HoseCoil Introduces New PRO Series Product Line – Heavy-Duty HoseCoil PRO with a 30% Increase in Flow Rate

HoseCoil, a leading supplier of boat washdown systems, announced today an all new product line – the HoseCoil PRO Series. This new heavy-duty hose is designed to provide all the functionality of the popular Standard Series self-coiling hose but with a larger, half-inch interior diameter for a 30% increase in flow rate.

Available in 15-, 20- and 25-foot lengths, the HoseCoil PRO Series features a larger 4.75-inch diameter coil for better ease of handling and incorporates dual strain reliefs to reduce kinking on either end. The HoseCoil PRO is not only larger in size, it is made with much thicker material for added strength and durability. All models include popular three-quarter-inch garden-style fittings made with brass alloy. Like all HoseCoil products, the PRO Series is made of top-of-the-line, high-performance polyether material that is built to withstand UV and saltwater exposure. Tough and rugged short hoses, the HoseCoil Pro are perfect for cockpit washdown. The PRO Series packaging is attractive, environmentally friendly and compact to reduce shipping costs.

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The extent of sea ice in the Bering Sea has dropped lower than it has been since written records began in 1850.

Bering in dire straits - contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2019), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

The Bering Strait is a sea passage that separates Russia and Alaska. It is usually covered with sea ice at this time of year – but as this image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission on 7 March 2019 shows, it is virtually ice-free.

The Bering Strait is a narrow passage - around 80 km wide - connecting the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The few patches of sea ice are shown in light-blue colours.

The extent of sea ice in the Bering Sea has dropped lower than it has been since written records began in 1850, and is most likely because of warm air and water temperatures. On average, the fluctuating sea ice in this region increases until early April, depending on wind and wave movement.

According to the National Snow & Ice Data Center, between 27 January to 3 March 2019, sea-ice extent decreased from 566 000 sq km to 193 000 sq km. Sea ice was also exceptionally low last year, but it has been reported that this March the extent of sea ice is the lowest in the 40-year satellite record.

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Spring Commissioning Checklist

As part of spring commissioning, boaters should check their boat’s fire extinguishers to see if they were included in a 2017 product safety recall of more than 40 million Kidde fire extinguishers.

With boatyards, backyards, marinas, and clubs now coming to life, spring commissioning time has arrived. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has a Spring Commissioning Checklist to help boaters start the season right:

Before You Launch

1. Inspect and replace hose clamps as necessary. Double-clamp fuel lines and exhaust hoses with marine-rated stainless-steel hose clamps. Keep seacocks closed when you are away from the boat.
2. Inspect all hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and cracking, and replace any that are faulty. Make sure they fit snugly.
3. Inspect prop(s) for dings, pitting and distortion. Make sure cotter pins are secure.
4. Grip the prop (on inboard drive systems) and try moving the shaft up and down and side to side. If it’s loose and can be wiggled, the cutless bearing may need to be replaced.
5. Check the rudderstock to ensure it hasn’t been bent. Operate the wheel or tiller to ensure the steering works correctly.
6. Inspect the hull for blisters, distortions and stress cracks.
7. Make sure your engine intake sea strainer (if equipped) is not cracked or bent from ice and is free of corrosion, clean and properly secured.
8. With inboards, check the engine shaft and rudder stuffing boxes for correct adjustment. A stuffing box should leak no more than two drops each minute when the prop shaft is turning.
9. Inspect and lubricate seacocks.
10. Use a garden hose to check for deck leaks at ports and hatches. Renew caulk or gaskets as necessary.
11. Inspect the bilge pump and float switch to make sure they’re both working properly.
12. Check stove and remote LPG tanks for loose fittings and leaking hoses.
13. Inspect dock and anchor lines for chafe and wear.
14. If equipped, ensure that the stern drain plug is installed.
15. After the boat is launched, be sure to check all thru-hulls for leaks.

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Dates And Highlights Announced for the 49th Annual Newport International Boat Show

 

Premier New England Boat Show Takes Place September 12-15, 2019

 Newport Exhibition Group announced today that its 49^th Annual Newport International Boat Show will take place September 12^ththrough 15^th, 2019 at the Newport Yachting Center in downtown Newport, Rhode Island.

