National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Examination Center (REC) Operating Status Update

•      The NMC reopened January 28, 2019, and is implementing measures to address increased levels of application inventory.

•         Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) and Medical Certifications (National Endorsements only) set to expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 remain valid until May 31, 2019.  (See Update 3 – Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

•         Additional Information (AI) letters, Qualified Assessor (QA) letters, Designated Examiner (DE) letters, Proctor Approval letters, Approval to Test (ATT) letters, and mariner training completion certificates set to expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 remain valid until April 30, 2019.  (See Update 3 – Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

•         Mariners seeking to operate on STCW endorsements that expired on or after December 1, 2018, may request continued service STCW dispensations via e-mail at STCWDispensations@uscg.mil.  (For application details, see STCW Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

•         All RECs will be fully operational and open to the public by Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

•         The scheduling system for REC examinations, application drop off, and other credentialing business will be active beginning Thursday, January 31, 2019.

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Coast Guard Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown

This is still valid at this time

To mitigate the impact caused by the partial lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the following updated actions are being taken:

• Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended as valid until April 30, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential.

Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended to April 30, 2019.

Approval to Test (ATT) letters and mariner training course certificates that expire in the months of December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended until April 30, 2019.

For mariners whose 90-day testing cycles were interrupted by Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26, 2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the 90-day period. REC appointment calendars will be re-opened immediately once appropriations are restored.

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Minister with responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD, announces funding in relation to Sail Training Ireland (STIRL)

100 extra young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and disability sector to gain experience onboard tall ships and other vessels

Today, Minister with responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe T.D, made a funding announcement in relation to Sail Training Ireland (STIRL). Mr Kehoe, accompanied by Minister with responsibility for Disabilities Finian McGrath, announced the provision of a grant of €85,000 in 2019 and again in 2020 which will go towards youth development. The funding, approved by Cabinet in December, will benefit young people from disadvantaged areas and the disability sector. Sail Training Ireland is a registered charity (CHY 20067) based in Dublin and was established in 2011 by three people previously involved with the Asgard.

The objective of Sail training is youth development rather than just teaching people to sail.  This is an important distinction. In 2018, Sail Training Ireland placed 341 young people on sail training vessels, over 90% of whom were from disadvantaged backgrounds. Sail Training Ireland does not own or operate a vessel. Instead it charters vessels as required. This is a different model to the state’s previous sail training vessel – the Asgard which sank off the coast of France in 2008. 

Trainees are selected by nominating organisations, examples of which are the HSE, Garda Diversion Projects, Tulsa, Irish Wheelchair Association and the Irish Refugee Council to name a few. A total of 37 nominating organisations provided trainees for placement in 2018. Skills such as communication, leadership, confidence and teamwork are all developed when on board a sail training vessel.

Sail Training Ireland also facilitates young people with a disability to avail of the sail training experience. Indeed in 2018, over 25% of those placed on voyages were young people with a disability. In terms of gender balance, of the 341 trainees in 2018, 185 were male with 156 female. Trainees have also come from over 25 counties in Ireland which includes 5 in Northern Ireland.

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Ocean Race Science Programme scoops award

Efforts to increase understanding of ocean health recognised by prestigious Ocean Tribute Awards.

Leg Zero, Around the Island Race. 02 August, 2017Marc Bow/Volvo Ocean Race

The seven boats collected new scientific data during the nine-month fully-crewed, round the world yacht race. This helped increase scientific understanding of the impacts plastic pollution and other human activity are having on ocean health. The award was presented during a ceremony held at the boot Düsseldorf International Boat Show. Panel judge Frank Schweikert, Chairman of the German Marine Foundation, said: “The programme was groundbreaking and set new standards in global awareness of the dramatic levels of pollution in the oceans. “This was a perfect symbiosis between water sports and science."

Anne-Cécile Turner, Sustainability Programme Leader, accepted the award at the ceremony, attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco who was representing his foundation. She said: “The Science Programme was an innovative and collaborative effort involving sailors, scientists, partners and a whole host of others concerned about the ocean and keen to advance our understanding of the problems it faces. “By working together we were able achieve the objectives of educating, innovating and leaving a lasting legacy and are proud that this has been recognised by the Ocean Tribute judges.”

