Dedicated coastal tide and weather website launched
From Jersey Coastguard,
18 August 2011
Jersey Coastguard, in partnership with Port of Jersey and Jersey Marinas, has recently launched a new weather and tide website. Combining local data obtained from a wave data buoy out at sea with other live port observations the site offers a unique ‘one stop’ online portal for all professional and pleasure mariners as well as anyone interested in Jersey’s coast.
The website offers a range of enhanced features, including current and future weather forecasts, tide conditions, wind direction and speed as well as sea temperatures and wave heights. Although designed specifically for anyone using Jersey Marinas or sailing in local waters, Jersey Coastguard believes it offers valuable safety advice and will be of equal benefit to residents and visitors, from surfers to sailors, who wish to keep up to date with live weather and tide conditions. For example, fishermen can determine when their favourite rock will be submerged by the tide, surfers can look at the wave and swell heights off the coast and boat owners can find out when a particular berth dries.
In his role as CEO of Jersey Coastguard, Harbourmaster Captain Howard Le Cornu, explains, "The sea plays an important role in Island life and many of us are dependent on keeping in close touch with the ever-changing tides, sea and weather conditions. By creating this dedicated site we have been able to collate all relevant information into one easy to understand and navigate portal."
The application is a pilot project and users currently register for free. The initiative has been welcomed by the Island’s marine leisure growth group who have worked closely with Jersey Coastguard in the development stages of the project, as has Jersey Met Office, which will continue to feed live data to the site.
Enhanced features on the new site include:
Of particular interest, especially to tourists, is a facility that allows a user to check online when the tides are clear to access popular causeways such as those at Corbière Lighthouse, Elizabeth Castle and St Aubin’s Fort.
Captain Le Cornu concludes, "Jersey Coastguard strives to provide information and guidance to make our coastal waters even safer to use and therefore, we are confident that this website will be a valuable point of reference to anyone who takes to the sea. Weather and tides are subjects of constant interest, especially to anyone living on an Island and we believe we have made it that little bit easier to access important data at the touch of a button."
Future enhancements of the pilot site will include weather and tide information for nearby French and other Channel Islands’ ports as well as online live webcam images around the outlying ports. Consideration is also being given to develop the information as a local mobile 'Tide App' site as well as incorporate a French translation of the information, especially useful for anyone wishing to visit the Island from France.
As the site develops, anyone with ideas and comments for future enhancements is welcome to use the feedback forms available on the website.