A Seadek installation from start to finish A Seadek installation from start to finish Non-slip custom installation on a new Merlin Rocket The Seadek is cut on a CNC machine, which uses a CAD design to map the pattern so the cutting head knows exactly where to cut or machine the material. We use a Mylar to make the initial templates, cut into rough shapes, and then the outline is drawn on. by Matt Churchward, TMS Posted 22 Feb 17:00 UTC New online training on whale entanglement New online training on whale entanglement Recreational boaters are often the first to spot entangled whales Although only highly trained and experienced teams should attempt to disentangle whales to minimize the dangers involved to responders and whales, boaters who come across entangled whales can gather info and monitor the animals until trained teams arrive. by NOAA Fisheries Posted 22 Feb 14:19 UTC Torsional Furling Cable - What's an S-Splice? Torsional Furling Cable - What's an S-Splice? Another cunning use for the 'Chinese finger trap' principle When it comes to furling cables, custom top-down cables (for loose luff, asymmetrical gennakers) and bottom-up cables (for code zeros and staysails) can sometimes be expensive. Torsional rope can often be a viable alternative. by Kerri Robson Posted 22 Feb 09:00 UTC New app to secure a mooring in the BVI New app to secure a mooring in the BVI BoatyBall is your more secure way to pay, stay, and play We love the BVI and everything it has to offer. The only stress and anxiety that we have experienced in the BVI was around mooring balls, so we set out to create a solution to make the perfect vacation even better. by boatyball.com Posted 21 Feb 17:20 UTC Sailboat crew rescued 100 miles off Virginia Beach Sailboat crew rescued 100 miles off Virginia Beach A U.S. Navy destroyer came to the rescue of a disabled sailboat The destroyer heard the VHF radio distress call Thursday night, from 32-foot Kerie Elite C'est La Vie, and came to help. The tiller for the sailboat's rudder had snapped, while traveling from Sheepshead Bay, New York, destined for St. Croix. by Meg Walburn Viviano / Chesapeake Bay Magazine Posted 21 Feb 17:08 UTC Coast Guard cuts ribbon on new command center Coast Guard cuts ribbon on new command center South Portland, Maine 24-hour command center officially opened Coast Guard Sector Northern New England officially opened a new 24-hour command center Wednesday in South Portland, Maine. by U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast Posted 21 Feb 14:14 UTC The expired marine flare disposal problem The expired marine flare disposal problem A system of safe disposal for expired marine flares Maine state representative Joyce “Jay” McCreight, Maine House District 51, has introduced an act that would establish and promote a system of safe disposal for expired marine flares, potentially solving an age-old disposal issue by Scott Croft Posted 21 Feb 13:02 UTC Think global. Act local. Think global. Act local. We were on a subject that does seem to be widely appreciated In last week's editorial, ‘The reality, and some good solutions', we were on a subject that does seem to be widely appreciated. Firstly, that is really, really good news. by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-WorldCruising.com Posted 21 Feb 12:00 UTC World ARC 2019-20 fleet arrive to San Cristobal World ARC 2019-20 fleet arrive to San Cristobal After a calm 5-day journey from Panama After a calm 5-day journey from Panama, the first boats in the World ARC fleet have begun crossing the finish line off Puerto Baquerizo located on the unique island of San Cristobal, Galapagos. by World Cruising Club Posted 21 Feb 10:13 UTC Did someone say Opa?! Did someone say Opa?! The “Emerald Isle of Greece” Corfu is blessed with endless amounts of epic hiking trails, but beyond its verdant landscapes, you will find flamingos by the Lefkimmi salt pans, pods of dolphins along its shimmering coastline and the traditional “smashing of the plates” come Easter! by Sunsail Posted 19 Feb 22:19 UTC Understanding coral reef tipping points Understanding coral reef tipping points New study examines interactions between human and environmental conditions A new study, published this week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society - Biological Sciences, uses machine learning to examine interactions between human and environmental conditions impacting Hawaiian reef ecosystems. by Michelle Horton Posted 18 Feb 14:08 UTC Cruising Association welcomes The Princess Royal Cruising Association welcomes The Princess Royal A private visit from The Princess Royal to the CA's headquarters In his capacity as Patron of The Cruising Association (CA), Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD and bar, today hosted a private visit from The Princess Royal to the CA's headquarters in Limehouse Basin, London. by Peta Stuart-Hunt Posted 18 Feb 09:00 UTC Cousin Trestec Constrictor - A Textile Rope Clutch Cousin Trestec Constrictor - A Textile Rope Clutch Based on the 'Chinese finger trap' so is kinder to your ropes At some point in our lives, we have all experienced the vice-like grip of the 'Chinese finger trap'; when pulled, the cylindrical, woven braid is designed to contract and constrain the finger. by Kerri Robson Posted 18 Feb 09:00 UTC Navy-funded scientist wins award for seafloor map Navy-funded scientist wins award for seafloor map Awarded American Geophysical Union's Charles A. Whitten Medal Dr. David Sandwell, a geophysicist at Scripps, has been awarded American Geophysical Union's Charles A. Whitten Medal for creating the world's first comprehensive, high-resolution map of the ocean floor. by MarEx Posted 17 Feb 13:21 UTC Rising seas can hurt local economies Rising seas can hurt local economies Impacts from climate change are not always easy to see Impacts from climate change are not always easy to see. But for many local businesses in coastal communities across the United States, the evidence is right outside their doors – or in their parking lots. by Devon Ryan Posted 16 Feb 21:38 UTC Red tide gone from Miami local waters Red tide gone from Miami local waters Visitors are enjoying the island again A string of cars parked along the Palma Sola Causeway, a packed parking lot at Manatee Public Beach and shores packed with beachgoers Friday could only mean one thing — visitors are enjoying the island again. by Tiffany Tompkins Posted 16 Feb 20:33 UTC Police warn boaters about a rise in dinghy theft Police warn boaters about a rise in dinghy theft Urging owners of dinghies to take the necessary precautions to secure their vessels In a brief press release, the police state that thefts have been occurring in and around marinas at night. The police go on encourage marinas, "to fast-track the restoration of closed-circuit cameras. by Diane Selkirk Posted 16 Feb 15:41 UTC Halcyon Days Obscured Halcyon Days Obscured Banyandah settled into a calm state of nirvana Before those three glorious festival days, we re-victualed our sorry larder with fresh goodies from the handy IGA that lay a mere hop, skip, and paddle from our floating home. by Jack and Jude Posted 16 Feb 15:30 UTC The Jewel in World ARC Programme: Las Perlas The Jewel in World ARC Programme: Las Perlas Calm waters and spectacular white sandy beaches The World ARC fleet were greeted by calm waters and spectacular white sandy beaches as they anchored in blue seas off the island of Contadora which is the most northern of the Las Perlas archipelago, situated 30 miles from mainland Panama. by World Cruising Club Posted 16 Feb 14:25 UTC Cape Verde is calling Cape Verde is calling We left Canary Islands in the early afternoon under sunny skies Preceding a passage there is often a certain measure of healthy trepidation that swells up in a sailor's blood, regardless of the amount of courage that runs through the veins. by Jordan & Judy Mills Posted 16 Feb 10:42 UTC