Local Eco Warrior drafted

 

Local Eco Warrior drafted

 

Whitsunday eco-warrior Libby Edge is drafted into the Green Army with a funding promise from the Liberal National Coalition.

Libby's environmental clean-up operation, Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc, and her mission to clean up marine debris from the Whitsunday islands and Great Barrier Reef waters impressed visiting Shadow Environment Minister, Greg Hunt accompanied by Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen.

Mr Hunt discovered the work Eco Barge Clean Seas is doing and promised that, if elected, the Liberal National Coalition would fund the Eco Barge under the Green Army program with a coordinator and nine trainees for 25 weeks.

Liberal National Coalition Leader Tony Abbott, who has also crewed on Eco Barge, announced the Green Army as a means of helping the environment while training young people in preparation for work.

"The work that Libby and her volunteers do for the Whitsundays makes an immediate positive impact on the marine environment," Dawson MP Mr Christensen said.

"That fits in perfectly with the Liberal National Coalition's policy for Direct Action for the environment."

 "I have had the pleasure of going out with Libby and the Eco Barge and cleaning up some of the beaches and you've only got to look at the volume of debris that comes back on the vessel to understand what a difference it makes," Mr Christensen added.

 

Arctic passage; again

 

Three men who sailed from Newfoundland through the arctic's Northwest Passage are to be congratulated. However, their claim that they "for the first time navigated the once-frozen Northwest Passage, a perilous Arctic route made accessible only because of melting caused by global warming" is clearly wrong as is their further claim that it was "the first time a vessel other than an icebreaker had breached the passage."

The Northwest Passage, the northern-most waterway on the edge of the Canadian Northwest Territories, was first sailed by Roald Amundsen during his 1903-06 voyage. Later, Canadian schooner St Roch set out from Vancouver in 1940 and reached Halifax, Nova Scotia, 28 months later. The 1944 return journey by the St Roch was accomplished in one season, taking only 86 days.

They failed to mention they followed U.K. maritime legend Captain David Cowper; age 70, solo navigating aboard Polar Bound through McClure Strait while on his fourth Northwest Passage through the ice chocked 2012 Arctic.

In 1986-89 Captain David Cowper did it single-handed on his yacht as part of a circumnavigation of the world and in 1990 was voted Yachtsman of the Year.

In 2009 Cowper completing the Northwest Passage single-handed for the third time. He is also the only person to have done it solo in a single season (in 2009) and the first person to have completed an east to west and west to east single-handed transit.

In 1979-82, Kenichi Horie in 'Mermaid' was the first person to do it solo, but took two years having been frozen in.

So, basic history puts the heat on their stated objective of their journey "through the Canadian Arctic on their quest to document the rapidly dwindling polar ice and to bring awareness to the effects of global warming," a theory that might be on thin ice.

NASA officials say the passage known as the Parry Channel, connecting Baffin Bay to M'Clure Strait is the route through the Arctic "most conducive" to large-scale shipping.

 

Stowaway cats

 

Cat mentioned last week is not the first feline to surreptitiously take to the sea as a stowaway. In April 2011, a cat that vanished from his home in New Zealand was found stowed away in a container in Australia after a voyage of 18 days and more than 2,200 miles.  Likewise in November 2009, a cat was found in a container unloaded in the British port of Felixstow after a after a 3,000 mile journey from Egypt.

 

Notice to Mariners

 

Hay Point pilotage area - Mariners are advised that diving operations will continue at the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal until December 23. The dive team will be operating from the vessels 'MV Shadows' and 'Landing Barge Clam' undertaking clearance of the seabed of debris and the replacement of the cathodic Anode System.

A report of activities and daily position to Hay Point VTS and maintain a listening watch on VHF channels 14 and 16. AUS charts 249, 250 & 823

 

Just give me the facts!

 

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored," British author Aldous Huxley, "Proper Studies", 1927

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Boats aargh the sailor's shed

 

Boats aargh the sailor's shed

 

 

With the news that the Men's Shed idea is catching on with both Proserpine and Airlie groups picking up steam aimed at forming groups and seeking venues. We were discussing the idea that lots of blokes have a shed substitute; their boats.

BOAT, or Bring Out Another Thousand, is an all engrossing thing that captivates the mind and provides hours of tinkering, ruminating (rum-inating?) and pondering time for those so hypnotized.

Always something to do on a boat and that is before you even get near the water. They say houses are but badly built boats so where does that leave the average shed?

OK, I have friends with great boats and mates with great sheds. However, the great thing about the Men's Shed idea is that it can help get the guys together to discuss secret men's stuff - you know, plumbing, whether the lights are on, who's gone fishing. That sort of stuff.

So if you can drag yourself away from your boat or home shed, the Men's Shed is looking for you. Cheers!

 

Art and the Sea:

 

The plan for a new artificial reef was wonderful, and beautifully executed until the very last minute. Artist Chris Wojcik had constructed a 47-foot-long, 25,000-pound concrete sculpture of a horseshoe crab, which was welded to two barges that was to be sunk in the Atlantic off the New Jersey shore as a new artificial reef, providing both a new habitat for sea life and a destination for recreational divers. The project was dubbed "Art as Reef."

The crab sculpture was towed out to the reef site in the Atlantic on Axel Carlson Reef, in 80 feet of water, 4.4 miles from Manasquan Inlet. Everything went well until the after crane strap broke. Instead of a level sinking, the barge sank unexpectedly, cracking and crushing the concrete sculpture.  As reported by the Asbury Park Press: "It's cut in pieces and unrecognizable," artist Chris Wojcik said after diving on the artificial reef.

While it may not be the work of art intended, the broken crab and barge will still serve as an artificial reef, providing a new habitat for marine life.

