Formentera/Ibiza storms: no warnings on Navtex

[Jes]

This week no meteorological warnings have been issued by STATE MET AGENCY OF SPAIN. Questions can be raised by accuracy and timeliness of these services. For boat owners at Formentera and Ibiza this storm was not predicted by NAVTEX.


STATION: X, CABO LA NAO NAVTEX SERVICE AREA has provided next information in advance of this storm:


[20240813-19:51:21] BALEARES: S 2 OR 3 INCR OVERNIGHT TO N OR NE 3 TO 5 LOC AND OCNL 6. SMOOTH BECMG SLGT. SHWRS AND THUNDERSTORMS.


[20240814-19:51:22] BALEARES: N OR NE 4 TO 6 VEER S 2 TO 4 IN W IN THE AFTERNOON. SLGT OCNL MOD. SHWRS AND THUNDERSTORMS.


Access to actual and historic NAVTEX information is still "hidden away" for the many boat owners: there is no easy web access for different area's available (dedicated NAVTEX receivers on board are not very common nowadays in coastal areas).
The simplicity of the infrastructure required to provide public access to this safety feature in Europe should actually be included in the navigation system, to which every skipper in every country already contributes.

[boatman61]

This is not unusual in the islands, it's an area that is prone to sudden unforcast weather events.
This is similar to a unexpected storm I experienced in Mallorca in the mid 90's that swept boats onto rocks in and around Andrax and killed one person in Palma..
Unfortunately many don't develop the habit of anchoring seriously and just lay the minimum for prevailing conditions.

[GordMay]

“Official severe weather warnings near Formentera” ~ Spain: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología
➥ https://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/avisos
➥ https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather..._spain_2517690

“Official severe weather warnings near Ibiza Town”
➥ https://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/avisos
➥ https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather..._spain_2516479

“Ibiza y Formentera Alerts” ~ AccuWeather
➥ https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/ei...arnings/305478