The Caribbean Weather SSB Net for cruisers and other vessels in the Caribbean and the SW N Atlantic is a Public Service Net that has been operating daily since November 1993.

To improve coverage and service to sponsoring vessels, especially those in the W Caribbean and the SW N Atlantic, the Net now uses three frequencies: 8104 kHz USB at 12.30-13.00/13.15 UTC. 12362kHz USB at 13.00/13.15UTC-13.30UTC 16528kHz USB at 13.30-13.45UTC Vessels with emergency, distress, safety or other priority traffic may break into the Net at any time.

The Net handles between 5,000 and 7,500 individual check-ins per year. Based on conservative estimates there are many more just listening. A synoptic summary and area forecasts for the Caribbean are given at the beginning of the Net as well as details of any severe weather shown by the latest satellite imagery.

During the hurricane season, details are also given of the latest tropical weather outlook including the latitude and longitude co-ordinates or any tropical waves or cyclones and their predicted tracks. Only sponsoring vessels are entitled check in with the Net, which is interactive. Each sponsoring vessel checking should be prepared to provide a brief report on actual local weather conditions covering wind speed and direction, the extent and type of cloud cover, sea state and barometric pressure.

They will in turn be given forecast conditions for the specific passage underway or proposed as well as provided with other weather-routing suggestions as well as passage logging and reporting.

In addition, sponsoring vessels are entitled to give the Center's telephone number (1-284-494-7559), fax number (1-284-494-5358) or Email address (weather@caribwx.com) to relatives and friends for urgent "Call Home" messages.

The cost of becoming a sponsoring vessel is only $125 for a 12 month period.

To become a sponsoring vessel, owners should fax or Email the following details to the Caribbean Weather Center:
* Name and port of registry of the vessel
* Radio call sign
* Name and postal address (and Email address, if any) of skipper/owner
* Credit card name and number.
* Name on credit card. * Expiry date.
* Authorisation to charge the sponsorship fee.