One of the largest in-water boat shows in the country and the premier show in New England, the Newport International Boat Show encompasses over 13 acres of Newport’s famed waterfront and will host hundreds of exhibitors from around the world with new powerboats and sailboats ranging from 15 to 90 feet, plus an extensive selection of marine equipment, services and accessories for boaters.

In addition to the boats, products and services, there will be a wealth of events to educate and entertain visitors, like the ever-popular Confident Captain’s At The Helmin-water instruction program and seminars hosted by America Boating Club. Also, the highly anticipated Newport For New Products (NFNP) program provides attendees with the exciting opportunity to view boats and products making their first-ever debut in the U.S. Each NFNP entry is judged by a panel of experts and awards are given for best new powerboat; sailboat; navigation product; and boating operation, maintenance or safety product, at a ceremony on Friday, September 13^th.

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All-female winners recognised in YJA Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year Awards

Winners, left to right, Tracy Edwards, Nikki Henderson, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Emily Mueller – photos YJA. Tracy, Emily and Nikki Paul Knox-Johnstpn, Tracy, Nikki, Emily and Clifford Webb

Two firsts marked the 2018 Yachting Journalists’ Association Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year Awards: all-female winners and a tie for the YJA Yachtsman of the Year trophy. The awards were held today on the 45th floor of the iconic Leadenhall Building and hosted by MS Amlin Yacht after a breakfast reception celebrating Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s 80th birthday.

Sir Robin, himself a four-time winner of the YJA Yachtsman of the Year trophy, was kind enough to present the awards. The event was also live-streamed which you can replay via this link.

The YJA Young Sailor of the Year was announced first, with 15-year-old Emily Mueller collecting the award for winning the Volvo Gill Optimist British National Championship - only the third ever girl to win the national title.

Emily said on winning the award: “It is just such an honour. I never really expected to go this far in sailing; I just did it for fun at first, but now I love the competitive element. It was all such a surprise because I didn't even know I was nominated. Thank you all so much!”

Next up was presentation of the YJA Yachtsman of the Year voted by its membership. In over 60’s years of the YJA Awards, it was an unprecedented result, with a tie, and so the 2018 YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award was presented to joint winners, Tracy Edwards and Nikki Henderson.

Nikki Henderson made history when at 24 she was the youngest ever skipper to compete in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. By finishing in second place to Australian Wendy Tuck, she secured an all-female one-two.

Nikki mentioned the recognition of female sailors: “It is a step in the right direction. I think it is important to recognise that the Clipper Race aspect isn't just about the female skippers winning, but also the fact that almost half the crews are women. It is a really good example that the sport should not be all male; it should - and can be - a 50:50 mixed sport. I think that is what we really need to push for.”

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Processing Applications for National Officer/Rating Endorsements that Expire on March 24, 2019

The Coast Guard amended regulations to qualify for national officer and rating endorsements in a final rule titled Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, and Changes to National Endorsements (78 FR 77796).  The rule was published on December 24, 2013.  The portions applicable to national endorsements became effective on March 24, 2014.

The final rule provided grandfathering provisions for mariners who began the service and/or training for their endorsement before March 24, 2014.  Under these grandfathering provisions, mariners who began service or training for a national endorsement may qualify for the endorsement under the regulation and polices existing before March 24, 2014, provided they apply for the endorsement before March 24, 2019.

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UK Pleasure vessels visiting Belgium 2019 to pay 100% duty on Red Diesel

The Cruising Association (CA) Regulations and Technical Services Group (RATS) understands that Belgian authorities will continue with the agreement for UK pleasure vessels visiting Belgium that they still have to use our red diesel in the engine fuel tanks for propulsion, certainly for this year.

The conditions are the same as before, in that all diesel purchased prior to departure from the UK to Belgium, or other EU maritime States' marinas and ports, must pay the full 100% duty (and not any lower duty rate) on all the fuel and that it is recorded on the signed invoice for the purchase. This invoice must be on board the vessel (such as with the boats log) in the unlikely event any inspecting Customs official should wish to see it as proof of the duty payment.

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