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Capt Lou's Nautical News 6/13/10
Posted on: Mon 14-Jun-2010
| | 16 YEAR OLD SOLO SAILOR RESCUED AT SEA
Abbey Sunderland, a 16-year-old California girl, who was feared lost at sea while sailing solo around the world, was rescued and taken aboard a fishing boat about 400 miles off the coast of Madagascar. Her $90,000 40 foot sailboat, named "Wild Eyes," given to her by her parents on her 16th birthday, was left behind. The girl said wind and waves knocked her boat's mast and satellite phone antenna down and that is why she manually activated her emergency beacon signals. The Australia Maritime Safety Authority responded to the signals by chartering a commercial jet to locate her. Upon arriving on scene, it was determined the girl's boat was still floating with plenty of food and supplies on board, so a call was made to a fishing boat 450 miles away to rendezvous with her, which it did as we just reported. Originally, Abbey departed this past January to attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop around the world, but less than a month later, mechanical problems made her pull into port and end that quest. After repairs were made, Abbey decided to continue her voyage around the world until this latest setback.
FISHERMEN EXPOSED TO MUSTARD GAS
Two fishermen were taken to the hospital with mustard gas exposure after pulling up about 10 canisters in their net. One of the canisters broke open and two of the crew members aboard the New Bedford clam dredger, the E.S.S. Pursuit, began experiencing blistering and difficulty breathing. The crew threw the other canisters overboard. The Coast Guard is working with the captain of the boat to try to determine where those canisters were thrown back into the ocean. The crew's catch was confiscated and probably will be destroyed, while the boat was ordered to back to port where officials decontaminate it.
5 YEAR MORATORIUM ON CATCHING LOBSTERS PROPOSED
Fishermen south of Cape Cod, (Vineyard Sound, Rhode Island Sound, and Long Island Sound), are facing a possible five-year moratorium on the catching of lobsters. If the moratorium should pass, it would take effect next year. Lobstermen claim after 5 years, their business infrastructure would be gone. The buyers, distributors, and marketplaces would be gone. Furthermore many fishermen believe that the lobster population is cyclical and that a moratorium would have absolutely no effect on the growth rate of the lobster stock. Many reasons have been given for the decline in lobsters in Long Island and Rhode Island Sounds, but scientists have never been able to pinpoint the cause for the decline. At its peak lobsters caught in these waters accounted for as much as 25% of the total lobster catch in the Northeast. Today, it is only 5 to 7 percent with the bulk share of the lobster landings coming from the Gulf of Maine.
COAST GUARD TOWS FISHING BOAT BACK FROM GEORGE'S BANK
The Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba went to the rescue of the 65 foot, Gloucester based fishing vessel Grace Marie and took the boat in tow after the captain reported the boat was broken down and adrift on George's Bank in gale force winds. The Escanaba towed the Grace Marie about 178 miles to just north of Provincetown where another fishing vessel rendezvoused with the Coast Guard and assumed the job of towing the boat back to port. No injuries were reported.
SHARKS HEADING FOR FLORIDA'S SHORE TO ESCAPE OIL SPILL
More than two dozen sharks have been seen swimming near Florida's Gulf coast in the past few weeks. Scientists say it is too early to tell whether the sharks near Florida's beaches is connected with the oil spill, but they are beginning to think so. If it true, Florida's tourism and real estate values will suffer. Marine scientists also have reported sightings of sailfish, dolphin fish, mahimahi and other deep water fish that normally do not come close to shore.
COAST GUARD NEEDS MORE HELP AND MONEY TO FIGHT SPILL
Retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said he is considering asking for more Coast Guard personnel from other parts of the country to deal with the Gulf oil spill. That's a change from a month ago, when Allen said that one of his biggest concerns in fighting the oil spill was not to leave another area of the country vulnerable should a problem occur there. Allen said that as of right now he has 25,000 people working on the spill. Allen also said there were 400 skimming vessels, 500 barges, 2,500 contracted vessels, and 66 aircraft. These numbers do not include BP hired workers or vessels.
ENGINE MANUFACTURER WARNS OF OIL SPILL DAMAGE TO ENGINES
Engine manufacturer Volvo Penta of the Americas is warning their customers that the Gulf oil spill could damage their marine inboard and sterndrive engines, even affecting those boats that just sit at the dock. Volvo Penta claims that ingestion of small amounts of oil into the engine's cooling system could cause damage, and sterndrive components and other running gear could also be damaged if submersed in oil contaminated water. Owners are encouraged to contact their Volvo Penta dealer for service recommendations if their boat has been operated or exposed to oil contaminated water.
LOTS OF NEW EVENTS AND BUILDINGS FOR BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS
And last on today's nautical news, the Boston Harbor Islands will feature lots of new activities for visitors this summer. There will be free yoga classes, an artist pavilion, a concert by the Dorchester Symphony Orchestra, and rock concerts featuring local bands. Plus Spectacle and George's Islands will feature Jasper White Summer Shack cafes, new visitor centers, guided tours, and new docks. Tomorrow, Flag Day, free ferry rides from Boston's Long Wharf to the islands will be offered all day long.
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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