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Capt Lou's Nautical News 6/6/10
Posted on: Mon 07-Jun-2010
| | NEARLY 40% OF GULF OF MEXICO CLOSED TO FISHING
NOAA has now closed nearly 90,000 square miles or about 40 percent of the Gulf's federal waters to fishing. The closed fishing area includes a zone off southwest Florida just to the west of the Dry Tortugas. Officials said this underwater oil spill is much worse than a tanker spill because there is so much oil in the water column that hasn't reached the surfaced. The government now estimates that between 25 million gallons to as many 50 million gallons of oil have already poured into the Gulf since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20. Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and now Florida are reporting oil on their shorelines.
FOOD INSPECTORS USE NOSES TO FIND TAINTED FISH
In a related story, safeguards have been implemented by NOAA and the FDA to ensure no tainted fish and seafood from the Gulf will reach the marketplace. Officials are using their eyes, mouths, and mostly their noses to look for any oil on the fish. Consumers should feel confident that it is safe to eat the fish. However, Gulf fish dealers say their orders for seafood have dropped by more than 50%.
BODY FOUND IN MERRIMACK RIVER
Closer to home, two fishermen found the body of a 22-year-old female floating near the mouth of the Merrimack River. They tied a rope around it and called 911. The Coast Guard immediately responded and recovered the body. The body is believed to be that of the young woman who was swept out to sea this past week along with seven of her friends. Officials were able to rescue her friends, but unfortunately this young woman quickly disappeared underwater.
BOSTON'S "B" BUOY OUT OF SERVICE
And this important notice to mariners. The B Buoy, the buoy at the entrance to Boston's shipping channel, is no longer transmitting data. Ships entering Boston harbor depend upon the buoy's signals to guide them safely into the Boston harbor channel. The Coast Guard said the buoy will be restored to service when it can be worked into its maintenance schedule. Several other important buoys along the northeast coast are now also being reported as needing maintenance.
MAN FALLS THROUGH ROOF OF BUILDING ON PEDDOCKS ISLAND
A 23 year old man was seriously injured after he fell 30 feet through the roof of a building on Peddocks Island off the coast of Hull. The man broke his leg and possibly both wrists and some ribs. The Coast Guard took him by helicopter to the Mass General Hospital in Boston. State police, Boston police, Massport firefighters, and the Hull Harbormaster all responded to the island because the call for help came from a cell phone and nobody knew where the man was on the 184 acre island. It wasn't clear what the man was doing on the roof of one the abandoned buildings.
DRAMATIC INCREASE IN HOAX DISTRESS CALLS
Coast Guard reports a dramatic increase in hoax distress calls this year in sector Southeast New England. The Coast Guard said it's actively pursuing the person or persons responsible for the fake calls with a new tracking system. Making a hoax distress call is a felony with fines and jail time and the person found responsible will also be liable to cover the costs of the search. Furthermore it puts the lives of the searchers in jeopardy, takes away valuable assets from a potential real emergency, putting those lives in danger as well.
GREAT WHITE SHARKS RETURNING TO CAPE COD
Great white sharks are heading back to Chatham Cape Cod where their favorite food, seals are abundant. There is a prolific seal colony on the Monomoy islands, just south of Chatham and not too far from the very popular Lighthouse beach. Massachusetts shark expert Greg Skomal said the state will not be paying this year for spotter planes to locate sharks that may be near beaches and bathers. Beach goers and swimmers must assume the risk that the great white sharks are present and will remain present until September. The job of warning the public of sharks will be primarily the responsibility of the harbormaster and lifeguards. Last year, sharks in shallow water closed Lighthouse Beach and all south-facing beaches in Chatham in late August and early September. Nautical Talk Radio called the Chatham Harbormaster department for a response, who referred us to the town's director of Parks and Recreation Department. Our phone calls were not returned.
OIL SPILL PLAN BEING FORMULATED FOR BOSTON HARBOR
Bay State officials are now formulating a response plan to handle any future oil spills that might occur in Boston Harbor. State officials, Coast Guard personnel, and environmentalists are all determining which areas of the harbor should be considered priorities in the event of a spill. High priorities include marshes, breeding areas for birds, spawning areas for fish, and shellfish beds. Other Massachusetts coastal communities are now also making oil spill clean up plans a priority.
TALL SHIP DOCKS IN HINGHAM HARBOR
On June 11 and 12 the Lincoln Maritime Center located in Hingham Harbor will kick off its 40th Season with a weekend celebration that includes bringing the Tall Ship, Liberty Clipper into Hingham Harbor. The Liberty Clipper will arrive at the Lincoln Maritime Center at noon on Friday, June 11. The Liberty Clipper is a 125-foot Tall Ship that is a replica of the famed Baltimore Clippers.
TV's "DEADLIEST CATCH" STAR TRYING TO "DANCE WITH THE STARS"
Captain Sig Hansen, one of the stars in the TV reality show "Deadliest Catch," is trying to get on another TV reality show - "Dancing with the Stars." Over 15,000 signatures are on Sig's Facebook fan page trying to help him get on the show. The skipper of the Northwestern even appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where he got a dance lesson from a professional. The dance instructor said that Sig learned the dance steps quickly and that his hip action was brilliant. Sig who has been described as "tough but lovable" said he does not take criticism well, and joked that if Bruno, a "Dancing with the Stars" judge, came after him, he would probably put him in a strangle hold.
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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