A Message from Latitude 38

September 11 - Mill Valley

Dear Readers,

We join everyone in mourning the loss of all the lives and the injuries
suffered in this morning's unprecedented terrorist attacks on America. At
this point it's unclear what will happen in the next 24 hours, the next
week, and the next couple of months. Naturally, it would be best if
everyone remains as calm as possible.

On a personal basis, we suggest that it might be most therapeutic
for people who wouldn't be ending up in major public areas - such as the
local bridges - to proceed with what otherwise would be their normal daily
routine. None of us might get much work done, but following a routine is
probably the healthiest thing we can do for ourselves.

Today is clearly a landmark day in our nation's history and the
history of the world. But it's important to keep things in perspective.
Throughout history people have been faced with stupendous natural and
man-induced disasters. In each case, what was done was done. The most
important thing was how they collectively responded afterwards. Now is the
time for solidarity.

In the belief that it's important to continue the routine of life
and not crack under terrorist threats, we plan to post a normal 'Lectronic
Latitude tomorrow in honor of the those who've suffered as a result of the
attacks. In this same fashion, we hope that the Big Boat Series will
continue as scheduled, to the best extent possible, not as a sporting
event, but as a tribute to the country, and a demonstration of our
intention to be steadfast.

Peace and love to all of you.

Information Affecting Travelers

September 11 - Mill Valley

We've put together some basic information affecting travelers locally, nationally, and abroad.

The FAA has grounded all flights in the United States, however flights that were already in the air at the time the decision was made were allowed to continue, leaving the choice on where to land up to each airline and pilot. International flights coming into the U.S. were diverted to Canada, although some flights coming from Asia were allowed to land at SFO. Officials there are now attempting to clear that airport. LAX has been evacuated. United Airlines has grounded all their flights worldwide.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service has put the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada on the "highest state of alert."

The New York Port Authority has closed all bridges and tunnels into New York City. The Pentagon dispatched two warships to stand off in New York Harbor.

Here in the Bay Area, although many businesses and public buildings are closed, all bridges are open and all public transportation is running, though you may want to check schedules. Golden Gate Transit has increased ferry service. The Golden Gate Bridge is closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, but open to vehicles. Downtown San Francisco, in the area of Van Ness, Gough and Franklin is gridlocked, and we recommend avoiding that area if at all possible.

Our information has been gathered from KCBS radio, 740 AM, and from CNN and Fox news, and is believed to be accurate as of 11:45 PDT.

Four Planes Lost Have Been Identified

September 11 - FAA

One of the four planes involved which have been identified was enroute to SFO when it crashed in rural Pennsylvania, about 80 miles from Pittsburgh, after being hijacked. That flight was United flight #93 from Newark, New Jersey. Also involved were United flight #175 from Boston to LAX, American Airlines flight #77 from Dulles (Washington DC) to LAX, and American flight #11 from Boston to LAX.

Family members who might have loved ones on those flights should call the airlines at the following numbers:

United Airlines (800) 932-8555

American Airlines (800) 245-0999

YOTREPS

September 11 - The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace

Who is out making passages in the Pacific and what kind of weather are they having? Check out YOTREPS - 'yacht reports' - at http://www.bitwrangler.com/yotreps/

Weather Updates

September 11 - Pacific Ocean

San Francisco Bay Weather

To see what the winds are like on the Bay and just outside the Gate right now, check out http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/wind/.

California Coast Weather

Looking for current as well as recent wind and sea readings from 17 buoys and stations between Pt. Arena and the Mexican border? Here's the place - which has further links to weather buoys and stations all over the U.S.: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/stuff/southwest/swstmap.shtml.

Pacific Winds and Pressure

The University of Hawaii Dept. of Meteorology page posts a daily map of the NE Pacific Ocean barometric pressure and winds.

Pacific Sea State

Check out the Pacific Ocean sea states at: http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.
For another view, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data/global.html.