This is the third win for the programme after it already proved successful in the ‘Sports CSR Campaign of the Year’ category at the International Sports Awards and in the ‘Best Corporate Campaign or Initiative in Sport for Good’ category at the Beyond Sport Awards. An expert scientific consortium, funded by Volvo Cars, used cutting edge technology to build state of the art equipment to capture the most relevant ocean data. This included information on the global spread of microplastics, how a changing climate is affecting ocean health and, through the deployment of drifter buoys, ways oceanographic data can improve our understanding of the link between the ocean and weather patterns.

The scientific analysis was spearheaded by GEOMAR Institute for Ocean Research in Kiel, Germany, funded by the Cluster of Excellence Future Ocean. The data has been uploaded to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) database where scientists are able to access it open source.

Boat-Towing Captains from FL, CT, CA Honored for Lifesaving Acts

(L to R) BoatUS CEO Kirk La; Meritorious Award recipient Capt. Mike Del Grande, TowBoatUS Long Beach, Calif. (credit: BoatUS)

When recreational boaters are in grave trouble, the captains of the on-water recreational boat-towing service, TowBoatUS, don’t hesitate to act. Six captains who acted as good Samaritans to save lives in 2018 were recently honored by their peers at a ceremony held at the annual BoatUS Towing Conference in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 17.

The captains serve TowBoatUS towing locations in South Dade, Florida; Tarpon Springs, Florida; Mystic, Connecticut; Long Beach, California; and Lake Havasu, California. These are their actions:

Woody Pollack Lifesaving Award

• Capt. Lee Hartman, TowBoatUS South Dade, Florida: A man aboard a 40-foot motor vessel tied up to a marina fuel dock had a heart attack and fell overboard into alligator-infested waters – but no one saw it happen. Only a loud bang followed by a splash gave an eerie feeling to Capt. Hartman who, in a frantic yet systematic search, was able to locate and pull the man out from under the motor vessel’s transom, where his body had been pinned underwater against the boat’s propellers and rudder by an outgoing tide. With assistance from bystanders, the man was removed from the water and rushed to the hospital where he spent a week recovering. 

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Coast Guard Foundation Activates Coast Guard Family Support Program

Relief for Coast Guard Members Impacted by Government Shutdown

A crew aboard the 52-foot Motor Life Boat Invincible II from Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor prepares to tow a disabled vessel while a second Station Grays Harbor boat crew aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat standby near Grays Harbor, Washington, Jan. 7, 2019.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Grays Harbor)

 The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that the organization is sending an initial $250,000 in family support to assist Coast Guard families impacted by the government shutdown.

As noted by the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, this is the first time in the Nation’s history that service members in a U.S. Armed Force have not been paid during a lapse in appropriations.

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew flies over the 650-foot Sincerity Ace on fire 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 31, 2018. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by HC-130 Hercules 1720)

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Alameda-based Coast Guard cutter and crew depart for Western Pacific patrol

On a gray and foggy morning, tears intermingled with rain as family members braved the elements to say goodbye to the 170 crewmembers of Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL-750), a 418-foot national security cutter, which departed Alameda, California, Sunday for a patrol in the Western Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. Coast Guard has an enduring role in the Indo-Pacific going back over 150 years. The service’s ongoing deployment of resources to the region directly supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the National Security Strategy.

“The United States is a Pacific nation,” said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, commander Coast Guard Pacific Area, who was present to see the cutter depart. “We have deep and long-standing ties with our partners in the region, and more importantly, we share a strong commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, governed by a rules-based international system that promotes peace, security, prosperity and sovereignty of all nations.”

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The Cruising Association publishes new edition of the Inland Waterways Guide to France & Belgium

The 2019 edition of the Cruising Association's guide Cruising the Inland Waterways of France and Belgium has just been published.

