Cruising Life

Sandy Hook Harbor Pilots: “Lords of the Harbor”

By Peter Janssen on November 17, 2016 Cruising Life

Ever since 1694, the Sandy Hook Pilots Association has been helping ship captains safely navigate the shifting currents, sandbars, fogs, and other marine traffic in and out of New York Harbor, the busiest harbor on the East Coast. Often, simply getting to or from the large ship becomes a matter of skill, timing and courage. But, over the years, these pilots have done their jobs so well that they are often called “Lords of the Harbor.” Here’s a look at one pilot who recently helped the Queen Mary 2 safely navigate the harbor and head out to sea: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/nyregion/at-sea-with-new-york-harbors-channel-masters.html

Catch Up with the Parkers, If You Can

By Peter Janssen on November 15, 2016 Cruising Life

You’d be hard put to find more couples with more cruising miles under their belts on the same boat than Jeff and Suzie Parker, from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Ten years ago they bought their Kadey-Krogen 48, Idyll Time, and they – with their two dogs and two Amazon parrots – have been going strong ever since. The Parkers have already completed the Great Loop and now they’re cruising a bit closer to home. In their latest blog, covering a short cruise from Manteo to Ocracoke near the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Jeff learns that even the most experienced cruiser can…

Columbia River Bar Pilot: Toughest Job in the World?

By Peter Janssen on November 15, 2016 Cruising Life

Next time you start to worry about your commute to work, remember this video of a Columbia River Bar pilot climbing down a pitching ladder from a large ship in a storm to get back to his own pilot boat. This is not for the faint of heart. Hang on to your chair; this is one of the most dramatic videos I’ve ever seen. All in a day’s work: http://www.opb.org/news/article/columbia-river-bar-pilot-weather-goes-wrong/

Once Proud Presidential Yacht Sequoia, Now “Home to Raccoons,” Sold to Foreign Investors for $0

By Peter Janssen on November 15, 2016 Cruising Life

The former Presidential yacht Sequoia, a classic 104-foot, 1926 Trumpy, is being sold to a group of investors in India for zero dollars to settle a lawsuit filed in Delaware. First used by President Hoover, the yacht was sold in 1977 by President Carter and was last bought by a Washington lawyer who used it for private charters. He ultimately borrowed money from the Indian group for repairs, which resulted in the lawsuit. In his ruling, the Delaware judge said, “The Sequoia, an elderly and vulnerable wooden yacht, is sitting on an inadequate cradle on an undersized marine railway in…

Scary Video of Boat Heading Out to Sea After Mooring Line Breaks

By Peter Janssen on November 14, 2016 Cruising Life

This pretty much qualifies as every boat owner’s nightmare. The mooring line breaks after a heavy rain and your boat heads out to sea, all on its own. There is a happy ending here, but it’s not easy getting there. Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0oZADZxKkY&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs

New Video of Largest-Ever Ranger Tugs Rendezvous

By Peter Janssen on November 12, 2016 Cruising Life

Here’s a new video of the Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats rendezvous this summer in Roche Harbor, in the San Juan Islands above Seattle. With 158 boats, this probably was the largest owners’ rendezvous ever. And it was really fun, as you can see. But then, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself at Roche, one of the most beautiful cruising destinations on either coast. Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG0Pmw4y9DE

Two Men Drown after Mako 21 Capsizes Off Jupiter Inlet

By Peter Janssen on November 10, 2016 Cruising Life

Two men died after their 21-foot Mako center console capsized going out of Jupiter Inlet near Palm Beach, Florida. The men were heading east about 7 a.m., when the boat hit several heavy waves head-on and turned over. Both men were rescued from the water but died later in the hospital. The boat washed up on the beach. A beautiful inlet, Jupiter also has a reputation for being potentially dangerous with strong currents, a narrow entrance and a shifting sandbar. Here’s the full story. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/local/fwc-okeechobee-men-ages-killed-boat-wreck-off-jupiter-inlet/BGAHcIj9dPqatLZPvb1mpO/

Baja Bash on a Nordhavn 50; Climb Aboard

By Peter Janssen on November 9, 2016 Cruising Life

Ron and Nancy Goldberg are experienced cruisers from San Diego. Their Nordhavn 50, Duet, is their third cruising boat, and they plan to take it across the Pacific at some point. But in this story, Baja Bash, they tell about their recent 950-nm trip north from the tip of the Baja Peninsula up to Ensenada, and not all of it was fun. Here’s a great story that will take you along for the ride. http://seamagazine.com/this-too-shall-pass/

What’s Going on in Bella Bella?

By Peter Janssen on November 9, 2016 Cruising Life

Over the years, I’ve cruised through this area near Bella Bella, B.C., many times. It has some of the most beautiful scenery on the entire Inside Passage. But now there have been two accidents in the past month involving a barge that turned over and sank in heavy weather and a tug that ran aground, sank and released large quantities of diesel fuel that have raised questions about marine safety in the area. The Heiltsuk First Nation is seeking a moratorium on oil tankers all along the northern British Columbia coast, plus improvements in boating safety. The life ring pictured…

Manatees Return: Here’s How to Keep Them Safe

By Peter Janssen on November 9, 2016 Cruising Life

Manatees are back in Florida; the manatee slow-speed restricted zones go into effect this Sunday, Nov. 13. These smile-producing creatures grow to 9-10 feet and weigh about 1,000 pounds, and they’re totally harmless. Every year this time they head south as the water cools; they can’t tolerate water colder than 68 degrees, and they tend to congregate near power plants. Unfortunately, they also swim where boats cruise; last year 80 were killed by boats in Florida alone. Here’s a good story about what you can do to keep them alive and well: https://southernboating.com/manatees-return/?utm_source=SE+non-spon+manatees+20161108&utm_campaign=SE+%28manatee%29+11%2F9%2F16&utm_medium=email

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