MLG ENCOUNTERS LINE OF TSTM AND DEVIATES OUT TO SEA; BUT NOT OVERWATER EQUIPPED.

Narrative

LEFT PBI APPROX XA30. FLT PAPERS INDICATED NO SIGMETS -- AIRMETS FOR RTE OF FLT. SCATTERED TSTMS EARLIER ALONG COAST ON WAY DOWN. NO FURTHER INFO FROM DISPATCH EXCEPT TO ADD FUEL; DUE TO POSSIBLE ENRTE WX. NO RADAR SUMMARY; MAP INFO; OR OTHER INFO AVAILABLE IN PBI OPS!!! DEPARTED AS PER ATC CLRNC VIA AR7. THIS ACFT IS BARELY LEGAL TO FLY THIS ROUTING (FAA PERMIT); DUE TO LACK OF RAFTS ON BOARD; NO HF RADIO; AND JUST VOR/ADF NAV. JUST N OF FREEPORT; LARGE LINE OF WX (SOLID) APPROX 150 MI LONG; MOVING E ALONG AR1 AND AR7. (N TO S). WE TELL ATC -- LINE IS SOLID; THEY SAY DEV E; WE ARE NOW COMMITTED TO OVERWATER ROUTING DUE TO OUR POS. HAD TO DEVIATE APPROX 15-20 MI E OF AR3 (NE OF ORLANDO). SLOWLY WORKED OUR WAY BACK THROUGH A HOLE APPROX 25 MI S OF CARPS (AR3) AND REJOINED NORMAL RTE. WE TRIED ON 131.17 TO CALL DISPATCH (AIRLINE); NO HELP UNTIL S OF ILM (30 MI); TO ALERT OTHER FLTS OF OUR PROBLEMS. WE HAD NO RAFTS ON BOARD; NO HF; VOR AND ADF NAV NOT RELIABLE; WELL BEYOND SPECIAL EXCEPTION GRANTED BY FAA. LACK OF TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE INFO FOR CREW TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION; POOR PLANNING BY OUR DISPATCH AND ATC. INADEQUATE EQUIP PLACED US IN A VERY DANGEROUS POS. THE DISPATCHERS ATTEMPT TO SAVE FUEL; (UNDER GREAT PRESSURE FROM COMPANY); AND THE VOLUME OF FLTS HE HANDLES; AT TIMES NEARLY 30 FLTS (HIS OWN ADMISSION). FUEL GAIN SHARING PUT IN PLACE BY COMPANY PUTS PERSONAL PRESSURE ON DISPATCH TO CHOOSE ROUTING OF AR RATHER THAN SAFER; ALTERNATIVE; UNDER OUR LIMITED CONDITIONS (REGARDLESS OF ATC WANTS). SAFETY FIRST.