This authoritative 204-page guide, edited by Gordon Knight and Dr Roger Edgar, is now in its 23rd edition and available directly from the CA's online shop at https://www.theca.org.uk/catalog as well as from the Lulu.com bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Described as their 'Bible' by regular users and yacht skippers planning routes to and from the Mediterranean, the guide contains a wealth of information on cruising routes, cruising preparations, supplies, equipment, licences and documents, useful addresses, books and websites as well as listing around 250 mooring places throughout France and Belgium. The listings include comments on facilities, depths, prices, closest shops, restaurants and nearby attractions. The latest edition also includes details of fuel locations, either alongside or within easy jerrycan distance.

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Boat Owners Association of The United States: “Pay Our Coast Guard” - and so say all of us!

BoatUS is supporting legislation to pay members of the U.S. Coast Guard during the partial government shutdown.

With the federal government shutdown now in its fourth week, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is supporting bipartisan legislation to immediately restore pay for U.S. Coast Guard members. S. 21, “Pay Our Coast Guard Act,” recently introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), and its companion bill, H.R. 367, “Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019,” introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), aims to restore paychecks to the more than 40,000 active duty U.S. Coast Guard service members.

BoatUS is urging recreational boaters to ask their members of Congress for support of S.21 and H.R. 367 and offers a simple way to do that by going to: https://bit.ly/2AMDbJy.

In a January 15 letter to Sen. Thune and Rep. DeFazio, Vice President of BoatUS Government Affairs Chris Edmonston wrote, “While we understand the current debate over funding of the Department of Homeland Security is primarily about issues not directly related to the U.S. Coast Guard, we are concerned over the potential deterioration of its ability to fulfill its wide range of missions including search and rescue, boating safety regulation, and support for aids-to-navigation. We support your effort to ensure that USCG personnel will receive compensation notwithstanding the final passage of the DHS 2019 appropriation legislation. This will allow them to focus on their missions and help ensure the safety of recreational boaters.”

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Propele Electric Boat Motors Announces The EP Carry

Revolutionary Motor Designed Specifically for Dinghies and Tenders

 PropEle Electric Boat Motors, the innovation leader in portable electric propulsion, announced today the EP Carry. Now in full production, the innovative motor system provides lightweight, efficient, simple-to-use propulsion. The EP Carry is designed specifically for dinghies, tenders, small rowing and other craft under 13 feet and 600 pounds. The new product line delivers ship-to-shore simplicity, and quiet electric power with unique, patented features for easy control, comfort and safety.

Weighing in at a mere 14 pounds, the revolutionary EP Carry motor is sold complete with a 7-pound buoyant battery pack – making it the lightest electric motor system on the market and compact enough to easily handle and lift by hand. This light weight, combined with advanced ergonomics, allows for simple and fast set-up and operation, all from a seated position. The motor clamps onto a transom or motor mount and sets up in less than a minute. With a pull on the tiller arm to lift the prop, boaters can beach their dinghy, eliminating the challenges of traditional outboards that require reaching back or latching with a second hand. All controls including reverse gear are within reach at the end of the longest tiller arm of any outboard motor.

In spite of its small size and low weight, the EP Carry provides ample propulsion for one to three hours, depending on the power level selected. Designed to deliver long runtime for multiple ship-to-shore trips, most small boats can expect speeds of 3.5 to 4.2 knots with a range of 3-6 miles per charge. Lithium battery packs offer reliable operation with fast recharge times.

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The Camino Voyage – An Epic 2,500 km Modern Day Celtic Odyssey

The Camino Voyage, a full length feature film by Dónal Ó Céilleachair (pronounced O’Kelleher) of Anú Pictures, left us wishing it wouldn’t end.  We saw it in a special screening as part of the Celtic Camino Festival in Westport, County Mayo. The theatre was packed with Celtic Camino Society members from many countries, including visitors from as far away as Vancouver Canada, the US, Holland, Spain, UK and all over Ireland.

The movie is about a crew – including a writer, two musicians, an artist and a stonemason – who embark on a Camino expedition not by land but by sea in a traditional boat they built themselves. Their naomhóg, a wood-framed canvas covered boat, carried them 2,500 miles in three six-week long stages over three summers across the Irish Sea and the English Channel, along the coasts of France and Northern Spain and canals inland to Santiago de Compostella. They rowed and sailed the entire way, until they reached the last stage. They transported the naomhóg by car to Santiago, then carried her to the entrance of the Cathedral. It was an epic and inspiring journey, often dangerous and always gruelling.

