Cruising Shot of the Week

Serena Ray, a Nordhavn 47, anchored off of Cabo San Lucas. "We sailed for over 40 years, most recently on our 48' Bruce Bingham Ketch, and then took delivery of Serena Ray last April in Seattle, WA. Since then we have logged over 5,000 nm's (Seattle to Alaska and then down to Mexico, where we are now). In the fall, we will travel south to Central America, Panama Canal, San Blas and then on to Cartagena, Colombia." Sent in by John and Rosie Olson - M/V Serena Ray www.twoeagerdreamers.blogspot.com. 

Have a cool cruising shot to share? Send it to us at: comments@cruisingcompass.com.

Welcome to Cruising Compass! Bringing you your weekly fix of news, notes and tips for cruisers and sailors.

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-Your Cruising Editor, Nancy Birnbaum

Dock Talk

Arson Fire Destroys University of New Hampshire Boathouse

The University of New Hampshire boathouse in Barrington burned to the ground on Wednesday, March 3, as frustrated firefighters struggled to first locate the fire and then reach the site over an unplowed road. The boathouse on Mendum's Pond was used by the UNH sailing team for storage of sailboats and gear, said university spokesman Erika Mantz. Barrington Fire Chief Rick Walker estimated the loss at $400,000.

The sailing season starts over spring break, and it's too early to say what plans will be for this year, she said.

"The club's team raises almost every penny for boats, equipment, regatta travel, coach’s salaries and so forth. The sailors maintain all the boats, build the docks and essentially develop an ongoing deep sense of pride, commitment and leadership by being members of the UNH Sailing Team. We are extremely saddened by our loss but are grateful for the many emails, phone calls and offers of support. This team will not be shut down. We will rebuild the Center, acquire boats and become stronger through adversity. Hopefully through the support of the greater community of sailing that process will happen sooner than later. We open our spring season this weekend at the Thames River Team Race," Said Diana Weidenbacker, Head Coach, UNH Sailing Team. Members of the University of New Hampshire sailing team barely had to time to grapple with the total loss of their equipment and boats before learning the fire was arson. The state fire marshal's office officially confirmed Friday morning that arson was the cause of the fire at the closed-up boathouse off Route 4 near Mendum's Pond in Barrington, reaffirming the suspicions of the handful of team members that were on scene at the fire. The blaze destroyed 55 boats, five motors, three launches, trailers and additional equipment — totaling a complete loss for both the sailing team, the UNH Community Sailing Program, a summer program for youths between 6 years old and 18 years old, and a combined junior and senior high school sailing team. From: fosters.com and theunionleader.com. You can visit the Team website at: www.unh.edu/sailing-club/.

NMMA Following New Boating-Related Bills

The National Marine Manufacturers Association is closely following boating-related bills in the following states:

Florida: Less than a year after the Florida legislature enacted a boater-friendly law to prevent counties and cities from restricting the anchorage of cruisers, state Rep. Richard Steinberg (D-Miami Beach) has introduced HB 1361 to reverse that stance. A patchwork of restrictions in several coastal counties currently limits anchorage to as little as two days. Miami Beach, which has a seven-day restriction, was among the first to enact the limits to mollify waterfront property owners. NMMA and marine trade associations statewide are strongly opposing this bill.

Illinois: Illinois Sen. Don Harmon recently introduced a bill to require that a life jacket be worn by anyone who is the sole occupant of a boat less than 26 feet long. Harmon believes SB 3060 will provide a needed margin of safety when a person who is the only occupant of a boat is unable to summon assistance if he falls overboard or is involved in an accident. SB 3060 is the latest of several bills seeking to mandate the wearing of life jackets.

Maryland: Attorney general Douglas F. Gansler is pushing a bill to ban treated and untreated sewage discharge from commercial and recreational vessels in all Maryland waters, including a majority of the Chesapeake Bay. The NMMA is concerned about HB 1257's requirements because of the lack of pumpout stations serving Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and because many recreational boats with Type 1 and 2 treatment systems do not have holding tanks. From: tradeonlytoday.com.

