Gale force Westerly winds, rain and rough seas with large waves observed between Cape Agulhas and Mossel Bay expected to spread towards East London later.
Mossel Bay: 08h55 Wind increased in strength in the past 5 minutes. 52 km/h gust recorded at 08h57 SAST. Holiday makers advised to take action now if you live in tents in the Western Cape, Southern Cape and Eastern Cape. Secure your tents and take down your cazeebo's. Wind damage a real possibility!
Small boat seafarers stay off the sea and spend the next few days on land. Real stormy weather with rain in areas. Keep safe!
Showing posts with label high waves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high waves. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 January 2013
Monday, 31 December 2012
Real Time Observation Report: Heavy Swell West Coast
From the West Coast I can report, visually that is, that the sea is very "choppy" with quite a number of "white horses". A steady SSW wind is adding to the choppiness. The swell is not so big as yesterday, but the ride will be bumpy, splashy and to my mind very wet. The boats already out to sea was quite spectacular with their seaward runs, sometimes disappearing completely in the spray. As I have said the swell is not as high as yesterday but it is not an even swell due to the choppiness.
If you are not an old hand on the West Coast, rather enjoy the last day of 2012 on dry land...
- Marcel Upfold, Vredenburg
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Real Time Observation Report: Heavy Swell West Coast
Image: SAWDOS (Large swell in the Mossel Bay area.)
Marcel Upfold SAWDOS Observer writes:
I have seen some swells in my time at sea, but at this stage the West Coast is really upset with life. The Snoek boats going to sea just disappear in the troughs, and they are not small bathtubs at that.
The swell has really picked up since yesterday although the sea is not so foamy this morning it is still very unhappy and unsettled.
What interested me most is that there was a spring tide on the 28th but the neap tide, which should have been quite low, was in fact higher than the high tide on the half-moon cycle. The spring tide was/is just awesome.
There are a number of whales in the area between Yzerfontein and Dassen Island. They seem to be just submerged and I have now seen two boats pass them totally oblivious of the danger they offer for a boat....
The "poor" inlanders don't understand the force of the sea during full-moon and they can easily land themselves in deep trouble. What is it with these people taking on the sea at this time with a "day-boat" and NO LIFE JACKETS at that... Eish
SAWDOS: Marcel thanks so much for your observation in this regard. Seafarers should take note of these conditions especially those who are visitors to certain areas. SAWDOS would advise visitors to avoid the sea for the next few days until the swell settled. If you unfamiliar with the area you visit rather stay on land and be safe. If you do go out to sea wear those life jackets all the time!!
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Photos: Weather Observation: Mossel Bay (28 December 2012)
Images: SAWDOS (Click on images for larger view.)
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Wave crashing over the pier in Richards Bay. (31 October 2012)
Published on Oct 31, 2012 by SAWDOS1
Video by Mike Maree (Richard's Bay)
SAWDOS: Eish that Toyota will never be the same again....saltwater??
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Knysna: Naval visit disrupted by weather
KNYSNA NEWS - For the first time since the Navy began supporting the annual Knysna Festival 29 years ago, a Naval vessel was unable to lie at Thesen's Jetty on Thesen's Island during the Oyster Festival.
Huge swells of over 5m caused breakers on the outer and inner bars at the treacherous Knysna Heads on Tuesday, July 10. Task group commander Charl Maritz was on the NSRI boat Colourpress Rescuer in the Heads, studying the swell pattern, while captain of the vessel Lt Commander Eddie Nyathi was on board SAS Umzimkulu just beyond the breakers.
Ultimately the two commanders and the NSRI pilots agreed that it would not be possible to make an entry, and the vessel retired to Mossel Bay to lie at anchor.
On Wednesday, July 11 the same events were repeated and since the forecast of the swell for Thursday, July 12 was the same, it was decided to leave the ship at anchor for the day. The task group commander and the NSRI formed a plan of action for Friday, July 13 as the forecast swell was down from 5.5m to 3.8m and with an attempted entry at high tide around noon, there would be time to evaluate conditions in daylight to decide whether or not to call the ship to Knysna.
Unfortunately the director of Fleet Force Preparation in Simon's Town vetoed the plan, and SAS Umzimkulu continued to lie at anchor.