The Camino (the Way) is the name of any of the pilgrimage routes to the shrine of the apostle St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in Northern Spain.  The route they took was once called the Camino Inglés, one of the sea routes. It traditionally started in A Coruña or Ferrol to which pilgrims arrived by boat from Great Britain and Ireland. But the north coast of Spain was deemed too dangerous for the small vessel.

read more & see the trailer

Top 10+ Cookbooks for Boaters - Recipes To Keep Your Crew From Jumping Ship

The Boat Cookbook: Real Food for Hungry Sailors
by Fiona Sims

For anyone with a tiny galley kitchen and an appetite for fresh, gorgeous food, there's good news: no more tins or bland leftovers aboard. These fabulous and easy recipes (all using no more than two pots and taking no longer than 30 minutes) will allow you to spoil yourself in harbour, keep things simple at sea, and make delicious meals and tasty snacks in advance. Featuring baked eggs with salmon, chorizo and chestnut sausage rolls, spicy lamb burgers with tzatziki, herb-stuffed trout, salted caramel and banana crunch, chocolate fruitcake and an amazing rum punch, this is seriously tasty food that's genuinely easy to make.

As well as the author's recipes, there are contributions from top chefs (Chris Galvin, Angela Hartnett, Kevin Mangeolles and Ed Wilson) and sailing legends (Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Brian Thompson and Dee Caffari). There are handy tips on setting up the galley, an idiot's guide to filleting fish, and how to host the perfect beach barbecue, all illustrated with tempting colour photographs and beautiful hand-drawn illustrations.

'There really is something for everyone to try, and enough scope for you to really spoil yourself and your crew the next time you are on board. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I intend to - happy cooking!' Chris Galvin, sailor and Michelin-starred chef

for more cook books or to order thsi one, click here

Skip the Straw - Go Straight for the Drink

Ian Walker tells it like it is - Join him and #SkipTheStraw!

In the U.S. alone, we use more than 500 million plastic straws every day, and most of them end up in our oceans, polluting the water and harming marine life. Boaters can stop this problem - #skipthestraw and go straight for the drink. Join the movement to stop single-use plastic straws:https://www.sailorsforthesea.org/join-our-crew

click here to see the video

Twelve Great Unsung Irish Explorers

From: The Irish Post, June 17, 2015

Irish explorers stand at the heart of the epic story of Antarctic exploration, which is currently commemorating the 100th anniversary of Shackleton’s famous Endurance expedition.

It was an era of discovery echoing with episodes of unimaginable hardship, awe-inspiring endurance and incredible feats of survival. Yet the Irish heroes at the centre of the drama were quickly forgotten and shoved to the margins of history.

The men included the enigmatic Edward Bransfield, the unassuming Francis Crozier, the charismatic leader, Ernest Shackleton and the unsung hero Tom Crean. These men discovered Antarctica, mapped the frozen wastes and were the pathfinders who penetrated the brutal interior, but were soon forgotten.

These men sailed to the ice during Ireland’s period under British rule and after Independence, it was impossible to celebrate any association with the British. With striking symmetry, the age of Antarctic exploration ended with Shackleton’s death on January 5, 1922 — two days before Dáil Éireann ratified the Anglo-Irish Treaty of independence.

Bransfield and Crozier were already footnotes to history and those like Crean, Forde and Keohane, who together had served 80 years in the British navy, were compelled to remain silent about their exploits. Few books were written about these men, no statues were erected and their names faded from history. 

