Sailing in and around Puget Sound and planning to sail further
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 The tropical depression I mentioned last night did not sleep when I did, instead it grew in intensity and has been upgraded to a Tropical depression called Douglass. Winds are at 40 mph and while they're not saying for sure its going to hit land if your are on the Baja Peninsula you should be keeping an eye out.
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This is just a tropical depression with winds at about 35kts. It is well off the coast and let's hope it stays that way, the next update is at 0200 PDT. I'll probably be asleep (up doing work tonight), but I'll check in the morning for sure Updated: 11pm EDT Tue Jul 1 2008
Wind: 34 MPH | Location: 15.9N 107.0W | Movement: NW
More Information:
Tracking Map
Public Advisory
Discussion
Coordinates
Computer Models
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Two storms a brewin', actually I guess one is already a storm names Boris. I assume after Boris Godunuv who was truly a bad character. Boris is about 900 kilometers off of Manzanillo and is currently projected to head out to sea. I'm sure the folks on land feel good about that, but I hope none of friends a float are out there. Three-E is about 320km off of Acapulco and also moving out to sea. Updated: 5pm EDT Fri Jun 27 2008
Wind: 51 MPH | Location: 13.3N 109.8W | Movement: NW
More Information:
Tracking Map | Public Advisory | Discussion | Coordinates | Computer Models Updated: 5pm EDT Fri Jun 27 2008
Wind: 34 MPH | Location: 13.5N 123.0W | Movement: WNW
More Information:
Tracking Map | Public Advisory | Discussion | Coordinates | Computer Models
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Blue Water Cruisers need to have all their shots up to date and its also good to know if there are any odd medical issues before you plan to visit someplace. The CDC has a handy site with this information. Link and summary from the Scout Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Travelers' Health [pdf, iTunes] http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx Before any trip, it might not be a bad idea to consult this fine site created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is easy to use, and visitors can get started by using their online "Yellow Book" feature offered on their homepage. With this feature, visitors can look up travel health information for over 90 countries. Further down the homepage, visitors will note that the "Specific Topics" area contains information on required vaccinations, yellow fever, mosquito and tick prevention, avian influenza outbreaks, and other public health matters. Those persons who might be traveling with special needs will want to take a look at the "Special Needs Travelers" section, as it includes updates on travelers with HIV, disabilities, or those who might be ***-feeding. On the right-hand side of the site, visitors can look over the "Announcements" area and also take a look at their podcast series. >From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008. http://scout.wisc.edu/
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Looks like you need to get your self some LONG lines (50') for going through the locks this summer. Army Corps limiting small lock use at Chittenden Locks in Ballard FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Public Affairs Office (206) 764-3750 June 16, 2008 SEATTLE - Vessel operators should be prepared to transit through the large lock at the Chittenden Locks in Ballard this summer because of mechanical problems with the small lock, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, The pintle bearings that support the four gates of the small lock are deteriorating at a rapid rate. To reduce wear on the pintle bearings, the Corps is reducing use of the small lock. This modified operation is intended to reduce the likelihood of complete failure of the gates. The soonest we can have new pintle bearings fabricated is October, said Locks project manager Marian Valentine. The potential for further damage to the gates is increased if we continue to average 240 lockings per week. The small lock will continue to be used for emergency vessels, and for other commercial vessels at the discretion of the lockmaster. The locks are still being operated "on demand" 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Most trips through the locks will experience little, or no, impact. Although the large lock will see more lockages and does use more water, we are able to do this modified operation due to the abundant snowpack and late snowmelt, said Valentine. If water shortage becomes an issue later in the summer, the small locks may return to more frequent operation. We will maximize the use of the large lock by having recreational vessels follow commercial vessels into the chamber. Vessels should allow for potential delays. Kayaks and canoes may not use the large lock. Kayak or canoe traffic through the locks will be seriously impacted. We regret any inconvenience that may occur. All vessels should carry two lines at least 50 feet in length in order to tie up to the wall of the large lock during all tides. More information on the Lake's status is available on the Corps' Seattle District river basin website at http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/basins/lkwash.html
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Inflating seems like one of the key things a liferaft should do. That and float; the rest is just icing after those two are taken care of. Switlik has found some issues with rafts as they've been doing annual servicing. Kudos to them for owning up to the issue and getting the word out! Here's there press release: IF YOU ARE THE OWNER OF A MARINE LIFE RAFT MANUFACTURED BY
SWITLIK PARACHUTE COMPANY,
IT MAY HAVE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE INFLATION SYSTEM.