In order not to disappoint the citizens of Knysna by abandoning the parade by the Navy before the mayor of Knyna on Saturday, the crew from the ship were brought to Knysna from Mossel Bay by bus. The world famous South African Navy Band had arrived in Knysna on Friday, and were ready for the parade. However, pouring rain caused the venue for the parade to be moved to 'Plan B', the top floor of the Thesen's Harbour Town car park.
The parade, consisting of one Naval division and one division of Sea Cadets, took place before the mayor and the admiral. The mayor welcomed the admiral and the Navy, and spoke of the long-existing bonds of affection between the Navy and the town. She thanked him for the Navy's presence in support of the festival.
He in turn assured her of the Navy's enthusiastic support of the town of Knysna, and said that he hoped that a visit by the ship could be made at a later date in order that the work to be carried out at the Crèches could be undertaken. The South African Police Band then entertained the persons present with a spirited performance.
The Sea Cadets Anniversary Parade, celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the opening of the base by the then chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral LJ Woodburne, then took place at the same venue. Rear Admiral BH Teuteberg undertook the inspection and took the salute at the march past. The Cadets then presented a display of precision drill which the Naval personnel present found to be very impressive.
The parades were followed by a finger lunch of wonderful platters and cold chicken, supplied by Pick 'n Pay Knysna. The Cadet unit made wine, tea and coffee available, and Mitchell's Brewery supplied Foresters lagers. The Naval contingent and invited guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and there was enough for the cadets to also enjoy some food.
A highlight of the annual Pick 'n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is the concert by the South African Navy Senior Staff Band at the Knysna Quays Harbour Square on the last Sunday of the festival. It is an event looked forward to with great enthusiasm by the people of Knysna, and is presented by Peter Meese for the Waterfront Management Company. This year a tent was erected over the area for bad weather protection, but the storm made holes in the tent which would have allowed raindrops to fall on the band and their equipment.
On the Sunday morning the wind was an icy blast which would have made 90 minutes of sitting very uncomfortable, and rain was forecast to begin during the scheduled concert. The director of the Navy Band, Commander Ken Leibrandt, decided that he was unable to proceed with the concert at the Quays.
The 'plan B' venue was The Nedbank Pavillion on the Knysna High School Fields, but it was flooded, so the concert was called off in total. The festival is due to take place in the middle of the school holidays next year, so hopefully the Knysna High School Hall will be available as a 'plan B' venue for 2013. The packed lunches for the band, prepared by Café Mario and sponsored by Peter Meese, were distributed to the Dorothy Broster Children's Home in Khayalethu and were greatly appreciated.
- Knysna/Plett Herald
Huge swells of over 5m caused breakers on the outer and inner bars at the treacherous Knysna Heads on Tuesday, July 10. Task group commander Charl Maritz was on the NSRI boat Colourpress Rescuer in the Heads, studying the swell pattern, while captain of the vessel Lt Commander Eddie Nyathi was on board SAS Umzimkulu just beyond the breakers.
Ultimately the two commanders and the NSRI pilots agreed that it would not be possible to make an entry, and the vessel retired to Mossel Bay to lie at anchor.
On Wednesday, July 11 the same events were repeated and since the forecast of the swell for Thursday, July 12 was the same, it was decided to leave the ship at anchor for the day. The task group commander and the NSRI formed a plan of action for Friday, July 13 as the forecast swell was down from 5.5m to 3.8m and with an attempted entry at high tide around noon, there would be time to evaluate conditions in daylight to decide whether or not to call the ship to Knysna.
Unfortunately the director of Fleet Force Preparation in Simon's Town vetoed the plan, and SAS Umzimkulu continued to lie at anchor.
In order not to disappoint the citizens of Knysna by abandoning the parade by the Navy before the mayor of Knyna on Saturday, the crew from the ship were brought to Knysna from Mossel Bay by bus. The world famous South African Navy Band had arrived in Knysna on Friday, and were ready for the parade. However, pouring rain caused the venue for the parade to be moved to 'Plan B', the top floor of the Thesen's Harbour Town car park.
The parade, consisting of one Naval division and one division of Sea Cadets, took place before the mayor and the admiral. The mayor welcomed the admiral and the Navy, and spoke of the long-existing bonds of affection between the Navy and the town. She thanked him for the Navy's presence in support of the festival.
He in turn assured her of the Navy's enthusiastic support of the town of Knysna, and said that he hoped that a visit by the ship could be made at a later date in order that the work to be carried out at the Crèches could be undertaken. The South African Police Band then entertained the persons present with a spirited performance.
