Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - December 2020

— Continued from previous page
The Copper and Lumber Historic Inn will be open and is offering a daily lunch service
from its restaurant. Whenever you decide to go, be sure to get a day, week, month,
season, or an annual pass as a local or visitor.
CHRIS DOYLE
The Coconut Telegraph is also used for check-ins with safety or security issues, your
location or underway position, requests to contact other cruisers, and general
questions and advice.
In cooperation with SSB station KPK, the Coconut net controller will check in on that
net at 8:15. KPK operates daily as part of the SSCA and the Caribbean Safety and
Security Net on 8.104mHz. KPK handles traffic from all the Caribbean.
More and more cruisers have access to cell phones, WiFi, sat phones, and local
VHF nets and may consider SSB an outdated communication method. Not true! SSB
is alive and well and serves many useful purposes, especially as most other methods
have restricted coverage or capabilities. No, you will not be able to “surf the net”
but getting international news, weather reports and GRIB files, sending and receive
e-mail, and the having ability to communicate long distances with multiple cruisers
for free makes SSB more than a hobby. In times of emergency, you can always
count on SSB to get you connected to the proper authorities. At those times you
may even use the expanded HAM frequencies and nets without the need of a
HAM license.
We can always use volunteer net controllers, so if you would like to be one just call
in and you can volunteer for one day a week.
Curaçao: a Best Caribbean Dive Destination for 2021
As Divenewswire reported recently, with nearly 6,000 divers “weighing in” for the 28th
Annual Scuba Diving Magazine’s Reader Choice Awards, Curaçao was once again
named as one of the Best Overall Caribbean and Atlantic Dive Destinations for 2021.
See http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/NPATourFeesTables.pdf
for more information.
DECEMBER 2020 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 6
SSB Coconut Telegraph Has Resumed
Bill & Maureen Woodroffe report: The SSB radio Coconut Telegraph resumed its
cruisers’ net last month. The Coconut Telegraph net operates at 8:00am AST (-4GMT)
on 4.060 mHz and covers the Eastern Caribbean island chain. The net operates six
days a week: Monday through Saturday.
Its main objective is to share active cruiser information in real time and
communicate between cruisers. It is a controlled net, and all are invited to join in
— no need to be a member of any sailing or cruising organization. It is a great way
to keep in touch with your fellow cruisers and sailors.
In this time of Covid-19, island entry requirements change almost daily. Get firsthand,
real time info from fellow cruisers on other islands before you go! Find out
what is open, what is restricted and the general conditions of the ports
and anchorages.
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The Renaissance Marina, located in the heart of
Oranjestad is part of the Renaissance Aruba Resort and
Casino and can accommodate more than 50 yachts.
Located at 12° 31' 2.3124'' N 70° 2' 16.8'' W, Renaissance
Marina is the island‘s most beautiful marina. It stretches over much
of this picturesque waterfront community combining the largest
entertainment and shopping facility in Aruba with the natural
beauty of the Marina.
The marina supplies fresh running water and
110/220/360V 60Hz electricity, satellite TV with security
guards on duty 24 hours a day. For your convenience
there are showers and ice machines available.
Contact us by phone at +297 588-0260
or visit our website: www.renaissancemarina.com
Operating Hours: Mon - Sat, from 8am to 6pm