Planning your next port of call? Make it smoother from the start. For a limited time, when you sign up for Noonsite Premium Annual Membership, you’ll receive a FREE limited-edition Formalities Wallet (US$30 value). Designed by experienced cruisers, it keeps all your essential documents organised and ready. Coupled with Premium membership it means you can focus on the journey, not the paperwork.

A recent report from the Caribbean Safety and Security Net (CSSN) details a serious assault incident in Portobello, Panama, in which a yacht was boarded by a group of armed individuals. The perpetrators reportedly assaulted crew members and carried out a robbery, highlighting ongoing security risks for cruisers in the region. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance, strengthening onboard security measures, and staying informed through timely reporting networks like the CSSN.

The word Dyneema is apt to conjure up images of high-performance, highly tuned racing boats hurtling round the cans with uniformed crew working furiously at the winches. It’s not just in the racing world that Dyneema has its place, however. It can be an enormously useful material on cruising boats as well. In this article, Jimmy Green Marine explain what Dyneema is and how it can help improve your cruising performance.

Clearing into Thailand proved more complicated than expected for this cruising family. Despite following guidance from yacht clearance officials when submitting their arrival paperwork, a misunderstanding led to a chain of issues that continued all the way to their next destination, the Maldives. Their experience highlights how complex clearance procedures can be, and why it’s worth double-checking requirements through resources like Noonsite or considering the support of a reputable agent. Here, skipper Brad shares their story.

Noonsite Regional Editor Megan continues her monthly Musings, covering cruising topics that are often overlooked, yet a major part of life on board. For the past 9 years, Megan and her family have called their Boreal 47 expedition monohull, SV Zephyros, home and in this latest installment, she continues her thoughts on why she continues to feel called to the cruising life as she discusses crew, community and the sailing bubble.

In 2025, cruisers in Davao began experiencing issues with the local Bureau of Customs. In response, Holiday Oceanview Marina (HOV) closed (August 2025) and cruisers were advised to avoid the area while the issues were clarified. The situation in Davao has now improved and the HOV Marina is open again (April 2026). Find out more details in this news article.

Following the recent announcement from BIOT Administration regarding the pause in new yacht permit applications, Noonsite was invited to discuss the current situation directly with BIOT officials. This included clarification on the permitting process, anticipated developments, and guidance for yachts considering a visit this season.

While seeking shelter from a storm in an unfamiliar anchorage on the north coast of the Papua New Guinea province of New Ireland, a cruising yacht was boarded by three men armed with machetes. The crew members were able to repel the boarders - according to this first-hand report from the British skipper who is on a round-the-world voyage.

This route across the Gulf of Guinea remains uncommon for private cruising yachts due to limited infrastructure, variable equatorial weather, security concerns and general lack of support facilities. With preparation and flexibility, both the Liberian coast and offshore passage toward São Tomé are navigable, as Elena Levon of SV Rebels outlines in this report.

Regular Noonsite contributor Luc Callebaut and his partner Jackie Lee have arrived in French Polynesia after making their way eastward from the Philippines. In his latest video diary and report for Noonsite, Luc covers leg six of their voyage from Tonga to the Cook Islands and what has changed in Aitutaki since his first visit more than 20 years ago.