Only now is Ireland starting to recognise these men. Statues have been erected to Crean in Anascaul, Crozier in Banbridge, Forde at Cobh, Keohane in Courtmacsherry and the McCarthy brothers in Kinsale. The cabin where Shackleton died will soon be placed on permanent display in Athy, Kildare. 

read about the explorers here

Navico Appoints Knut Frostad Executive Vice President of Digital Business and Marketing

Knut Frostad Sailing with B&G

Navico, parent company to the Lowrance®, Simrad®, B&G® and C-MAP® brands announced today Knut Frostad has joined the management team as executive vice president of digital business and marketing. Frostad brings extensive industry experience, most recently serving as chief executive officer of Volvo Ocean Race. Furthering Navico’s commitment to leading the industry in providing a fully connected and integrated vessel, which opens the boating eco-system, Frostad will be responsible for enabling a large set of new services for a full end-to-end experience and creating new business models that will drive more valuable interactions with consumers.

A former professional offshore and Olympic sailor, Frostad assumed the role of CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2008 and brought a wealth of knowledge to the race. Having competed in four editions of the event, as helmsman, watch leader and skipper, as well as raising full sponsorship of all his campaigns, he is also recognized for helping the Race achieve true globalization through the use of a comprehensive digital media platform, onboard reporters and a sophisticated race control center in Spain to bring high-quality content to a worldwide audience.

Born in Harstad, Norway, Frostad has mirrored his successful sailing career in the boardroom. He has a business background in management, has held a number of director and advisor positions within international companies, and has been an active Navico board member since 2005 and a driving force in the company. He is also a renowned motivational speaker.

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Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown

To mitigate the impact caused by the partial lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the following actions are being taken:

·         Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended as valid until March 31, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential.

·         Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended to March 31, 2019.

·         Approval to Test (ATT) letters and mariner training course certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended until March 31, 2019.

·         For mariners whose 90-day testing cycles were interrupted by Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26, 2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the 90-day period. REC appointment calendars will be re-opened immediately once appropriations are restored.

·         E-mail any course approval extension requests to NMCCourses@uscg.mil.

The NMC understands the partial shutdown may affect our industry customers and stakeholders and we apologize for any potential inconvenience.

If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

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Anchoring quote of the day:

Quote of the day:

"If your anchor is not holding as well as you might like, consider your options. The insurance of having a good modern anchor may just let you sleep peacefully through the night secure in your chosen anchorage."

https://www.whiteseahorse.ie/publishing/HappyHooking.html

Be ready for boating in the spring by preparing for the winter

December is upon us and winter cold is in full effect throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Many boaters are off the water during the cold months, but safe boating in the spring and summer starts with proper winterization and preparation.

Every year when the boating season opens up, the Coast Guard conducts numerous rescues due to preventable incidents which could have been avoided if the proper steps were taken for winterization and proper inspections were done prior to departing for the first time of the season.

Waiting too long may be a costly mistake. Expanding water can crack an engine block, damage fiberglass, split hoses or destroy refrigeration systems. Since most mariners go out less in the winter, or remove their boat from the water, it is a great time to perform annual maintenance. In addition to saving money, these preventative measures could save your life. 

Through November of 2018, Coast Guard crews in the 5th District responded to 14 search and rescue cases due to dead batteries. There were 119 reported engine failures of different sorts and more than 200 cases were due to operator error.

Doing some preventative maintenance and taking a boating safety course could have prevented many of these potentially life threatening situations. The ocean can be very unforgiving and a disabled boat in the wrong conditions without the right safety gear can be fatal. Ensuring your boat is properly maintained will reduce the chance that you and your loved ones will need to be rescued.

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Anchoring Made Easy

“Anchoring Made Easy” was to have been the title of our anchoring book, had the publisher with whom we wanted to work had his way. Instead we named it “Happy Hooking – the Art of Anchoring”, as hooking your boat to the bottom in a lovely spot should always be fun and easy. Sadly, there are still some people out there who are clearly not having fun when they try to set their hook. We suppose they have not read the book – and their boat may not necessarily always stay put either. As our cruising takes us ever further afield, and we check the cruising guide for the anchorage in the harbor we would like to visit next, we often see statements like “anchorage marked on the chart has poor holding”. I write this as we are (very securely) anchored just below a picturesque castle in a beautiful bay on the west coast of Ireland. Once again the guide notes that this spot has poor holding. It’s at this point that it occurs to us that perhaps it was not the bottom that provided questionable holding but rather the anchor being used when the observation was made that was at fault.

