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Capt Lou's Nautical News 7/4/10
Posted on: Mon 05-Jul-2010
| | WHALE WATCH BOAT HITS ROCKS IN OUTER BOSTON HARBOR
The 87 foot Massachusetts was heading out on a whale watch trip with 168 passengers and six crewmembers aboard when it went hard aground not too far from Graves Lighthouse in Boston's outer harbor. The Coast Guard, state, local agencies, and Good Samaritans all took passengers off the Massachusetts and brought them to Pemberton Pier in the town of Hull. Several people were reported to be injured. A Falcon Jet crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod observed a slight sheen around the vessel.
HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT ON THE WATER - MAN LEFT BEHIND IN THE WATER
Here is a story about another boating accident that happened this weekend Hull. Two boats, a 17 foot skiff and a 20 - 25 foot cabin cruiser collided in Hull Gut causing one of the boaters on the skiff to be thrown into the water. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the skipper on the bigger boat involved didn't stick around to find out. It was reported that he fled the scene leaving the other boater in the water. The Coast Guard and the Hingham Harbormaster department rescued the man in the water and now the Massachusetts State Police are trying to locate the boater who fled.
COAST GUARDS WARNS ABOUT SHARKS AND BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
The Coast Guard has issued the following advisories to all mariners. First, be on the lookout for great white sharks. The Coast Guard warned that a great white shark could easily capsize a small boat or kayak after being attracted to a splashing paddle or dangling hand or foot in the water. The Coast Guard's second warning states that the Fourth of July holiday is not only the busiest boating period of the year, but is also the deadliest holiday nationwide and in the Northeast. Over the past twelve July 4th holidays, 40 fatalities have occurred on waters in the Northeast. Of these deaths, 21 occurred in motorboats, seven on personal watercraft, seven in canoes, three on sailboats, and one each from aboard a pedal boat and a rowboat. Alcohol was involved in almost half of these holiday fatalities. Coast Guard Safety Officer Al Johnson said stay alert and be sober. Awareness is the key for this busy boating holiday.
TWO LOBSTER BOATS COLLIDE IN MAINE
Unawareness was the cause of a fatal boating accident in Maine. Two lobster boats, a 34 footer and a 43 footer, collided on a clear, bright, sunny day this past week. The captain on the smaller boat died and his mate suffered a head injury. The smaller boat sank in approximately 85-feet of water. The lobstermen on the larger boat immediately went to the aid of the two in the water and brought them back to the pier where an ambulance was waiting, but one of the men was pronounced dead at the dock. According to the captain of the bigger boat, it was apparent that neither skipper was aware of the other boat. Neither had posted a lookout.
WORLD'S LARGEST OIL SKIMMING VESSEL HEADS FOR GULF
The world's largest oil-skimming vessel is now heading to the Gulf of Mexico. It is a Taiwanese flagged former tanker named the "A Whale." It is the length of 3 1/2 football fields and stands 10 stories high. Officials hope it will be able to suck up as much as 21 million gallons of oil-fouled water per day. The ship looks like a typical tanker, but it takes in contaminated water through 12 vents on either side of the bow. The oil is then separated from the water and transferred to another vessel. The remaining treated water is pumped back into the sea. However, because of the Jones Act, the Coast Guard will have to exempt this foreign built ship from the Jones Act before it can work in the Gulf.
NOAA UPDATES ITS OIL SPILL MAP
In a related story, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has updated its map of where BP's oil spill may be heading. The NOAA map shows that there is a high chance the oil could reach the Florida Keys and Miami. NOAA's computer model predicts a 61% to 80% chance of sheen, tar balls, or other oil remnants coming within 20 miles of Florida's eastern coast, from the Keys to as far north as the Fort Lauderdale area by August 18th.
SAILOR MEDEVACED OFF NANTUCKET
A crew member from the sailing vessel Bombardino had to medevaced by the Coast Guard after he suffered facial injuries after being struck by the boat's main boom about 140 miles south of Nantucket. The Bombardino had just completed the Newport to Bermuda race, finishing fifth in its class, and was on its way home. The Coast Guard rescue helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod took the sailor to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment.
4 COASTIES TO BE COURT MARTIALED
Remember the story about the accident involving a Coast Guard boat and a pleasure boat during a San Diego Bay boat parade last Christmas in which an 8 year old boy was killed? The father of the child accused the Coast Guard of operating their boat wrecklessly in responding to call for help from a boater aground. Apparently, officials in the Coast Guard agreed with the claim because charges were filed against four of the Coasties operating the boat. The Coast Guard released a statement stating that the four petty officers aboard the 33 foot rescue boat have been recommended for court martial. Charges include involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide, and dereliction of duty.
DOGFISH QUOTA INCREASED
Local fishermen received some good news about the spiny dogfish stock. The National Marine Fisheries Service announced that dogfish, which are also known as sandsharks, in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic has been completely rebuilt, which will allow catch levels for the dogfish fishery to increase from 12 million pounds to 15 million pounds this year. However, vessel trip limits will remain at 3,000 pounds for the fishing year, which runs from May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011. Spiny dogfish meat is in demand in Britain and Germany where it is served as fish and chips and German beer garden snacks.
DIVERS CLAIM THEY HAVE ANDREA DORIA BELL
And last on today's nautical news, two divers from New Jersey claim they have found the bridge bell of the Andrea Doria, the famed Italian ocean liner that sank about 50 miles off Nantucket in 1956 after it collided with the S.S. Stockholm. The divers said they found the bell while on a diving tour to the wreck this holiday weekend. The 75-pound bell, which is now one of the few artifacts that is marked with the Andrea Doria name ever recovered from the wreck, was brought back to New Jersey where it will be put on display.
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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