Tasman Sea

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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[image:Tasman_sea.png|350px| ]]<br />'''Tasman Sea''' - ''click for larger view''
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The '''Tasman Sea''' is the region of the [[South Pacific]] Ocean between [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. Although it has a reputation as being one of the roughest stretches of water in the world, at certain times of the year a Tasman Sea crossing can be pleasant and fairly placid.  Be aware, however, that as recently as 2013 yachts have been lost in this region without trace (most recently the SV Nina) and so proper planning and preparation for any trip is most strongly advised.
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The Tasman Sea is a marginal sea of the [[South Pacific]] Ocean, situated between [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. It measures approximately 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) across, and extends 2,800 km (approx.) from north to south.
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====Cruising the region====
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===Overview===
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The sea was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who was the first recorded European to encounter New Zealand and Tasmania. The British explorer Captain James Cook later extensively navigated the Tasman Sea in the 1770s as part of his first voyage of exploration.
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The Tasman Sea is informally referred to in both Australian and New Zealand English as ''The Ditch''; for example, crossing the ditch means travelling to Australia from New Zealand, or vice versa. The diminutive term "The Ditch" used for the Tasman Sea is comparable to referring to the North Atlantic Ocean as "The Pond".
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Although it has a reputation as being one of the roughest stretches of water in the world, at certain times of the year a Tasman Sea crossing can be pleasant and fairly placid.  Be aware, however, that as recently as 2013 yachts have been lost in this region without trace (most recently the SV Nina) and so proper planning and preparation for any trip is most strongly advised.
 +
 
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===Cruising the region===
Generally speaking, one does not "cruise" the Tasman Sea, but use it as a passage between two or more of the countries and territories that border it.  These include:
Generally speaking, one does not "cruise" the Tasman Sea, but use it as a passage between two or more of the countries and territories that border it.  These include:
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==Navigation Charts==
==Navigation Charts==
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; {{MagentaText|Source}}
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; [http://www.linz.govt.nz/hydro/ Land Information NZ]
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: {{MagentaText|Chart Number - Chart Name}}
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: NZ14601 -- Tasman Sea New Zealand to SE Australia
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: {{MagentaText|Chart Number - Chart Name}}
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; [http://www.hydro.gov.au Australian Hydrographic Service]
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; {{MagentaText|Source}}
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: AUS4601 South Pacific Ocean - Tasman Sea New Zealand to SE Australia
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: {{MagentaText|Chart Number - Chart Name}}
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: AUS4602 South Pacific Ocean - Tasman and Coral Seas Australia to Northern New Zealand and Fiji
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:  
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==Weather and Winds==
==Weather and Winds==
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{{GreenText|Give weather conditions in the region or refer to another page (a country?) that covers these conditions.}}
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Weather conditions in the Tasman Sea can be highly variable at any time of the year.  Generally speaking, westerly winds prevail over the southern half of the Tasman Sea especially in the southern hemisphere winter, and easterly or south easterly winds prevail in the northern Tasman Sea especially during the southern hemisphere summer.
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====Sources for weather information:====
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"Prevail" is a term used highly loosely here, due to the fact that the Tasman Sea is neither in the tropical latitudes nor entirely in the latitudes of prevailing westerlies around and below 40S (the ''roaring forties'').  These latitudes are known as the ''horse latitudes'' and winds can blow at any strength from any direction at any time of the year.
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*
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*
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The [http://www.bom.gov.au/ Australian Bureau of Meteorology] publishes a [http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/sehighseas.shtml South Eastern High Seas Forecast] daily that covers nearly all of the Tasman Sea.
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My past experience is that the Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecasts are significantly more accurate for the Tasman Sea area as a whole than any forecast issued in New Zealand -- [[User:Delatbabel|Delatbabel]]
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Regular updates to forecasts should be obtained while cruising on the Tasman Sea due to the frequent and sometimes unpredictable wind and weather changes -- including but not limited to HF Radio forecasts and/or GRIB data files obtained daily.  See the [[Weather]] page for more details.
==Currents & Tides==
==Currents & Tides==
The most notable current of the Tasman Sea, especially close to the Australian east coast, is the [[East Australian Current]].  This is a warm current that runs southwards from the [[Coral Sea]].  In the summer months the current runs as far south as [[Sydney]] or even [[Eden]], whereas in the winter months it tapers out by the time it reaches [[Coffs Harbour]].
The most notable current of the Tasman Sea, especially close to the Australian east coast, is the [[East Australian Current]].  This is a warm current that runs southwards from the [[Coral Sea]].  In the summer months the current runs as far south as [[Sydney]] or even [[Eden]], whereas in the winter months it tapers out by the time it reaches [[Coffs Harbour]].
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==Approaches and Navigation==
 
