Maritime Carol

Copied from Chamber's Navigation printed in 1911: 1. Adverse Weather. a) If sufficient command can be kept over a boat by the skill of those on board her, avoid or 'dodge' the sea if possible, so as not to meet it at the moment of its breaking and curling over. b) Against a head gale and heavy surf, get all possible speed on a boat on the approach of every sea which cannot be avoided. c) If more speed can be given to a boat than is sufficient to prevent her being carried back by a surf, her way may be checked on its approach, which will give her an easier passage over it. Fog - every vessel shall, in fog, mist, falling snow or heavy rainstorms, go at a moderate speed, having careful regard to the existing circumstances and conditions. 2. Anchoring/Mooring . If the port in which the vessel is berthed is tidal, attention must be paid to take in or slack out the mooring ropes to allow for rise and fall of the tide.  And so it goes on - Has much actually changed o...

Working in the Maritime industry is so much fun.   Yesterday I received a call from a vessel owner: "Can you come down to the boat and see what we need to do next? I think we have to do something in November"  "Ok, Do you know when your SSM certificate expires?"  "No idea - the SSM company will know tho."   So I took the vessels name and contacted the SSM company...   gulp...   yep a few things to get sorted. "Nobody told me anything" said the owner...  and therein lies the problem in the old SSM system. The Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS) is forcing vessel owners to take control of their own operation.  And THAT my friends is why I believe in MOSS.

Many people impact our lives and for me, Dad was the first. Here's ten things he did that had a lasting impact on me: 1.  Dad taught me how to row. 2.  He cheered when I learnt to swim. 3.  We went out in the boat rather than stay at home. 4.  When Avalon went on the rocks at night with us all on board, he was calm and stable. 5.  Dad joked about a boat being called Deodar & to this day I still say it wrong - whaaa.... 6.  He repaired the pipe that allowed steam to escape and burn my leg. 7.  He safely navigated Avalon for over fifty years using good old common sense. 8.  Dad had faith in me.  He let me use Avalon to practice berthing at Beach haven Wharf when I was sitting my RLL ticket so I could bring the TIO in without making a fool of myself. 9.  He laughed when I laughed and hurt when I cried. 10.  And twice he lead me down the isle. Thanks Dad... your legacy lives on. - LLo...