Turkish Bling or the Real Thing?

Rocna and Ultra side by side As anchoring is perhaps the single most important part of boating, any mention of anchoring or gear preferences in the company of sailors is always sure to stir up a storm of commentary from all sides – even from people who may only rarely leave the dock. So when word of Quickline’s introduction of the Turkish manufactured Ultra Anchor to the US marketplace trickled into our consciousness, we just had to take a closer look. Long proponents of what we term as modern generation scoop type anchors, we have several older pieces of hardware decorating our front lawn. These include a huge Luke (fisherman-type), a smaller and very elegant collapsible fisherman, a massive CQR and a well-used Delta (maybe we should start a museum of anchoring). Had we any of the other types of anchors designed to plow, claw or drag through the bottom, these too would have become ornaments. As an old saying goes, “The plow was a great invention until some eejit made an anchor out of it.”

The art of the personal signal

Our personal signal, the white sea horse, which we fly from the starboard spreader of our mizzen mast.

Our white sea horse swallowtail.

Years ago, every sailor had his or her own personal signal (pirate flags were personal signals), which they flew on whatever vessel they were sailing. Most personal signals as of some civilized date were listed in Lloyd's register so you could identify the master of each vessel. The personal signal was usually selected to represent something very meaningful to or about the individual flying it. 

Naturally, the personal signals of the pirates were not registered, although they were pretty well known and so widely recognizable that they did not have to be registered. Take Blackbeard, for example. When he hoisted his particular brand of jolly roger, boats scattered.

The personal signal translated onto a new medium...the spinnaker.

Personal signals of club members are often flown in the clubhouse. 

Today, the personal signal is still developed by proud racers, owners of significant vessels and officers of yachting organizations, although for the most part the tradition has waned in favor of the martini glass, sport fish, or babewatch flag. We, being none of the above, have nevertheless subscribed to the tradition, as we have a famous (or infamous) heritage to reflect. 

You see, we fly the flag of the famous O'Malley queen of the west of Ireland, who commanded many ships, many men, and eventually became a pirate to protect her holdings against the foreign raiders of her lands. Grace O'Malley, aka Granuaille, flew the white sea horse aboard her ship the Moytura.

So we adopted the white sea horse, redrawn and stylized by Alex himself, as our personal signal to honor our family heritage. One of our friends developed his personal signal based on his family member's choices of favorite colors - his wife, his son, and he each have a primary color that they favor and so their personal signal depicts a red circle, a blue circle, and a yellow circle on a white background. Another friend chose a stylized rose on the background of a cross to reflect his English family roots. Another uses a chess piece as an emblem for his name: Bishop. This should give you an idea of places you could look for inspiration for your personal signal.

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Cruising Destinations

Sailing at last! Photo by Chris Gill of Windcheck.

Picking a destination is as easy as it is complex. The first challenge is to answer the question, "Dock, mooring, or anchorage?" The second issue is to master the concept of "Gunkholing." And then there is offshore cruising, ocean passages, and foreign ports...

Gunkholing

"All gunkholes are anchorages, but not all anchorages are gunkholes. There is a subjective quality in the term "gunkhole" that is not present in any anchorage... A gunkhole is that ideal anchorage of which you dream, protected from stronger winds, surrounded by towering trees with seabirds swooping down to catch the jumping bait fish, and with a good bottom for holding the anchor for as long as you care to stay."

Adapted from: Tom Lenfestey, "A Gunkholer's Cruising Guide to Florida's West Coast"

Part of the allure of gunkholes is keeping them a secret to protect their allure. There aren't quite as many gunkholes on LIS as we would like, but we'll tell you about some of our favorite spots without revealing their secrets.

We'll also provide information about the many destinations that are not gunkholes, but rather cruising destinations that offer marinas, anchorages, moorings and other amenities, adding to the collection as time permits. Suggestions, corrections, additions and editorial contributions are welcome.

Just click on a destination on the following pages to view cruising information. If nothing comes up, that means we are working on it and would appreciate your input.