British Couple Held by Somali Pirates Could Be Fee Within Days



Paul and Rachel Chandler, the British couple who have been held hostage by Somali pirates for more than four months, could be free within days, according to a member of the country's administration.

Professor Mohamed Omar Dalha, deputy speaker of the parliament in the East African state, has claimed that negotiations for the pair's release were progressing quickly and pledged that they would be freed "within ten days," according to the Daily Mail.

The gang that kidnapped the Chandlers from their yacht have said they want a multi-million dollar ransom and have threatened to shoot the couple if they don't get the money. But Professor Dalha claimed the pirates were close to relenting and releasing the Chandlers, whose health has suffered greatly since their detention began.

"We have sent a representative to Haradheere (the district of Somalia where the Chandlers are being held) and for the past week talks with the pirates have been going on day and night," he told the Daily Mail. "We are appealing to them through their traditional and religious leaders, as well as their own brothers and sisters - people they know and trust - and at last they are listening. "We are optimistic that the Chandlers will be released within a week or ten days at most, without condition. I am absolutely confident that by the end of next week they will be on their way home to Britain."

Mr Chandler, 60, and his wife, 56, were captured on Oct 23, 2009 as they sailed aboard their yacht Lynn Rival from the Seychelles to Tanzania. Photo: 'British couple Paul and Rachael Chandler speak in Somalia.' / C4. From: telegraph.co.uk.



Ida Lewis Distance Race Announces Youth Challenge

Junior sailors from Narragansett Bay and the surrounding region will be able to extend their summer sailing season this year by 150 miles. The Organizing Committee of the link|Ida Lewis Distance Race|http://ildistancerace.org/] has announced the introduction of its Youth Challenge--aimed specifically at introducing junior sailors to offshore sailing--for this year’s sixth edition of the race, scheduled to start on Friday, August, 20, 2010. To qualify for the Youth Challenge, more than 50% of the crew must have reached their 14th birthday but not their 19th birthday prior to August 20, 2010. Boats may have junior crew members outside those parameters; however, they will not count towards the youth component. Adults (minimum two aboard, one of whom must be designated as the Captain) will make up the balance of the crew, but it is intended that the adults serve only in a supervisory capacity. Teams must be registered under the flag of a US SAILING yacht club or community sailing establishment. All youth sailors will be required to attend a brief informational meeting the evening prior to the race (participants of all ages welcome), and they will be encouraged to attend one of the Storm Trysail Club Foundation’s Junior Safety at Sea Seminars. Photo: 'Tom Rich’s (Middletown, R.I.) mostly teenage crew aboard the Peterson 42 Settler finished second in the 2006 Ida Lewis Distance Race.'/ Billy Black. MORE: Visit the website or contact Youth Challenge Coordinators Joe Cooper, 401-965-6006, and Andy Dickinson, 401-423-0600. There is also a Facebook Page for the Ida Lewis Distance Race. Online registration is open through August 6.

30th Annual Heineken Regatta – The Results Are In

Over 2,500 sailors and their friends enjoyed spectacular sailing conditions, a variety of courses and diverse entertainment during the four-night and three-day 30th Annual Heineken Regatta. The Heineken Regatta victory went to Tom Hill's Titan 15!, a Reichel/Pugh 75, which posted three first and two second place finishes. Vela Veloce, Canada's Richard Oland's Southern Cross 52 corrected out over Rambler, Highland Fling, Privateer and Equation in the six-boat division. Titan 15! is the overall winner and Fritz Duda's Sin Duda! handily took the Spinnaker 2 Division. KH + P, Let Me Go and Coco de Mer won the Bareboat 6 and Gunboat Divisions with perfect scores. Honorable mention goes to Safe Passage Sailing, with their Farr 65. They finished ninth in the Gill Commodores Cup. MORE: 30th Annual Heineken Regatta Results.

