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GOODBYE and GOOD WATCH

The dictionary defines "decision" as "the quality of being decided in character," "a settlement," "final".

For NAUTICAL LOG the choice is final because we have decided to cease publication of this Blog. 

Originally we wrote two blogs one maritime themed and the other under a pen name politically themed.  As we saw what we considered declining standards and professional behaviour in the maritime world the two blogs formed into NAUTICAL LOG as an activist maritime blog.  Our hope was that by pointing out some things they might be changed for the better saving the lives of seafarers.  How simplistic our thinking was!! 

First with piracy placing our comment after each Post got little or no response - except begging letters for money - to support phony organisations cashing in on another human beings misery. On issues of safety we saw a minimum of response on an individual basis never collectively.

The World Court never had the courtesy to even acknowledge our open letter to them regarding the overall condition of seafarers and the effects of piracy on our profession and families.  Of course all seafarers know of the total useless of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the contempt of NAUTICAL LOG for that organisation.  As for the United Nations, which NAUTICAL LOG did work for over many years through its Geneva Offices, it has descended into something even more contemptible than the IMO - which is now part of it.

This week was the final act, as in decision, for NAUTICAL LOG.  Firstly we had the choice by the UN/IMO selecting the RMS Titanic as a theme for World Maritime Day supposedly drawing attention to shipboard safety 100 years too late.  Then the final blow of contempt for seafarers last night when an e-mail was received calling attention to the unbelievable awarding of the "Seafarer of the Year" to the crew of the MS Costa Concordia for putting their ship on the rocks then trying to rescue themselves and their "guests" - with 32 known dead.  This award by Lloyd's List publication is completely beyond our understanding and illustrates to us just how far the maritime organisations, publications, and administrations have drifted off course into the political world without honour from the maritime world which was their duty.

So it is time to cast off and leave this sordid mess to wallowed in its own muck. 

There are some good maritime blogs for you to follow, two of which are quite informative are Old Salt Blog a nice site of nautical "fluff" nothing controversial but interesting never the less and gCaptain mildly activist but carefully controlled very politically astute. Their Monday Maritime section is written by a person who seems to take pride in crude and obscene language - strange.

So from NAUTICAL LOG keep your heads out of the fancy instruments look out the Bridge windows that's why they are there and a final,

Good Watch.

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