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Your Right to Anchor in Florida Is Once Again in Jeopardy

As the Florida Legislative Session begins, we are once again expecting a slew of bills to be filed that call for banning overnight anchoring in specific areas in Florida.  This has been an on-going issue for several years, and the Seven Seas Cruising Association, as part of a coalition formed to protect Boaters’ Rights, has been successful in keeping most anchorages open for our members.  Please read on for the history of this issue, the expectations for the upcoming legislative session.

History:

For several years, anchorages have been under attack in Florida, sometimes by waterfront home owners who prefer not to have boats anchored in the waterways outside their homes. More often, however, responsible boaters are caught up in the “derelict vessels” issue, which is a serious problem in Florida.   By working with their state legislative delegations to pass restrictions on anchoring in their waterways, municipalities think they’ll have an easier time ridding their area of abandoned boats and/or those anchored with no intention (nor ability, in many cases) of ever moving.

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Coast Guard urges caution ahead of heavy weather conditions along California coast

A Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay 47-foot Motor Lifeboat conducting surf training in heavy weather.

The Coast Guard encourages mariners to prepare for heavy sea conditions and high winds, which are expected to impact the California region over the next few days.

The San Francisco Bay Area is expected to experience gale-force winds up to 40 knots and seas up to 11 feet.  

The Los Angeles area is expected to experience winds up to 35 knots and seas up to 9 feet.

"We encourage boaters to avoid the incoming severe weather if possible," said Lt. Cmdr. John Suckow, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach incident management division chief. "Mariners who need to get underway in these conditions should make sure they check all their survival and safety equipment before going out."

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Cruising Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

A Word of Welcome to Europe’s Most Precious Gem
The Wild West of the Emerald Isle

An essential guide to adventure along the stunning west coast of Ireland

Whether by sea or by land, Cruising the Wild Atlantic Way provides visitors to the west of Ireland with information about what to know before they go and what they will find when they get there. It provides a logical route with suggested stops in picturesque harbours, villages, and islands along the way from Donegal to Cork. It encourages visitors to see the land as it was seen by explorers centuries ago along one of the most unspoiled stretches of coastline in Europe.

Authors Daria and Alex Blackwell share their experience from their years of cruising along the coast and islands, richly illustrating the locations with photography, charts and maps. “We have a unique perspective, having sailed here across the Atlantic then settling here to explore everything the region has to offer. We share insights into what we would have liked to have known as outsiders coming for our first visit as well as insiders who have discovered and explored the hidden gems,” explains Daria.

“I grew up in the environs of Clew Bay, so the West is embedded in my soul,” says Alex, a master mariner and lifetime sailor. “I respect the environment’s changeable and sometimes unforgiving nature, and I revere the unspoilt beauty of the land, the kindness and friendliness of the people, and the richness of the heritage. No matter how far across oceans we have sailed, we have always been drawn home to the wild west. We want to share our passion with those contemplating a visit and encourage them to unleash their adventurous spirit here.”

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Blind Sailor Teams up with Oean Cruising Club Member to Cross the Pacific

Ocean Cruising Club Associate Member and Skipper Doug Smith and his good friend Hiro Iwamoto are scheduled to sail across the Pacific non-stop from San Diego to Fukushima, Japan with a departure date scheduled for February 24th in Dream Weaver, a 41 foot Island Packet. The interesting component here is that Doug is the novice sailor and Hiro is the experienced skipper, but one who happens to be completely blind. This will be Doug’s qualifying ocean voyage for Full Membership in the Ocean Cruising Club. This is not Hiro's first attempt.

Hiro Iwamoto on the dock next to Dream Weaver

Back in 2013, he and another crewmate sailed out of Japan-bound for San Diego, California. Unfortunately, six days into the voyage their 6-ton yacht was taking on water in really rough seas due to unscheduled tussle with a blue whale and an unexpected typhoon 700 nautical miles from land! After radioing in a distress call, the two crewmen were forced to abandon ship into their covered rubber raft where they endured 15 foot waves and 30 knot winds. Sea conditions were so fierce amphibious aircraft were unable to rescue them for eleven hours. Despite this experience, Hiro remains determined to inspire others to overcome adversity and work to achieve their dreams.

