Author Topic: Durban Windnet for safety!! (Read 10340 times)

dugong · « **on:** November 20, 2013, 04:00:44 PM »

Todays buster of note got me thinking

Safety should always be priority #1 when fishing offshore!!
The forcasting is getting better all the time and these days it is a lot easier to stay safer - at least it should be!!??

I am amazed at how some guys still get clubbed coming back from Umdloti in a 20kt+ SW - its not fun and depending on the size of the boat can be dangerous, all you need is for there to be a reverse current(wind over tide) and you can get into serious k*K!! - been there done that got the (wet) tshirt!!

Using Durban Windnet - http://fred.csir.co.za/windnet/a.html you can give yourself a good margin of safety when it comes to an impending SW.
The first pic is for Port Shepstone showing the SW buster hitting there at about 13:00 - the next pic shows when it hit Durban at about 14:50.
Generally you have about 2.5 - 3hrs depending on the strength - todays buster hit 40+kts!!!

Be safe guys!!!

Gregf · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2013, 04:10:18 PM »

well said and posted sir. Use it boys, it is a winner of note and has saved a few I know

REEFMAN · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2013, 07:39:40 AM »

Wow! Great post!

Toppie · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:30:18 AM »

Valuable info Dugongboy, thank you for sharing.

What would you do if caught in an unforeseen severe buster that suddenly comes through on a reverse surface current.

In aviation we have alternatives saved in the FMS for the entire route and at the destination.

Suppose if its local you will know your immediate beaching options, but at unfamiliar terrain it may be wise determining and plotting alternative practical beaching options.

dugong · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:54:26 AM »

Toppie, I have never done it but I know of a few guys that have beached half way back at Umhlanga or Glenashley, it can be a bit of a mission to get the boat but safety must be a priority. It can also get dangerous returning WITH the wind, I have been blown back from the Isipingo Cutting in my 14'6" SkiVee and really tested my sphincter muscles

things can go very wrong very quickly!!

Ziggy · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2013, 09:07:32 AM »

Maybe I am dof!

I looked at the site - and it appears to be realtime current information rather than forecasted information.

Are you saying that, before launching you check what the current conditions are in Port Shepstone are and thenwork out the likely time when those conditions are likely to hit Durban?

CLS · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2013, 09:19:12 AM »

Quote from: Ziggy on November 21, 2013, 09:07:32 AM

Maybe I am dof!

I looked at the site - and it appears to be realtime current information rather than forecasted information.

Are you saying that, before launching you check what the current conditions are in Port Shepstone are and thenwork out the likely time when those conditions are likely to hit Durban?

Thats the idea, you will know the west is coming so you can check from time to time and when it hits Sheppie you know you got 3 hours before it gets to Durban, great info Dugongboy thanks.

CLS · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2013, 09:40:58 AM »

Loaded on my phone so now I can keep a look out.

to you

dugong · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2018, 02:58:30 PM »

New site http://durbancoastlive.com

Umpa Lumpa · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2018, 09:36:33 AM »

Pitythatonenot that accurate. CSIR was cool as you could see when the buster hit South coast and know when you have to pack up.

Ziggy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2018, 12:42:23 PM »

Quote from: Umpa Lumpa on November 14, 2018, 09:36:33 AM

Pitythatonenot that accurate. CSIR was cool as you could see when the buster hit South coast and know when you have to pack up.

....and wid direction and speed was given almost minute by minute

MichaelK · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2018, 03:04:52 PM »

I recieved this email from Ursula von Saint Ange from the CSIR

Dear Mr Killeen

I feel for all the paddlers, surfers, sailors and fishermen who make use of the system.

The CSIR contract with Transnet has expired and we are working in signing a new contract for another 3-months. Hopefully the site will be up again soon. With all the red tape these days, it is taking much longer than anticipated.

Kind regards
Ursula

Ziggy · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2018, 01:04:09 PM »

I just received this email firm Ursula at the CSIR

Hi all

Good news to all you water sport enthusiasts out there.

WaveNet and WindNet are back up as from this morning. The TNPA contracting issue has been resolved.

If you still seem to get old graphs, just refresh the page(s).

Kind regards
Ursula

dugong · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2018, 01:06:33 PM »

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2018, 03:39:05 AM »

That is great news. Thanks for updating

dugong · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2018, 09:20:14 AM »

Any news on when the site will be fixed??

Ziggy · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2018, 09:31:36 AM »

Was fixed and now stuffed again... Hate it

Umpa Lumpa · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2018, 01:40:13 PM »

If you open the windnet page, the graphs don't work. But if you click on the summay page, that one is working.

http://fred.csir.co.za/windnet/index.html

Chigger · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2019, 02:41:51 PM »

Looks like its up and running again....

dugong · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2019, 10:55:10 AM »

Broken again for the last two weeks

Author Topic: Durban Windnet for safety!! (Read 10340 times)

Gregf