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Capt Lou's Nautical News 2/14/10
Posted on: Mon 15-Feb-2010
| | BREAKING NEWS: AMERICA WINS BACK THE AMERICA'S CUP
A) After hearing about the proposed cuts in the Coast Guard's budget, Commandant Thad Allen said there could be a drop in his agency's readiness. Under President Obama's budget plan for 2011, the Coast Guard will receive about 100 million dollars less than the previous year. The chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on homeland security said the budget cut is "penny wise and pound foolish." Another official said the cuts would be unnecessary if the terrorists were tried in a military court.
B) TV's "Deadliest Catch" captain Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie passed away at the age of 53 after suffering from a stroke earlier this week. The "Deadliest Catch" TV show is a reality show about a fleet of crab fishing boats that fish in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska. The show will soon begin its sixth season and is watched by about three million viewers a week, making it one of the top rated programs on basic cable. The TV program shows why fishing is the most dangerous occupation in the world. When the crabs are running during the winter, the men work day and night, sometimes 40 hours at a stretch. They haul in 800 pound pots while 30-foot waves and 60-knot winds toss and turn their boats and everything on deck. In its first season, one of the featured boats, the Big Valley, sank, killing all but one of its crew. Captain Harris had owned and operated the Cornelia Marie for 16 years.
C) Marshfield Harbormaster Michael DiMeo reported that the $1.86 million dredging project in Green Harbor is now completed with an average depth of six to seven feet in the channel at low tide. Weather delayed the project a little bit. It was supposed to be completed by January 31st, but a one week extension was granted to the contractor. Other than that, the project went fairly smoothly. Now the job of putting the moorings back in place remains. The next project for the harbor is to study the location and condition of the jetties at the mouth of the harbor. It is possible to rebuild the jetties so that they prevent or slow down the process of the sand filling in the harbor again
D) A satellite tag attached to a great white shark last summer in Chatham has surfaced off of Jacksonville, Florida. This was the second of five tags attached by a harpoon to great white sharks to have surfaced. The first tagged popped up about 30 miles away from where the second one was found. Greg Skomal, a senior biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, is studying the information released by the tags. The tags record water temperature, depth, sunlight, and other data to help scientists trace the movements of a shark. When the tag surfaces, it transmits its location and information to a satellite.
E) The 2010 America's Cup races finally got underway in Valencia, Spain, after weather delayed the start for five days. The winner of the first race in the best of three series was the American team BMW Oracle. This was the first time an American team has won a race since 1992. BMW Oracle president Larry Ellison had to watch the race from a chase boat since the American team used a minimal crew because of the light wind. This year only two teams are racing. They are both using 90 foot trimaran sailboats and reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour. The second race happens today.
F) She didn't apologize and she didn't explain why her law enforcement team was so heavy handed with their tactics and fines imposed on fishermen in the northeast, but the head of NOAA, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, issued a statement promising to improve fisheries enforcement. This promise came on the heels of a scathing report she received from the U.S. Interior Department's Inspector General. Her promise was met with skepticism because she never spelled out what changes were to be made.
G) The future of the legendary QE2 cruise ship is in doubt after reports of its owner in Dubai offering the ship for sale. Plans to use the ship as a floating hotel have been dropped since its owner, Dubai World, is in debt to the tune of about $22 billion. The previous owner, Cunard, sold the QE2 in 2007 for $100 million. The liner, which was launched in September 1967, was the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168 year history. She crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers. Now, cruise industry leaders fear the worst for the ship. They say it will never be used again and will end up in the scrap yard.
H) Just in time for Valentine's Day, Tiger Woods checked out of the Gentle Path sex addiction clinic in Mississippi where it was rumored he received cold water showers for treatment. Believe it or not, his wife was by his side and escorted him back to the warmer waters of Florida where she will be given a 3 million dollar dive boat. The boat was custom designed for Tiger's wife who is an avid diver. This will be the couple's second boat as they still own the 150 foot mega-yacht named Privacy. And if you are wondering what the new boat will be named, well wonder no more. Its name will be The Solitude and is docked at the Pirate's Cove Resort & Marina near the Woods' new home on Jupiter Island. It's amazing what the salt air and the gentle rocking of the waves can do for a romance.
I) And last on today's nautical news, nutritionists say lobsters and mussels are the food of love. So although chocolate and champagne might be the more traditional gift for that special someone on Valentines Day, experts say lobsters and mussels are a natural aphrodisiac. So if you are looking for something to make your mate fall in love with you all over again this Valentines Day, get some lobsters and flex your mussels.
Listen to the live broadcast of "Nautical Talk Radio" with Capt Lou and crew, Sunday mornings from 11 - 12 noon (Boston time) on radio station 95.9FM WATD, Marshfield, and streaming around the world on www.959watd.com. You can also listen to a replay of the most recent show anytime during the week at www.nauticaltalk.com.
* Winner of Mass/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW"
* Recipient of Coast Guard's Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service
* Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY AWARD"
* Winner of Boston's Achievement In Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" AWARD
* Nominated Boston's A.I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM"
* Recipient of Man of the Year Award - Metropolitan Yacht Club - 2009
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