Bluewater Weekend set to inspire offshore sailors

Bluewater Weekend: 22-23 June 2019, Lymington UK

Rally organisers World Cruising Club, best known for the annual ARC - Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, have joined together once again with leading offshore yacht broker Berthon International, to host a weekend of conversation about bluewater cruising at Berthon's Lymington UK base in June 2019.  This popular weekend is designed to encourage visitors think about all aspects of living their bluewater dream, providing the opportunity to view a wide range of offshore cruising boats and meet experts in refits, sails, communications and boat equipment, all whist mixing and chatting with experienced offshore cruisers in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

The two day event is free to attend, but prospective bluewater sailors will need to pre-register. During the weekend, a selection of fine examples of bluewater boats will be open for viewing, hosted by experienced offshore skippers, many of whom have sailed the ARC or around the world.  Mix, mingle and chat about bluewater sailing is the aim of the weekend.

"There was great mix of people and a number of boats to have a nose around." said Chris Regnart who attended last year's event. He will soon be setting off on his own ocean adventures with ARC 2019, and circumnavigating with World ARC in 2020. "A really worthwhile event for anyone starting to plan a bluewater cruising trip. During the weekend, meeting other owners was really helpful and I got a few really useful tips to consider for my own boat. It was inspiring and well worth attending."

Balancing out the dockside chat will be a series of seminar presentations and discussions about how to embark on your bluewater dream. For those in the market, Berthon's brokerage team will share the story of a boat purchase and refit, drawing on their years of experience guiding purchasers through the process. Using practical examples, the session will cover the journey of a boat from a broker's cradle ashore to far afield cruising grounds, covering common questions on surveys, VAT, refitting priorities and budgets.

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Saint Lucia Welcomes the Return of World ARC Circumnavigators

Rally concludes with a special day of celebrations for round the world sailors

Fiji, Musket Cove

Round-the-world rally World ARC 2018-19 officially came to an end on Saturday 13th April with a special day of celebrations to mark the conclusion of this unique sailing journey. Returning to the shores of Saint Lucia, thirty-eight crew members of sixteen yachts completed their global circumnavigation that has seen them cross three oceans and visit in excess of eighteen countries during an unforgettable voyage supported by rally organisers World Cruising Club. Sailing in company to beautiful, fascinating and welcoming places and covering some 26,000nm has been 'a truly memorable experience', bringing together a diverse band of sailors from all over the world who now join a select group of people who have circumnavigated the world on board their own boats.

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To wrap or not to wrap? – that should not be a question - Preserving your headsai

Sails are an expensive part of a sailboats inventory, costing thousands apiece. As such, they warrant a modicum of due care and attention.

Wherever one goes, one will see boats where the headsail has been furled up with a triangle showing. It is assumed that there is some aesthetic reason for the skipper doing this. Then there is the lazy furling job. The headsail is furled, but the sheets are left loose.

Even though it may be thought to look good or perhaps seaman-like, the problem is that in either of these scenarios, the wind can and will catch the sail. It does not the even require a particularly strong wind for the headsail to become partially of even completely unrolled. The resulting flapping can and will cause catastrophic damage.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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