THIS IS NOT OBVIOUS AND COULD CAUSE FALSE RELIANCE ON A LIFE RAFT
THAT, IF NEEDED, MAY NOT INFLATE AND FUNCTION AS A LIFE SAVING DEVICE. We have had reports recently from two Life Raft Service Stations of Switlik Life Raft inflation valves failing to operate properly and discharge the gas from the CO2 cylinder into the life raft. These malfunctions occurred during performance of annual service and standard 5-year operational and inflation testing. Inspection of these valves indicated clear signs of changes in the consistency of the lubricant and a degradation of the piston O-ring material. This resulted in the O-rings adhering to the pistons and valve bodies, causing the inflation valves to malfunction. We are implementing a corrective action that mandates replacement of the inflation valve with a valve that does not utilize this O-ring material and lubricant combination. While the instances and percentages of improper inflation system operation are relatively small, this issue directly affects whether or not a life raft will properly inflate in case of an emergency. We feel that this valve replacement should occur at your earliest practical opportunity. To facilitate the inflation valve Service Bulletin in the safest and most expeditious manner for you, we will be replacing, at no charge to you, the existing S-2630 inflation valve/s on your life raft. (You are responsible for complying with any normal recommended service procedures and transportation of the Life Raft to and from the service facility.) YOUR SAFETY is of the utmost importance to us! Please contact Switlik Parachute Company at (609) 587-3300 or click here for a listing of our Service Stations to schedule the servicing of your life raft and replacement of the inflation valve. We regret this occurrence and the inconvenience it causes you. Although the probability that your life raft will not work as designed is small, we are addressing this issue by erring on the side of safety. We thank you for your patience while we work to make your time on the water safer. SWITLIK PARACHUTE COMPANY
1325 East State Street, Trenton, N.J. 08609
Phone: (609)-587-3300 Fax: (609)-586-6647
E-Mail: info@switlik.com Web Site: www.switlik.com
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I spoke too soon in my last post. I do have a response from Senator Murray. She is less than clear on whether she is for or against this particular bill, "I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind" is the best she can do. Senator Cantwell's response was much more direct and clear and in support of recreational boaters. We'll have to see how she votes. I can't imagine she wouldn't be in favor given how many boats there are in Washington state. Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act. It was good to hear from you. As you may know, in March 2008, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act. This legislation responds to a recent U.S. District Court ruling that requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a permitting system for all boats discharging water and potential pollutants. The Clean Boating Act includes an exemption for recreation and charter boats and directs the EPA and the Coast Guard to investigate the need for additional management practices for recreational boats. This legislation has been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which I do not sit on. Throughout my tenure in the United States Senate I have fought to protect the quality and integrity of our natural resources and waters. I know having access to diverse recreational opportunities is an important part of the high quality of life we enjoy in Washington state. As S. 2766 is debated in the 110th Congress or as similar legislation on this issue comes up I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind.