'The Cove' Wins at 2010 Oscars

Marine life fared well on Sunday night at the 82nd Academy Awards held in Los Angeles. The Cove, a movie which has been called the scariest and most important dolphin movie you'll ever see, won the Oscar for Best Documentary. The Japan hunting town which was villainously depicted in the film, is already bitter about the Oscar win. The Cove is now out on DVD and Digital Download! Named by the National Board of Review as the best documentary of the year and recently shortlisted for the Academy Awards, “The Cove” follows an Oceans Eleven-style team of underwater sound…Read More online at BWS.com.

Tech Talk

Simrad Yachting Launches Spring Sales Event

Simrad Yachting, the market leader in marine electronics for recreational boating, announced today a limited-time Spring Sales Event promotion that provides cash rebates on its most popular products. Beginning March 1, 2010 through May 31, 2010, consumers who purchase qualified Simrad Yachting marine electronics from an authorized dealer will receive the following cash rebates:

Eligible Products Rebate Amount

NSE12 12” Multifunction Display System $150

NSE8 8” Multifunction Display System $100

AP24/28 Autopilots with AC12/42 Computer $100

GS15 GPS Antenna $50

BR24 Broadband Radar $100

See the entire list of electronics that qualify for the rebate online at BWS.com.

Petit Announces New Recovery Rebate On All Your Marine Paint



Showing it's commitment to its customers during these hard times, Pettit Marine Paint is offering a new rebate program, 'an economic recovery package boaters can take to the bank.' Between March 1 and May 31, 2010, Pettit is offering rebates up to $20 per gallon on select Pettit antifouling paint. "We understand what people are going through, which is why we're striving to find ways to make boating more affordable," said Pettit director of sales and marketing Don Zabransky. With soaring raw materials prices, Pettit has found ways to reduce manufacturing costs without cutting back on biocide levels in its bottom paint. The company's customer-first philosophy enables Pettit to offer superior value in its products, even during these uncertain times. MORE: www.pettitpaint.com/recovery. Requests must be postmarked by June 15, 2010. Limit two rebates per household or individual.

Cool Things To Do

Mystic Seaport Adventure Series – Sailing The Amazon, March 18, 2010

Blue-water sailors Bob and Ami Green will share details about their three-year-long sail in their talk “If You’re Ever in the Amazon...” at the Mystic Seaport Adventure Series Thursday, March 18. Presentations will be given at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Mystic Art Cinema in Olde Mistick Village. The series has been moved from its original location at Seamen’s Inne due to the restaurant’s ongoing renovations. Mystic-area restaurants Steak Loft, Go Fish, Ten Clams, Peking Tokyo and the newly-opened Mango’s Wood-Fired Pizza Company will offer a 10-percent discount off either lunch or dinner to attendees on the day of the program upon presentation of their ticket.

The Greens returned to the sea in 2005 after a three-year hiatus caused by the loss of their yacht Scallywag. Leaving Rhode Island on Scallywag II bound for the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the couple sailed home three years later, making stops in Cape Verde, Senegal and Brazil. They ended their voyage with a thousand-mile cruise down the Amazon River, taking in the region’s sights, music, sounds and stories. Tickets are $14 ($12 for members) for the afternoon program and $15 ($13 for members) for the evening program. Students can purchase tickets at the discounted rate of $5. For tickets, visit www.mysticseaport.org/tickets or call 860.572.5339.

Mystic Seaport has been hosting the Adventure Series for more than 60 years. The programs provide a unique opportunity to meet each “adventurer” firsthand and experience a wide range of challenges—both on the land and sea all over the world. The series will conclude Thursday, April 15, with Rich Wilson’s presentation “Racing Around the World, Non-Stop and Alone.” MORE: www.mysticseaport.org/adventureseries.