The Sea Cadets Anniversary Parade, celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the opening of the base by the then chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral LJ Woodburne, then took place at the same venue. Rear Admiral BH Teuteberg undertook the inspection and took the salute at the march past. The Cadets then presented a display of precision drill which the Naval personnel present found to be very impressive.
The parades were followed by a finger lunch of wonderful platters and cold chicken, supplied by Pick 'n Pay Knysna. The Cadet unit made wine, tea and coffee available, and Mitchell's Brewery supplied Foresters lagers. The Naval contingent and invited guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and there was enough for the cadets to also enjoy some food.
A highlight of the annual Pick 'n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is the concert by the South African Navy Senior Staff Band at the Knysna Quays Harbour Square on the last Sunday of the festival. It is an event looked forward to with great enthusiasm by the people of Knysna, and is presented by Peter Meese for the Waterfront Management Company. This year a tent was erected over the area for bad weather protection, but the storm made holes in the tent which would have allowed raindrops to fall on the band and their equipment.
On the Sunday morning the wind was an icy blast which would have made 90 minutes of sitting very uncomfortable, and rain was forecast to begin during the scheduled concert. The director of the Navy Band, Commander Ken Leibrandt, decided that he was unable to proceed with the concert at the Quays.
The 'plan B' venue was The Nedbank Pavillion on the Knysna High School Fields, but it was flooded, so the concert was called off in total. The festival is due to take place in the middle of the school holidays next year, so hopefully the Knysna High School Hall will be available as a 'plan B' venue for 2013. The packed lunches for the band, prepared by Café Mario and sponsored by Peter Meese, were distributed to the Dorothy Broster Children's Home in Khayalethu and were greatly appreciated.
- Knysna/Plett Herald
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Giant Wave Impact in India on Wednesday, 20 June, 2012 at 03:14 (03:14 AM) UTC.
Giant waves, more than 12 feet high, hit the northern side of the famous
shore temple at Mamallapuram, 60 km from Chennai, on Tuesday evening,
leaving the heritage monument three feet deep in water. Sea water gushed
inland for about 75 metres, leaving behind a pool of water. The temple
town was virtually empty with more than 3,000 shops downing shutters to
protest an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) proposal to take over an
ancient Perumal temple in the town. While there were no casualties, the
waves triggered memories of the 2004 tsunami when the temple town was
badly hit. "Tuesday's waves were a reminder of the tsunami. We were
scared when we saw the tall waves. Fortunately, all shops were closed,"
said V Balan, a member of the Mamallapuram Traders' Association. The
high waves, ASI sources said, started on Monday evening and continued
all through Tuesday before resulting in a deluge in the evening. As a
result the ASI is contemplating banning entry of visitors on Wednesday
to the shore temple. However, oceanographic experts have been quick to
reassure that the big wave is not the result of a tsunami. "This is just
a local phenomenon and possibly a freak phenomenon caused by low
pressure," said Dr M A Aatmanand, director of National Institute of
Ocean Technology.
- RSOE EDIS
- RSOE EDIS
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Pygmy Whale washes up on rocks
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A 2.3 meter Pygmy Whale that washed up on the rocks at Diaz Beach is most likely a casualty of the bad weather experienced in Mossel Bay over the past weekend.
Bad weather resulted in heavy swells of up to six meters, and beaches in the Mossel Bay area were covered in driftwood and debris.
- Mossel Bay Advertiser
Monday, 2 January 2012
Warnings as rough seas expected in Cape Town
Cape Town - Rough seas, high waves and rip currents expected over the next few days have prompted Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre to warn people to be extra cautious at the coast.
"Very rough seas with wave heights greater than 4m are expected between Cape Point and Port Alfred on Monday," read a press release issued on Sunday night.
"The City urges bathers in these areas to only go to beaches where there are lifeguards on duty and to swim only within the demarcated safe swimming areas."
In the event of a life- or property-threatening emergency, the public are requested to dial 107 from a land-line or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
- SAPA/News24
"Very rough seas with wave heights greater than 4m are expected between Cape Point and Port Alfred on Monday," read a press release issued on Sunday night.
"The City urges bathers in these areas to only go to beaches where there are lifeguards on duty and to swim only within the demarcated safe swimming areas."
In the event of a life- or property-threatening emergency, the public are requested to dial 107 from a land-line or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
- SAPA/News24
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)