Cruising Life

Titanic Key Sells for $104,000

By Peter Janssen on October 24, 2016 Cruising Life

Even after a century, interest in the Titanic goes on and on. Indeed, at an auction in London, a key to a lifejacket locker on the doomed liner just sold for the equivalent of $104,000, far more than had been anticipated. The key had been found on the body of a steward, Sidney Sedunary, 23, who was last seen alive handing out lifejackets to passengers as the ship was sinking. Earlier, the sextant belonging to Sir Arthur Rostran, captain of the Carpathian, which arrived at the scene two hours after the Titanic sank and rescued 700 passengers, sold for the…

Video: Need for Lights on Miami Jetty Where Fernandez Died

By Peter Janssen on October 24, 2016 Cruising Life

We all can relate to this: A night entry into a busy harbor with a lot of light pollution all around, and a 1,000-foot-long jetty off your starboard side that barely rises above the waterline. Hmmm. This is what Miami star pitcher Jose Fernandez faced last month when he ran his center console onto that jetty at a high speed about 3 in the morning, killing himself and his two companions. Watch this video from the Miami Herald and you’ll understand the problem. Yes, Fernandez probably was going too fast. Yes, authorities said he had been drinking. Yes, he…

Popular Ranger Rendezvous in the San Juans

By Peter Janssen on October 20, 2016 Cruising Life

Here’s a great picture of the annual rendezvous of some 150 Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats at Roche Harbor in the San Juans, one of the biggest gatherings of boat owners in the United States at one of the best cruising destinations in the United States. To continue the superlatives, Fluid Motion, LLC, the parent company for Ranger and Cutwater, is one of the most successful boat companies in the United States – having started with a 21-Ranger Tug in 1999 and now producing hundreds of Rangers and Cutwaters in six factories throughout Washington State. (See our “Boat Reviews” section…

Tragic Video: Two Dead as Cat Flips on Potomac Radar Run

By Peter Janssen on October 18, 2016 Cruising Life

This is just a tragic accident: A 36-foot cat flipped during a timed radar run on the Potomac River near Fairview Beach, Virginia. The driver and throttle man were both thrown from the boat and died. The cat had been timed at 170 mph earlier in the day. I personally how how boats travel right on the edge of control/disaster at these speeds, since I once drove a 47-foot Fountain cat 162 mph. At that speed a puff of wind, something in the water or an error in judgment can easily mean an upside down boat and catastrophe for the…

Report from Annapolis: “Best Show in Years”

By Peter Janssen on October 17, 2016 Cruising Life

The Annapolis Powerboat Show just ended, and the reviews are coming in: “Best Annapolis in recent years” – Dave Northrop, director of sales and operations, Americas, for Grand Banks and Palm Beach Yachts. “Our attendance was 4.8% better than 2015 and the best since pre-2008.” – Paul Jacobs, show president and general manager. “The overall attitude of customers was more positive than any of us can remember.” – Jeff Messmer, VP of Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats. “It looks like it will be a great show.” – Bentley Collins, VP of Sabre and Back Cove Yachts. “We were so busy,…

Incredible Video: Great White Inside Shark Cage

By Peter Janssen on October 16, 2016 Cruising Life

Off the coast of Mexico, a great white shark trying to eat some tuna actually bit through the side of a shark cage, with the diver inside, and then fought its way out, while the diver swam under the cage to safety. Here’s an incredible video, shot from the dive boat. https://gcaptain.com/viral-video-great-white-shark-breaches-dive-cage-diver-inside/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptain.com%29

Is the Great Barrier Reef Toast? Read this…

By Peter Janssen on October 14, 2016 Cruising Life

The Great Barrier Reef off the eastern coast of Australia has been around for 25 million years, stretching over 1,400 miles and containing some 2,900 individual reefs, not to mention 1,625 species of fish and 450 species of coral. But now with climate change and warmer water and catastrophic bleaching, according to this story 50 percent of the coral in the warmer, northern section has already died. What happens next? http://www.outsideonline.com/2112086/obituary-great-barrier-reef-25-million-bc-2016?utm_content=buffera9dd8&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=facebookpost

Boat Starts to Sink; Coast Guard Rescues Three Men, Two Dogs

By Peter Janssen on October 14, 2016 Cruising Life

I’m partial, but I’ve always got to hand it to the Coast Guard for being there when you need them. Latest example: When the Coast Guard near New Orleans got a call that a powerboat was sinking off Dauphin Island, Alabama, they launched a 45-foot fast response boat and two helicopters. The rescue boat got there first and plucked three men and two dogs from the water. If you look the picture, I think you’d agree that the Coast Guard got there just in time. http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-rescues-3-people-2-dogs/2016/10/12/

David Cowper Conquers Most Dangerous Spot in Northwest Passage

By Peter Janssen on October 12, 2016 Cruising Life

There’s little doubt that David Cowper is one of the most accomplished blue-water adventurers in the world today. Back in 1982, he became the fastest person to sail single-handed around the world. He’s sailed around the world both ways. He’s also sailed around the world, single-handed, through the Northwest Passage, which has almost become a second home for Cowper, since he’s actually transited it five times. Now, in his 48-foot aluminum powerboat named Polar Bound, Cowper and his son transited one of the Northwest Passage’s most dangerous areas, the Hecla and Fiury Straits. They were the first people to…

After Matthew, Here’s What’s Open, What’s Still Damaged

By Peter Janssen on October 11, 2016 Cruising Life

Here’s a comprehensive list of marinas and facilities from the Carolinas to the Bahamas, telling what’s open, what’s closed and what’s somewhere in between. If you’re planning a trip to any of these areas, or if you’re already there, take a look. It also has an interactive element so you can help update the situation in your own area. http://ahoy.dockwa.com/hurricane-matthew-marina-status?utm_campaign=Hurricane%20Matthew%20-%20Hurricane%20Hole%20Marinas&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

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