Used Sails from Maine To Help Out in Haiti

Maine's sailing community is working to turn cast-off sails into life-saving shelter for some of the 770,000 Haitians who were left homeless by January's earthquake. The effort aims to capitalize on the resourcefulness of the Haitian people, for whom a discarded sail can become desperately needed shelter from the heat and downpours of the tropical rainy season, which has already begun.

"Every sailor has used sails kicking around in the basement, attic or garage somewhere, and there's very little we can do with them," said John Eide, who has spent the past 50 years sailing the Maine coast.

"We get rid of sails before their life as a fabric is over because they've lost their shape. They're still mostly waterproof and can be used to block sun and rain," he said.

Sailors who cruise the coast might get 10 to 15 years out of a set of sails, but serious racers might get new mainsails and genoas every other year, he said.

Eide returned a week ago from sailing in the Caribbean. While he was there, he met with medical professionals who had been working in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. What Haitian people need most is food and shelter, they said. He started putting the word out Tuesday, and got responses almost immediately. A sailmaker in San Francisco wants to contribute, as does a yacht club in Rhode Island. Eide has arranged for a truck to haul the donated sails to Shake A Leg, the nonprofit group that is collecting the sails in Miami.

From there, Haiti-Life will ship them to the Haitian capital. The nonprofit group has been making deliveries to Haiti since the earthquake, and works with local groups to make sure donations are not diverted to the black market, he said. The sail collection is on a tight deadline, so the sails can be delivered to Miami and then Haiti before the worst of the rains hit, Eide said. Several Maine businesses have offered to serve as collection points. Donated sails can be dropped off until March 19 at Maine Sailing Partners in Freeport and Pope Sails and Rigging in Rockland. Sea Bags in Portland will collect used sails through March 21. Sails also can be dropped off at Portland Yacht Services, in Building 11, during the Maine Boatbuilders Show March 19-21. From: kjonline.com.

If you have sails to donate, please deliver your sails to: Shake a Leg Miami at 2620 South Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33133-5424- (305) 858-5550 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Identify them for shipment to Haiti by writing "HAITI" on them.

International Rolex Regatta - March 26th-28th

The only thing that could possibly be more fun than competing in the International Rolex Regatta, scheduled for March 26-28, is watching it from shore. Among the highlights of the regatta’s three racing days are Friday’s “town races,” which take the fleet from St. Thomas Yacht Club right into the heart of the bustling commercial harbor of Charlotte Amalie. The tradition now is for workers downtown to time their lunch breaks to coincide with the noon finish, while others host regatta parties for viewing from various vantage points along the course, which reverses itself when the fleet is started in the harbor after lunch and sent back home to the East End of the island.

The fourth weekend of March is now etched into every racer's calendar as the time when this "Crown Jewel" of Caribbean racing takes place -where sailors can enjoy our reliable breezes, warm azure waters and world-renowned Island hospitality.

The event has been hosted by St. Thomas Yacht Club for 36 years and is the oldest regatta in Rolex’s portfolio of international sailing events. Rolex is known for sponsoring famous offshore and grand-prix events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Rolex Fastnet Race, Giraglia Rolex Cup, Rolex Middle Sea Race, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship. MORE: www.rolexcupregatta.com.

Boat Rat's Tip of the Week

Love Your Lines - Five Care Tips

You can always tell the landlubbers from the salts. They say rope, we say lines. No matter what it is called, line is an essential boating supply and it pays to know about the different types of line and its uses, and also to properly care for it to maintain its integrity and extend its life.

Because there are many uses aboard your boat for line, there are many different types and sizes of lines to match. Line is classified by whether it is natural or synthetic; it's construction and size. Each type of line is created for different uses aboard your boat.

Here are five tips for caring for the line aboard your boat:

1. Inspect all the lines aboard your boat annually. The salt and sun combine to degrade the line and severely weaken it. Line that is frayed or worn is compromised and will not have the same strength, which could be dangerous if it breaks, or parts, suddenly when you most need it.

