JulieC

I just wanted to pass this Mariner Radio Activated Sound Signal (MRASS) Information Sheet from the coast guard. It also shows how they will be identified on marine charts. http://www.uscgnews.com/clients/4007/654058.pdf Julie

This was the article in the Portland Press Herald earlier this week. We are waiting on the change to be made at Seguin Light Station and I will post more information on it when it is complete on our webpage under Navigating There, the Fog Horn and also on our FB page. http://www.pressherald.com/2015/11/13/coast-guard-to-provide-update-on-new-foghorn-system/ Julie

Whoo Hoo! Congrats!

Maine is known for Basking sharks. Here is a link to an article about that. It has a link in it that shows the comparison of a basking fin vs a great white. http://www.pressherald.com/2015/06/22/scientists-say-maine-sightings-are-likely-basking-sharks-not-great-whites/ I have yet to see one... I do see seals all the time. OOPs, did not realize this is what Rob posted... Sorry for the double post!

Thank you Warren! I would also like to acknowledge that Doug and Robert L also passed their exams as well! Congrats to them too!

As a former diver, just know that Folly Cove is a big spot for divers in the area. I used to go there every weekend. Many do dives just off the shore. I am not saying that it is not an ideal launch site, but just be aware that they are there.

The point of my posting this story was to highlight there being another accident where two kayaks were lost to Rte 95S this past weekend and not to be yet another thread about the need for both bow and stern lines. In truth, I posted this because I witnessed this accident, saw the boats on the highway (fortunately no one was hurt!) and saw a rack system sheared off. It made me think about how many people are just now attaching roof systems and to question (even myself) that they are locked on properly. Rick points out if the OP (me) was able to really see the car and if I was just passing by too quickly, as well as questioning whether the stern line would have just dragged the boats down the highway. So here are my answers. I was behind the car originally and had a gut feeling that this was not the place to be as I could only see stern lines and the bow of the boat rising up. I had been following for a short clip. At that point I moved over a lane and looked at the set up. The boats were in the J racks with two lines going around each boat, however each line was first wrapped around a paddle then put into the rachet clips and not secured after being put through the clip. There was then only the tight stern line which was causing the bow to lift up. It was after fully seeing this that I made the decision to move once again over a lane further. When I said a bow line would have helped, this was because the stern line was really tight and causing the boat to lift. I made my driving decisions based on what I saw. As I came up on the accident, yes, Rick, the boats would have dragged behind because of the stern line, but the driver had stopped on the highway in the shoulder. So I can't really comment there. I was only thankful that a flying paddle had not come loose or another car hit or an accident happen due to slowing or stopping cars. As to this whole discussion of bow and stern lines. There is no right and wrong way. Each of us has a different way that works for us. Let's leave it at that. I for instance use stackers. When transporting my sea kayak I use a straps and a bow line. Today, I transported a polo kayak. Only straps. Stackers are meant for WW, when those boats are on, only straps. Some cars have more spread allowing different distribution and the boat to lie prone - such as the Tundra with a cab... It all depends on your system. However, when I said that we need to educate, it is important that new kayakers understand to check the boats every time before they leave the parking lot, that they have a system that works for them and that they are not cheating by saying next time. AND occasionally checking the racks to make sure that nothing has happened and that they are locked on!

I was just driving back to MA from ME this afternoon when I noticed a car to the left of me with two rec boats on it. The car had two sets of J bars. What caught my eye was that the boats did not seem to be loaded evenly and I was thinking that I did not like how they had the paddles attached to the straps (the straps where wrapped around the shafts several times before they were joined together around the boats. The boats did not have bow lines but did have a stern line attached to the car. Have you ever driven behind a car with a load on it that made you uneasy and you immediately moved further away or slowed down? This car was moving really fast down 95 S in the far left lane and I slowed and moved to the right. So glad I did! After about a mile I saw dust ahead and when I came upon the scene, the boats where on the left shoulder of the road still attached to the racks. the entire rack was sheared of the car at the feet. My guess would be a bow line would have helped some, but I still think this was in all a terrible set up and that the person did not know how to correctly tie boats onto the roof racks. However, I am not going to bash this or ask that we have a long discussion here bashing this. I am only happy that the boats ended up on the shoulder and did not go into the road or hit another car. No one was hurt from what I saw and not other cars were involved in an accident as well. Nor were there fly paddle missiles. The shearing off of the racks at the feet made me think to check my racks and make sure they are locked on! Also as new paddlers come on board, we always demonstrate safety of boating on the water, let's also talk about how to safely transport. RIP boats on Rte 95S, I hope you at least got on the water at least once.

Congrats!!!!!

I just found this company.... http://50.63.35.199/store/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6

Is this similar to the one Lorrie had? It doesn't zip, but looks as if it is large enough to go over clothing. I was going to suggest it for Jason... or had you already looked at this one already? http://www.bugshirt.com/products/

Pru, and excellent report of our adventure. Thanks for sharing! This was definitely a fantastic week full of great interactive learning, amazing people, and a lot of fun. Oh, and as Pru reported - It was COLD!!!! I am thrilled that I took this adventure with Warren and Pru this week. As Warren stated, this really takes WFA up a level. While we have taken WFA a few times, many of the topics covered are the same, the depth that you get out of WFR is completely different. It also focuses more on thinking outside the box from both a leadership and team member aspect when it comes to dealing with situations that may arise. Overall, the experience from my perspective was well worth the time invested.

Suz, that is good to know! I always put my phone in airplane mode too!!!

Suz, I am so glad you were able to help! Can I add one thing for the iPhone users? If you do want to use the compass for providing the lat/long, you do need to make sure that the location services for the compass app are turned on. Otherwise it will not provide the information. Just go to Settings>Privacy>Location Services>Compass and select on I know we talked about it when I saw you, but after I realized that I carry a radio, but don't always remember the correct usage of it if I was in your situation. How often do we actually have to use our radios? I have never fortunately... So I looked and found on my computer this morning a cheat sheet that I had downloaded the link a while ago from an old article on paddling light of "How to use a VHF Radio" that I will now laminate for my PFD... I am sharing for others who may want. http://www.paddlinglight.com/pl/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/VHF-Radio-Cheat-Sheet-2.pdf Julie

Well it seems like Liz and I have many of the same ailments... I have never had seasickness before, but there is always that first time :-)