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Around the World of Sailing
20 June 2001
This weeks features:
Finish Line
Finish Line Available on line at: Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/ju/0620/frw.htm
Boating Deaths in Michigan Increase
2000 34
1999 28
1998 25
Water Level Update
Weekly Water Level Update
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/ju/0620/frw.htm
Here is an informative feature that used to appear in the
Friday edition of Sailing Daily. Below you'll find water level
info that pertains to Lake Michigan and Huron. For
information on other lakes see:
http://huron.lre.usace.army.mil/levels/weekly.html
Reference Point
Inches below Chart Datum +2
Difference From 15 May 2001 +6
Difference from 15 June 2000 -2
Difference from long-term Avg. -21
Difference from Record High -50
Difference from Record Low +11
Forecast for 15 July 2001 +2
Rowing Reporter
Rowing Reporter Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/ju/0620/frw.htm
The Rowing Reporter is a weekly column of commentary and
observations by Ike Stephenson, Marine Informationist. It
concentrates on the home waters of Around the World of
Sailing, Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.
************
Unique Cargo In Muskegon
Port facilities in Muskegon this week are unloading something
different than coal and stone. At the West Michigan Mart Dock
the Happy River a 452 'saltie' is unloading machinery for a
new power plant in Zeeland. The machinery goes as much as
86 feet high, weighing as much as 135 tons per piece. A total
of 11,000 tons will be offloaded. Some of the items will have
a further water voyage before their Zeeland destination.
They will go to Grand Haven via barge. This is to avoid the
US 31 draw bridge over the Grand River. This occurrence in my
home port brought to mind a book from the Rowing Reporters
library. It is Waterfront by the British Author Richard
Woodman.
In the novel the tramp steamship Koohinor sails to Mexico.
The cargo is conveyer belts for a mine in the Mexican town.
Surprising what patterns we can find continuing to repeat
themselves right where we live.
***************
Streetsailing
Last September ATWOS ran a story about Robert Torline who
planned land sail 2181 miles from Brownsville Texas to
Maida ND. He has followed through on his plans has made
good on the promised voyage.
He began sailing on 29 April. He was sailed 2119 miles and
reached his goal in North Dakota. He commented at the end,
"After the dust settles my total financial hit will be ~
$7,000. Not bad for the experience!"
One of the reasons Torline undertook his voyage was to
increase awareness of alternative energy. Since last
September energy worries have greatly increased.
Perhaps the morning commute will someday be done by street
sail board? For in the 20's and 30's the business titans of
New York stormed to work in huge powerboats. As we all know
not within the paradigm of alternative energy. With this
pioneering voyage down, maybe we'll commute to work. The
traffic rules replaced by the racing rules. Flat tires
replaced by well boss I just sailed into a hole. Detrous also
known as wiley reading of shifts.
**********
Lake Michigan Kayaking Death
Over the weekend a Milwaukee man died during an early morning
kayak outing. He and 2 friends began kayaking about 0300.
By 0530 the kayakers were in distress and rescue personnel
were on the way. 2 of the kayakers were pulled out showing
signs of hypothermia. All thee wore life jackets and shorts.
At 0645 Kenny Krupo of Milwaukee was found 1/2 mile offshore
unconscious and with signs of hypothermia. He was flown to a
hospital via Coast Guard helicopter receiving CPR en route.
He was pronounced death at the hospital.
So, despite wearing PFD's there was a death amongst the three
kayakers. Lessons learned: PFD's aren't life jackets in that
they are a fail-safe solution. Clothes appropriate to the
boating endeavor such as a wetsuit when kayaking must be
plugged into the safety equation.
************
Summer Sailstice
Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice, one of the ways to officially
acknowledge summer's arrival. There's a special sailing event
tomorrow along with the Solstice.
Summer Sailstice comes down to this: ditch work if you want,
but by all means take advantage of the longest amount of
daylight and sail!
You can register for prizes at the Summer Sailstice website.
Winning a prize is simple as there's no start times, no
handicaps and plenty of prizes.
Every 100th person to register gets a 1st Annual Summer
Sailstice' sailing pennant. Other prizes include CD's, gear
bags and GPS'. Sounds like another great reason to go sailing!
Link:
http://www.summersailstice.com/Prizes.htm