable bad weather. As a sea-sick prone wimp, you certainly wouldn't find me setting of into those sort of seas nowadays.
Best of luck with the voyage when you do get going.
 
Resolution said:
What, not even in your super-seaworthy and comfortable yacht? :oops: :oops:

Sorry, couldn't resist the underhand dig after the tussle about boat characteristics on an earlier thread. You are of course perfectly sensible to avoid avoidable bad weather. As a sea-sick prone wimp, you certainly wouldn't find me setting of into those sort of seas nowadays.
Best of luck with the voyage when you do get going.
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geem said:
Its not an issue of being a wimp. Its always good in my experience of you can start a long journey with good weather in the first few days. It allows you to bed in to the trip, get used to a new sleep deprived pattern and night watches. There is just my wife and I onboard. She is prone to sea sickness for the first few days of a passage. We cant control the weather or know what it will do beyond a forecast period so we know we will likely have to deal with some unpleasant weather but no point is looking for it at the start.
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Yes, people were stuck so I know of at least one who has decided to come home this way rather than risk Hurricane season. It's a long voyage and I don't envy them.

I also know a couple of yachts who were lucky enough to get a space on a yacht transport ship out of Antigua that should arrive in Southampton at the end of May.
 
jonic said:
Yes, people were stuck so I know of at least one who has decided to come home this way rather than risk Hurricane season. It's a long voyage and I don't envy them.

I also know a couple of yachts who were lucky enough to get a space on a yacht transport ship out of Antigua that should arrive in Southampton at the end of May.
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Did they manage to get a flight home? One of the problems here is the only flights out seem to be sorted by American embassy doing charter flights for people prepared to pay. There is one about to leave for Puerto Rico. From there they have to sort flight back to US. There are no flights to the UK from here or anywhere else. If you dont sail home you dont get home ?
 
geem said:
Did they manage to get a flight home? One of the problems here is the only flights out seem to be sorted by American embassy doing charter flights for people prepared to pay. There is one about to leave for Puerto Rico. From there they have to sort flight back to US. There are no flights to the UK from here or anywhere else. If you dont sail home you dont get home ?
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Yes, BA laid on a flight from Antigua back to the UK but it was a couple of weeks ago.
 
geem said:
We were looking at a Tuesday departure from Carriacou but the weather window has closed. Headwinds now predicted next week. I dont fancy bashing in to 2.2m seas and 17kts on the nose so early in the trip. We will sit tight for the next window.
Boats have already arrived in the Azores. They wont clear you in. You can get fuel and provisions but cant go ashore. The lockdown there is up for review on May 2nd so we will see what new rules are soon.
Click to expand...
I'm sure we all wish you a safe sail back over the Europe.
Stay safe
 
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