Thursday, April 30, 2009

Noozhawk.com - Cruise Ships to Sail In to Santa Barbara Harbor - Local News - local news and information for Santa Barbara County

"Two passenger cruise ships from Princess Cruise Lines will dock at the Santa Barbara Harbor this weekend.

The Sapphire Princess, with Capt. Anthony Herriott, will visit Saturday and again May 10. The Star Princess, with Capt. Robert Oliver, will be in the port on Sunday. The ships are expected to arrive by about 7 a.m. and depart at 6 p.m. General public tours of the ships will not be available."

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Seattle Boating Examiner: Wild, wild, west theme opens Seattle boating season

"Saturday, May 2nd marks opening day of Seattle boating season. Sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club, there has been an opening day parade through the Montlake cut since 1920. The theme this year for Opening Day is the “Wild, Wild, West”.

The festivities on Saturday include a morning of crew races, dragon boat exhibition race, and the Grand Opening Day Boat Parade. Spectators line up along Portage Bay and Montlake to watch the parade of boats. The boats make there way along the parade route and go by the judges and the boats on the log boom."

Newport to Ensenada: | akela, began, crew, beach, sailing - News - OCRegister.com

"Over the radio came: 'Three minutes!' and the Maxi class, yachts with a 48-second handicap or higher, in the 62nd Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race began circling in front of Balboa Pier.

After numerous U-turns, the competitors finally aligned and the race began with the blowing of a horn."

Sailor sues over pirated ship

"A crew member of an American-flagged cargo ship hijacked by African pirates on Monday sued the owner of the vessel and the company that provided the crew, accusing them of knowingly putting sailors in danger by ignoring risks."

Friday, April 24, 2009

The Associated Press: China puts naval power on display; pledges peace

"Chinese President Hu Jintao sought Thursday to reassure the international community over China's rising military strength before presiding over a naval display highlighting Beijing's ambitions of becoming a major sea power.

In remarks to U.S. and other foreign naval commanders, Hu repeated China's standard position that it would never threaten other nations or seek regional dominance.

China's military, including the fast modernizing navy, 'will always be a force for the preservation of world peace and advancement of common development,' Hu said."

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Duffy Grounding

"About 3:30 a.m. Sunday, a Duffy Boat washed onto the sand at the Wedge, the area at the southern tip of the Balboa Peninsula. Orange County Sheriff Harbor Patrol officials said the boat’s operator thought in all the darkness he had steered the boat between the east and west jetties leading into Newport Harbor, but instead guided it west of the jetties and into the Wedge’s waves.

When the group found they were being sucked to shore, they jumped out and tried to manually push it out, authorities said. The boat eventually ran aground"

Friday, April 17, 2009

Largest Melges 32 European Fleet Ever Gathers For Audi Sailing Series Event No. 1 In Malcesine

"An impressive twenty-one Melges 32s are ready to go racing in Malcesine, Italy on April 17-19 for event number one of the 2009 Audi Sailing Series. This regatta marks a major milestone for the European fleet. All eyes have turned to the beautiful Lake of Garda for the ultimate showdown of speed, consistency and high performance racing."

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Mexico's drug war won't stop Newport to Ensenada sailing race | Outposts | Los Angeles Times

"Sailors in the festive armada that is the annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race will not be concerned about themselves, because Mexico's bloody drug war is being waged on land.
But what about family and friends who want to drive to Ensenada and greet the 187 entrants (down considerably from past years)?
They'll have to pass briefly through Tijuana and Rosarito Beach to reach the port city for the conclusion of a race that begins April 24. Tijuana has been a central theater for drug war violence, though violence has not been directed at tourists. Rosarito Beach and Ensenada also have experienced drug-related violence."

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Sailing from Newport Beach to Santa Barbara | Matador

"I started the motor and pointed the bow toward Santa Barbara to close the last few miles. Standing there at the wheel, dripping in my wetsuit, I caught a splash in the corner of my eye and turned to see six or more dolphins cruising by to see what all the noise was about. They started playing around the bow and I went up there and joined them. Before I knew it, a dozen more appeared on the horizon headed my way, and I shuffled back to the cockpit to get my camera. Arriving back at the bow, there were now two distinct parties playing in the bow wave, and two others holding off 100 feet or so. Some individuals would scoot off and rendezvous with the other parties, perhaps just saying hello, then return to the boat."

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Anchor Blamed in NFL Boating Accident || WXYZ.com | WXYZ-TV / Detroit | Detroit News, Weather, Sports and More

"According to the report, the men were trying to bring the anchor on board when they discovered it was stuck on the floor of the Gulf. It reports that they attempted to use the boat's engine to dislodge the anchor. That caused the boat to overturn, and sent the men into the water. The report lists carelessness and recklessness, operator inexperience and improper anchoring as causing the accident.

The report says that after the accident the men were able to get four floatation devices from the boat. They tried to stay on the hull of the overturned boat. However, according to Schuyler, their weight pushed the hull under the water, making it difficult for them to stay onboard, and keeping the men in chest deep water."