2. Look for places on the line that receive added wear and tear. You can buy chafeguard that slip over the line and protect the line from friction and abrasion, thus extending its life. Or you can make your own out of used fire hose. Check with a nearby firehouse or look online.

3. Replace line that is worn, frayed, or compromised in any way. Line seems like a small detail, however, it does heavy duty work aboard your boat whether it is keeping your boat moored and/or anchored, holding your sails up or fending off bumps and scrapes.

4. If your boat is in salt water, be sure to rinse all your lines with fresh water after each use and hang them to dry. The salt can create tears, and if line is put away wet, mildew sets in. You can also wash your lines periodically with mild soap.

5. You can put a little Downy or other fabric softener in a bucket of water and resurrect stiff lines by letting them soak in it. Be sure to rinse them well.

Cruising Community

Cruising Between the US, Bahamas or the Caribbean? Make Reentry a Breeze with the Local Boater Option

What is the Local Boater Option? The Local Boater Option (LBO) is, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a part of their “comprehensive effort to improve security at our nation’s borders while enhancing legitimate travel, including private boaters.” What this means is that boaters can register with CPB, and then phone-in their entry into the U.S. from a foreign country, instead of reporting in person. (However, CBP does reserve the authority to inspect a vessel and passengers in person). Find out Who is eligible? And Why You should sign up? And Where? Read MORE online at BWS.com.



Cruising the Red Sea? Fantasia Takes Care of All the Details

Fantasia, established in 1989, is one of the Egypt's leading yacht service companies. As a fully licensed service company they provide assistance to the Yachting industry.

"We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and fulfilling our commitment to all your boating requirements, from the smallest dinghy to the largest yacht and we look forward to meeting you. Whatever you need for your boat – we can supply it!"

Boat owners enjoy a full line of yacht services, including all authorizations and permits required to cruise through Suez Canal, pilotage towing, freight forwarding services, port and harbor master forwarding, permits and customs brokerages and more. Fantasia is one of the best developed tourism companies of Egypt; arranging hotel reservation, air-lines booking, airport pick-up, diving permits at all sites at the Red Sea, trips to Cairo, Alexandria or Luxor. Your "ONE STOP" contact for your next visit to the Red Sea. Servicing all yacht marinas in Egypt including El Gouna, Hurgada, Ras Gharib, Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh and Suez with several offices around the Red Sea. MORE: www.fantasia-eg.com.

Our Readers Write

"I read your article about sending used sails to a place in Florida (CC Issue 1832) for Haitian survivors to help build tents during this rainy season. If so, would you please email me the place to ship them to? I have several old sails from my Gaff rigged Yawl that would be of great help to these people." Sent in by Ken Scott, S/V Noe Mar.

"Hi Ken. You can contact Haiti-Life directly – www.haiti-life.org/Haiti-Life/About_Us.html about donating sails, or Shake a Leg Miami - 2620 South Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33133-5424 / (305) 858-5550 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Identify them for shipment to Haiti by writing "HAITI" on them. Let them know that you heard about them in The Cruising Compass! Thanks for reading the CC!"

Cruising Green

Giant Iceberg Breaks off Antarctic Glacier



An iceberg the size of Luxembourg has broken off from a glacier in Antarctica after being rammed by another giant iceberg, scientists said on Friday, in an event that could affect ocean circulation patterns. The 2,500 sq km (965 sq mile) iceberg broke off earlier this month from the Mertz Glacier's 160 km (100 miles) floating tongue of ice that sticks out into the Southern Ocean. The collision has since halved the size of the tongue that drains ice from the vast East Antarctic ice sheet.

"The calving itself hasn't been directly linked to climate change but it is related to the natural processes occurring on the ice sheet," said Rob Massom, a senior scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center in Hobart, Tasmania…Read the entire story online at BWS.com.