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{{GreenText|Any navigation notes here. If this section does not apply remove it.}}
 
==Regional Radio Nets==
==Regional Radio Nets==
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*  
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* See [[New_Zealand#Local_Radio_Nets|New Zealand]]
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*
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* See [[Australia#Radio_Nets|Australia]]
''Also see [[World MM Nets|World Cruiser's Nets]]''.
''Also see [[World MM Nets|World Cruiser's Nets]]''.
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==Routes/Passages To/From==
==Routes/Passages To/From==
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{{GreenText|List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.}}
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* [[Australia to New Zealand]]
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*  
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* [[New Zealand to Australia]]
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*  
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==Cruiser's Friends==
==Cruiser's Friends==
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==Personal Notes==
==Personal Notes==
Personal experiences?
Personal experiences?
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*  
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* [[User:Delatbabel|Delatbabel]] -- been there done that several times got the t shirt to prove it.

Revision as of 09:06, 18 October 2014

Tasman Sea Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the Tasman Sea.

Tasman sea.png
Tasman Sea - click for larger view

The Tasman Sea is a marginal sea of the South Pacific Ocean, situated between Australia and New Zealand. It measures approximately 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) across, and extends 2,800 km (approx.) from north to south.

Overview

The sea was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who was the first recorded European to encounter New Zealand and Tasmania. The British explorer Captain James Cook later extensively navigated the Tasman Sea in the 1770s as part of his first voyage of exploration.

The Tasman Sea is informally referred to in both Australian and New Zealand English as The Ditch; for example, crossing the ditch means travelling to Australia from New Zealand, or vice versa. The diminutive term "The Ditch" used for the Tasman Sea is comparable to referring to the North Atlantic Ocean as "The Pond".

Although it has a reputation as being one of the roughest stretches of water in the world, at certain times of the year a Tasman Sea crossing can be pleasant and fairly placid. Be aware, however, that as recently as 2013 yachts have been lost in this region without trace (most recently the SV Nina) and so proper planning and preparation for any trip is most strongly advised.

Cruising the region

Generally speaking, one does not "cruise" the Tasman Sea, but use it as a passage between two or more of the countries and territories that border it. These include:

For passage notes see:

Navigation Charts

Land Information NZ
NZ14601 -- Tasman Sea New Zealand to SE Australia
Australian Hydrographic Service
AUS4601 South Pacific Ocean - Tasman Sea New Zealand to SE Australia
AUS4602 South Pacific Ocean - Tasman and Coral Seas Australia to Northern New Zealand and Fiji

Weather and Winds

Weather conditions in the Tasman Sea can be highly variable at any time of the year. Generally speaking, westerly winds prevail over the southern half of the Tasman Sea especially in the southern hemisphere winter, and easterly or south easterly winds prevail in the northern Tasman Sea especially during the southern hemisphere summer.

"Prevail" is a term used highly loosely here, due to the fact that the Tasman Sea is neither in the tropical latitudes nor entirely in the latitudes of prevailing westerlies around and below 40S (the roaring forties). These latitudes are known as the horse latitudes and winds can blow at any strength from any direction at any time of the year.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology publishes a South Eastern High Seas Forecast daily that covers nearly all of the Tasman Sea.

My past experience is that the Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecasts are significantly more accurate for the Tasman Sea area as a whole than any forecast issued in New Zealand -- Delatbabel

Regular updates to forecasts should be obtained while cruising on the Tasman Sea due to the frequent and sometimes unpredictable wind and weather changes -- including but not limited to HF Radio forecasts and/or GRIB data files obtained daily. See the Weather page for more details.

Currents & Tides

The most notable current of the Tasman Sea, especially close to the Australian east coast, is the East Australian Current. This is a warm current that runs southwards from the Coral Sea. In the summer months the current runs as far south as Sydney or even Eden, whereas in the winter months it tapers out by the time it reaches Coffs Harbour.

Regional Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Countries, Ports, Anchorages, and Islands

Ports, Anchorages, and Islands

Routes/Passages To/From

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc. Use the Reference template or not at your discretion. For example:

{{Reference|Rod Heikel|Greek Waters Pilot Imray||Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire|9780852889718}}, expands to
Rod Heikell, Greek Waters Pilot Imray, Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718
  • Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
  • Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number

You may want to remove the above entries and use instead a link to the Country or Region that lists the relevant references. If so enter, after removing {{MagentaText|xx}}, the following:

See [[Country or Region#References_&_Publications|Coutry or Region]].

If you do not use the above link, please remove it.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

  • Delatbabel -- been there done that several times got the t shirt to prove it.


Template:Guide1



SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Delatbabel


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