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Around the World of Sailing

24 July  2002

Finish Line

According to Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment Western Great Lakes 33 people have died in the Great Lakes this summer while swimming off boats.

Water Level Update

Reference Point

Difference from Chart Datum +12
Difference from last month +2
Difference from last year +12
Difference from long term average for July -11
Difference from Record High -41
Difference from Record Low +22
Forecast for 19 August 2002 0

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

Rowing Reporter

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.
****************
 Mike Kelsey SR

Mike Kelsey Sr retired CEO of Palmer Johnson passed away.
At the time of his passing he was in France.
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DC's Boat Sinks

Stars and Stripes USA 77 sank off Long Beach after rudder
failure. It went down in only 60 feet of water with the
mast visible at all times. USA 77 has been salvaged and
should be ready for racing in NZL this fall

Links:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sailing/2002-07-23-yacht-sinks.htm and
http://www.stars-stripes.com/news/story_detail.taf?story_uid=47
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Michigan to elect a new Governor

For readers residing in Michigan the Rowing Reporter
presents a series of strictly informational pieces on the 5
main candidates running for Governor of Michigan. The
candidates were approached and asked to give an answer to
the following question: "What will you do to protect and
enhance the Great Lakes?" This topic should be of interest
to those Michiganders who are boaters and to all who use the
Great Lakes. For the next weeks the Rowing Reporter will
carry the answers and information the candidates provide.
This information is given to assist those who may vote in
the August 6th primary. No endorsement or preference of any
sort is given or implied.

Candidate answers will be presented in alphabetical order.

Question: "What will you do to protect and enhance the Great
Lakes?"

Answer provided by Lieutenant Governor Dick Posthumus

Michigan's great outdoors is something I feel very strongly
about. I have called for a massive Marshall Plan to improve
water quality. When it comes to Michigan's environment,
one thing rises above all else: our water. Michigan is
defined by our water and it is one of those Michigan values
you just don't find in other states. Here in Michigan, our
water isn't just about clean, safe drinking water. It's
about spending time with your family on Lake Michigan or
boating in Lake St. Clair.

My Marshall Plan calls for:
A strategy to keep our water clean by:

Joining forces with our neighboring Great Lakes states to
keep Aquatic Nuisance species out of our water.

Implementing a $1 billion bond to update our sewers and
repair our septic systems.

Reducing mercury emissions by 90% by 2010, with their
virtual elimination by 2020.

Maintaining the ban on directional drilling, stopping any
new underwater pipelines in the Great Lakes and calling on
Canada to get their drilling rigs out of the lakes.

Restoring the natural flow of our rivers by identifying and
removing unneeded dams.

Getting nuclear waste off our shores and to Yucca Mountain.

Going to Washington and calling for a federal investment in
the protection of the Great Lakes Basin. Congress did it for
the Everglades; they need to do it for our Lakes.

Defending our water from thirsty politicians in Washington
by:

Declaring loud and clear that it is the state of Michigan's
right to manage the Great Lakes. I will not let Washington
bureaucrats take control of our water.

Eliminating bulk withdrawals of Great Lake's water- not now,
not ever.

Creating a state water withdrawal policy for our
groundwater.

Working with our Great Lakes neighbors to implement the
Annex 2001 agreements to govern withdrawals throughout the
basin.

Developing a coordinated statewide emergency response plan
for our drinking water system so no terrorist can take away
our peace of mind.

Oil and gas platforms should be removed from Great Lakes
waters. As Governor, Dick Posthumus will urge the federal
government to work with Canada to remove the natural gas
drilling platforms currently in the Great
Lakes.

I would oppose any proposal for a new oil pipeline under the
Great Lakes within Michigan's jurisdiction.

The technology exists today to create a statewide
"real-time" beach monitoring system which will establish a
uniform standard for monitoring and reporting current water
quality at our public beaches.

More at: http://www.www.dickposthumus.com/

******************
Readers Write # 1

"Hey great updates, much better that the CYC web page. Can
you give us any more info on SASSY. It stated injuries?
Thanks Mark McCrindle"

Answer: There was one injury on Sassy. One person lost the
tip of their finger.


***************
Readers Write # 2

I recently purchased a NY 36 named Defiant. 36001. I
understand it raced several macks over the years. Are the
race results available for division seven for the years
1990-1994. The boat was laid up in 1996 to the
present. I hope to sail a future mack!. Thanks for your
help Mike Knox

Answer 1994 was the year before we started our Internet
coverage so our sites won't be of assistance.

I'd suggest two other possible sources. One is Chicago
Yacht Club the organizer. Two, are magazines such as
Sailing World although they typically run only leader
board/podium finishers.

Finally maybe some past Mackinac competitors or historians
have the info Mike is looking for. If so, email
ike@torresen.com and we'll link you up.

*********
Readers Write # 3

Looking for the book sail it flat can you help?
thanks christy

Answer

As you probably know the book is out of publication. I'm
quite a book buff and checked several sources, but came up
empty.

Then I found that the Sunfish class Association sells Sail it
Flat as part of their 'Sunfish Bible'. This sells for
$ 29.95. More info
at
http://www.sunfishclass.org/admin/sfbible.htm.