OCC Associate Member and Skipper Doug Smith

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President Trump Signs Modern Fish Act - What this means for the nation’s 11 million saltwater anglers

Recreational anglers stand to gain with President Trump’s signing of the Modern Fish Act.

With President Trump’s December 31 signing of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018 (Modern Fish Act), saltwater recreational anglers just got a big leg up when it comes to the federal management of the nation’s fish stocks.

“The Modern Fish Act is a big step forward in recognizing the value of today’s recreational fishing,” said Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “It will help improve public access to America's federal waters and management of fish stock, promote conservation of natural marine resources, and spur economic growth by fixing key issues in the law governing marine fisheries.”

The act authorizes the use of management tools more appropriate for recreational fishing, and seeks out better and more accurate recreational harvest data. It will also study mixed-use fishery allocation and look at the impact and provide recommendations on catch share management programs.

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Draft Merchant Mariner Medical Manual Notification of Availability and Request for Comments

Revised Comment Period: Draft Merchant Mariner Medical Manual Notification of Availability and Request for Comments

The Coast Guard is seeking public comment regarding the draft Merchant Mariner Medical Manual. The guidance in this manual should assist medical practitioners, the maritime industry, individual mariners, and Coast Guard personnel in evaluating mariner applicants’ physical and medical statuses to meet the requirements of the merchant mariner medical certificate. This draft commandant instruction manual incorporates and consolidates prior guidance on the medical evaluation of merchant mariners contained in several Coast Guard documents. The manual includes guidance on the medical certificate and related processes, including procedures for application, issuance, and cancellation of the medical certificate.

The Coast Guard requests public comment on the draft Medical Manual, with emphasis on its readability, clarity, and ease of use. We welcome suggestions on how the manual can be improved.

We are particularly interested in whether the draft manual adequately addresses safety concerns in situations where the Coast Guard receives information indicating that a medical certificate holder has developed a medical condition that poses a significant risk of sudden incapacitation, or is taking a medication that poses a significant risk of impairment.

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Anchoring Basics

A classic yawl enjoying a peaceful anchorage

Sometimes you just want to get away from it all; that’s when a mooring in a crowded anchorage just won’t do. Or what if you arrive somewhere and there are no more guest moorings available? Freedom is being able to drop your hook anywhere you need to without worrying about it letting loose at the worst of moments. We anchor often while we’re away, enjoying the privacy of our chosen locations at least as much as the camaraderie of mooring fields and docks. In all that anchoring, we’ve learned a trick or two we’d like to share.

Most anchorages consist of one of three types of bottoms: mud, sand, or rock, with mud being quite predominant. The cruising guides and harbor charts show you where the best anchorages are and what the bottom composition is likely to be, so there’s not much guesswork. Just bear in mind that how the cruising guides rate an anchorage may have more to do with the anchor they used, than how good or bad the holding actually is.

Usually the anchorages are in the prevailing lee of an island or shore. Depending on the conditions on a given day, different choices may provide the best holding ground in a particular harbor or reasonable access to shore side activities. You’ll have to weigh your options against your plans.

The best anchorage for any particular night depends on the weather conditions predicted. Listen to NOAA weather radio on your VHF first, then choose your spot for maximum protection from the wind and the waves to keep your family snug and comfortable all night long. If a scorcher is predicted, you’ll want to pick a spot where you’ll be able to scoop in some breezy relief.

After countless thousands of miles of cruising and anchoring under many trying conditions, we have settled on a few select anchors onboard. Our primaries have become the Ultra, the Rocna and the Spade, all new generation scoop type anchors. We deploy them off the bow, with all chain rode on the primary and a chain/rope combination on the secondary, and we absolutely need a windlass to manage them. We have been extremely pleased with the performance of each and have rarely had occasion to reset. All have been tested under conditions of more than 50 knots sustained wind and significant chop without incident. All scoop type anchors dig deep as the wind increases, they veer well, and do not pull out with drastic changes in wind and tide.

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