“Environmental Storyteller” David de Rothschild is Talking Trash--Lots and Lots of Trash

“There were 25 billion Styrofoam cups used last year. How do you even get your head around what 25 billion Styrofoam cups looks like?” he said. “Eighty-odd percent of what’s used by Americans is thrown out within six months.”

The British banking heir was focusing on some very particular refuse as he skimmed along San Francisco Bay in a catamaran called Plastiki: The nearly 12,000 recycled soda bottles lashed together to build his clunky vessel, and the growing heap of ground-up plastic called the Eastern Garbage Patch floating in the Pacific. De Rothschild hopes to set sail aboard Plastiki in March, tour the garbage patch and end up in Australia, while blogging about the evils of plastic and a consumer society. Photo courtesy of dwell.com. Read the whole story Online at BWS.com.

Website of the Week

http://www.green-living.com/current-energy-landing.aspx

CurrentEnergy - new and innovative green products from Green-Living.com

For The Hungry Crew...

Shrimp Dish

• 16 large shrimp
• 1 / 4 cup sesame seeds
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 / 4 cup soy sauce
• 2 egg white
• 2 Tbsp corn starch
• mixed greens
• 1 cup orange juice

Directions:

Brown sesame seeds in hot pan. Mix corn starch and egg whites and 1 / 2 sesame seeds to make batter. Dredge shrimp in batter, fry six at a time and put aside.

In a frying pan mix orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce and remaining sesame seeds, simmer until hot, add shrimp Put greens in four bowls, put shrimp on top, and pour sauce on top. Sent in by Barbara Lavallee.

Do you have a favorite cruising recipe? Send us your recipes and if we use them in the Cruising Compass, you will receive a a Blue Water Sailing logo hat! Keep them short, include a photo if you like and send it to us at: comments@cruisingcompass.com.

Mindbender

Eyeball navigation

Attention all Pacific Puddle Jumpers. . .You are sailing across the Pacific Ocean from the Marquesas Islands to the Tuamotus and planning to make landfall on Takaroa, one of the eastern-most atolls. But, your GPS and radar are on the blink and you dropped your sextant overboard trying to take a sight. You will have to eyeball your way in. What signs in the sky and on the surface will show you where the atoll lies? Remember, you won't see the tops of the palm trees on the atoll until you are five miles from it.

Send your answers to comments@cruisingcompass.com. A winner—who will receive a Blue Water Sailing hat—will be selected at random from all of the correct answers.

• Congrats to Joan and John Ernst, (S/V Destiny) Hertford, NC, who correctly identified the most important aspects of How to avoid salvage claims on your boat. Here's the full story, as described in The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge by John Vigor.
  
  In general, three conditions must be fulfilled for a salvage claim to be valid:
  
  1. The vessel must have been in genuine distress
  
  2. The person offering help must do so voluntarily
  
  3. The salvage effort must be successful.
  
  By law and custom, mariners are required to save lives at sea. However, there are no such obligations to save the vessel. Thus, anyone saving a vessel in distress may qualify as a salvor and be entitled to an award.
  
  To avoid claims, ask your potential rescuer (before you pass or accept any lines) whether there will be a charge for the service. If there is, and you agree on a price, the salvor becomes a contractor and may not claim salvage.
  
  You cannot be forced to accept a tow to safety, no matter how desperate the situation is, but there may come a time when it is your last resort. If you accept help in the absence of any agreement on price, and a valid salvage effort is undertaken, your rescuer may qualify the claim.
  
  Your ability to help yourself and the contribution you make to your own salvation may lessen the amount of any award to your salvor. Don't abandon your boat if it's not necessary. Don't accept his tow line if you have one that is suitable. Give him yours. The less you rely on his special skills, abilities, equipment, and knowledge, the weaker will be his claim in Admiralty Court. Remember, a salvage award is usually based on the amount by which the salvor's efforts improved the situation – and thus amount has to be significant.