 

Captain Costa Quid

 

In the moments following the Costa Concordia striking Le Scole Rock off the island of Giglio, Italy on January 13, Captain Francesco Schettino's voice can be heard on a voice-data recording muttering, "Madonna, what a mess I've made…"

The 270-page report by court appointed experts agrees fully with the captain. The report blames Captain Schettino for action and inaction leading up to and following the collision that resulted in the deaths of 32 passengers and crew on the ill-fated cruise ship. The report charges that the captain delayed issuing the order to abandon ship for almost an hour. When the order was given, it was not given by the captain, as required by regulations, but by a subordinate officer. Captain Schettino also failed to alert port authorities about the accident and left the ship before the passengers.

In all, the experts said, Schettino and his bridge crew showed "scarce professional seriousness" with Schettino joking just before the crash, "do it right otherwise we go on the rocks."

 

Titanic divers

 

You have to love the Irish…… After 100 years lying on the sea bed, Irish divers were amazed to find that the Titanic's swimming pool was still full.

 

Down the coast

 

Shoalwater Bay - live firing - Mariners are advised that live firing activities will be conducted in the marine component of the

Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Thursday, 4 October to Wednesday, 10 October.

The Marine Danger Area includes all waters, creeks, beaches and other areas not available for access throughout.

Pursuant to section 53 of the Defence Force Regulation 1952, any person or vessel found within the Marine Danger Area of the Gazetted Defence Practice Area commits an offence. Section 54 of the Defence Force Regulation 1952, persons or vessels may be removed by Australian Defence Force personnel, the Queensland Police and you pay costs. The Defence Practice Area has been expanded and may be inconsistent with the area currently represented on some available marine charts and land maps.

Mariners are requested not to approach within 500m or missile range of any military vessel involved in the exercise. AUS charts 260, 327 & 822

 

Danger!

 

"The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything - or nothing"   British MP Viscountess Nancy Astor

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Boats aargh the sailor's shed

 Boats aargh the sailor's shed

  

With the news that the Men's Shed idea is catching on with both Proserpine and Airlie groups picking up steam aimed at forming groups and seeking venues. We were discussing the idea that lots of blokes have a shed substitute; their boats.

BOAT, or Bring Out Another Thousand, is an all engrossing thing that captivates the mind and provides hours of tinkering, ruminating (rum-inating?) and pondering time for those so hypnotized.

Always something to do on a boat and that is before you even get near the water. They say houses are but badly built boats so where does that leave the average shed?

OK, I have friends with great boats and mates with great sheds. However, the great thing about the Men's Shed idea is that it can help get the guys together to discuss secret men's stuff - you know, plumbing, whether the lights are on, who's gone fishing. That sort of stuff.

So if you can drag yourself away from your boat or home shed, the Men's Shed is looking for you. Cheers!

 

Art and the Sea:

 

The plan for a new artificial reef was wonderful, and beautifully executed until the very last minute. Artist Chris Wojcik had constructed a 47-foot-long, 25,000-pound concrete sculpture of a horseshoe crab, which was welded to two barges that was to be sunk in the Atlantic off the New Jersey shore as a new artificial reef, providing both a new habitat for sea life and a destination for recreational divers. The project was dubbed "Art as Reef."

The crab sculpture was towed out to the reef site in the Atlantic on Axel Carlson Reef, in 80 feet of water, 4.4 miles from Manasquan Inlet. Everything went well until the after crane strap broke. Instead of a level sinking, the barge sank unexpectedly, cracking and crushing the concrete sculpture.  As reported by the Asbury Park Press: "It's cut in pieces and unrecognizable," artist Chris Wojcik said after diving on the artificial reef.

While it may not be the work of art intended, the broken crab and barge will still serve as an artificial reef, providing a new habitat for marine life.

 

Captain Costa Quid

 

In the moments following the Costa Concordia striking Le Scole Rock off the island of Giglio, Italy on January 13, Captain Francesco Schettino's voice can be heard on a voice-data recording muttering, "Madonna, what a mess I've made…"

The 270-page report by court appointed experts agrees fully with the captain. The report blames Captain Schettino for action and inaction leading up to and following the collision that resulted in the deaths of 32 passengers and crew on the ill-fated cruise ship. The report charges that the captain delayed issuing the order to abandon ship for almost an hour. When the order was given, it was not given by the captain, as required by regulations, but by a subordinate officer. Captain Schettino also failed to alert port authorities about the accident and left the ship before the passengers.

In all, the experts said, Schettino and his bridge crew showed "scarce professional seriousness" with Schettino joking just before the crash, "do it right otherwise we go on the rocks."

 

Titanic divers

 

You have to love the Irish…… After 100 years lying on the sea bed, Irish divers were amazed to find that the Titanic's swimming pool was still full.

 

Down the coast

 

Shoalwater Bay - live firing - Mariners are advised that live firing activities will be conducted in the marine component of the

Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Thursday, 4 October to Wednesday, 10 October.

The Marine Danger Area includes all waters, creeks, beaches and other areas not available for access throughout.

Pursuant to section 53 of the Defence Force Regulation 1952, any person or vessel found within the Marine Danger Area of the Gazetted Defence Practice Area commits an offence. Section 54 of the Defence Force Regulation 1952, persons or vessels may be removed by Australian Defence Force personnel, the Queensland Police and you pay costs. The Defence Practice Area has been expanded and may be inconsistent with the area currently represented on some available marine charts and land maps.

Mariners are requested not to approach within 500m or missile range of any military vessel involved in the exercise. AUS charts 260, 327 & 822

 

Danger!

 

"The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything - or nothing"   British MP Viscountess Nancy Astor

 

Fair winds to Ye!

Cap'n Dan

 

Cap'n Dan is a regular broadcaster on ABC Radio Tropical North