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What follows is Senator Cantwell's response to the form letter I sent in asking for her support on keeping recreational boats free from the regulations targeted at shipping vessels carrying ballast water. I also contacted the following public officials and as of yet have not yet received a response: - Governor Gregoire
- Representative McDermott
- Senator Cantwell
- Senator Murray
- President George W Bush
Senator Cantwell's response is obviously a bilk mailer, but that is fine. I appreciate the fact that her office took the time to get back to me and I'm sure all of you who contacted her office via the form at http://www.boatblue.org/. The most important point is in bold at the bottom, basically she's got our back! Thank you for contacting me to express your concern about the inclusion of recreational boaters in a developing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit program. I appreciate you sharing your perspective with me on this issue and sincerely regret the delayed response. As you may know, in 1972, Congress enacted significant amendments to the Clean Water Act in order to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. These changes to the Clean Water Act prohibited the discharge of any pollutant from a point source into navigable U.S. waters without a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 1973, the EPA created regulations to implement the NPDES permitting requirements under the CWA and included a provision that exempted routine vessel discharges. In 1999, Northwest Environmental Advocates (NWEA) petitioned the EPA to repeal the exemption of routine vessel discharges from NPDES permitting requirements contending that the exemption was inconsistent with the Clean Water Act. The primary goal of this petition was to force the EPA to regulate ballast water discharges. Ballast water is sea water that ships carry for stability and maneuverability during transit. There have been widespread concerns for years that improperly handled ballast water could spread invasive aquatic species. The NWEA petition to repeal the exemption was denied by the EPA prompting NWEA to file suit against the EPA. In September 2006, the U.S. District Court for Northern District of California found the EPA's regulation exempting routine vessel discharges from permitting requirements inconsistent with the Clean Water Act and directed the agency to develop an operational discharge permit for all vessels in the United States by September 30, 2008. In the past few months, two bills have been introduced to address your concern about recreational boaters and the court mandated discharge permit program. On February 14, 2008, Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) introduced the Vessel Discharge Evaluation and Review Act (S. 2645). If enacted, this bill would mandate a two-year review of vessel discharges by the United States Coast Guard, during which current EPA discharge exemptions for recreational boats would apply. Once the evaluation is complete, it would direct the Coast Guard to establish uniform national discharge standards for most commercial vessels, with an exemption for vessels that are less than 79 feet in length. Senator Stevens' bill is currently being considered by the Senate Committee on Commerce. The second bill, the Clean Boating Act of 2008 (S. 2766), was introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) on March 13, 2008. If enacted, this legislation would amend the Clean Water Act so that no permit would be required for any discharges resulting from the normal operation of a recreational boat. On May 21, 2008, the Clean Boating Act was approved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and will be available to be brought up on the Senate floor. Please be assured that I am committed to making sure recreational boaters can enjoy their activity without being subject to a permit program intended for ships carrying ballast water.
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I think some of you might be interested in this so I'll share it. I wont' have to make it but if you can go drop me a note and let me know how it was. 2008 Port of Seattle Lunch Bus Series Duwamish River Industry and Habitat Tour - Thursday, June 26
The Port has been working on environmental restoration projects along the Duwamish River for many years including the public access park at Terminal 107, the largest combined shoreline and aquatic habitat restoration site in the Duwamish River estuary. The park offers 2,200 linear feet of shoreline and 2,500 feet of improved pathways.
Carnitech, Cityice and Terminal 91 Tour - Thursday, July 10
The piers at Smith Cove, built in 1913, were one of the Port's first facilities. Today, Terminal 91 is a 152-acre facility with deep water piers that are home to the North Pacific at-sea processing industry. Learn about this vital industry and tour Carnitech, a major manufacturer of seafood processing equipment, and Cityice, a cold storage facility for seafood. Guests will also view the construction of the new cruise ship terminal, scheduled to open in 2009.
Containerized Cargo Tour - Thursday, July 17
Seattle's seaport is a major gateway for two-way trade with Asia. Learn about the Port's cargo operations, trading partners and jobs on the docks. Containers, cargo cranes, trucks and rail comprise a billion dollar business that generates 20,000 jobs and benefits our entire region. Tour will stop at Jack Block Park for a bird's eye view of Terminal 5 and a look at how a terminal expansion program benefited the West Seattle community.
Fishermen's Terminal Tour - Thursday, July 24
Fishermen's Terminal, homeport of the North Pacific fishing fleet since 1913, features moorage and a variety of services for large and small fishing and work boats. In addition to restaurants, retail shops and public access, the Terminal also is home to Fishermen's Memorial, which commemorates those who have lost their lives while fishing. Guests will learn about today's fishing fleet and the $22 million upgrade underway to service one of Seattle's oldest industries. Register today and visit the Events page for more information.
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