NAUTICAL LOG

Until NAUTICAL LOG came to be based in the USA some forty-five years ago and subsequently retired here one had never heard of the word " exceptionalism ".  Not found in all American-English dictionaries it can be " Googled ®" and is explained as: The condition of being unique The theory that a nation does not conform to a pattern This is a status often claimed most often by public figures for the United States of America.  While it may have once been partly true it no longer applies.  Americans used to observe the minor laws while breaking the major ones one has heard it said that Americans would pay the parking meter while robbing the bank - again no longer true if it ever was.  There has been a steady decline in recent decades under both Democratic and Republican administrations to were today we have arguments, fights and indeed gunfights over such minor things as parking spaces.  Our cities both major and minor have an...

One of the more enjoyable spots on any cruise ship is the swimming pool or these days pools.  They are now pretty exotic with water tunnel slides from several decks up.  Missing in many cases seem to be the children's parents supervising the fun. Why?  Oh! right there is a Bar just handy and that's where one can often find those parents instead of keeping an eye on the safety of their kids.  Sadly this has resulted in numerous deaths and brain injuries to those same kids and on occasions adults. As a result of legal actions after the event cruise lines are finally posting " lifeguards " at the pool area.  Also they are going to have safety videos and swimming vests available to their guests - see NAUTICAL LOG remembered to use the current term for passengers in this Post.  Since the top and senior management of cruise lines these days have the background of the hotel and entertainment industries one might wonder why this was not all in place decades...

It is just over a decade since  NAUTICAL LOG  ceased sea going after some fifty (50) years and left the cruise industry to teach nautical science.  During that time there have been enormous changes in both the industry itself and the design of the vessels - none good. The ships have long ceased to be ships and are now floating - sort of anyway - resorts just like we have here in Florida at Orlando the site of Disney - yes they have ships also - and other similar sites. The latest piece of seagoing nonsense currently being built is the MS " Norwegian Joy " which has on its upper deck a Ferrari brand go-kart racing track.  That should be nice for those living in cabins the next deck below listening to screaming Ferrari's while wallowing in sea sickness. One might ask why ship designers would design and companies would build these types of vessels with this stuff on board.  The answer is surprisingly simple.  Take a look at the resume...

As readers can see we have made some changes to NAUTICAL LOG and made it more interesting - hopefully - since we do not Post very much these days.  The reason for that is there is so much division in our World particularly here in the U.S.A. we have decided not to add to it.  Yes! we shall still express our opinions on occasions but in a thoughtful manner format.   Unlike one well known maritime blog,   which  NAUTICAL LOG  now no longer follows, we will reply politely to comments on our Posts content since we like to be addressed in the same manner.  During that last Administration a great separation was created along mostly racial lines.  It was clear to many of us that Obama had a chip perhaps a log on his shoulder in addition to a weird version of American Socialism.  All this caused an extremely confused and disastrous eight years.  Then along came Trump who to many peoples complete amazement  became our legally elected P...

There is a very fine U.S. maritime blog named gCaptain which has had the courage to publish a long letter by an American Master Mariner CAPT. John Loftus.   This should be read by every seafarer and NAUTICAL LOG personally thanks him for his writing, the actions he took both while in command and after his dismissal. Regular readers will know that NAUTICAL LOG sailed professionally for fifty (50) years and holds five (5) Masters Certificates and national mariners documents issued as required by the various flags of registry for passenger vessels (non U.S.).  From this background one understands Captain Loftus experiences all too well agreeing and supporting his letter in its entirety. Having had to deal with them on non U.S. flagged vessels as a cruise ship Navigation Officer, Safety Officer and Staff Officer one can say that the work of the USCG is discriminatory and biased.  Sending a 19 year old Rating with a clipboard of questions to ask and discuss wi...

Once again  NAUTICAL LOG has a boating tragedy to report from Asia in our continuing monitoring of the lack of maritime safety in that region.  This time the incident has occurred in Malaysia with the loss of a "tourist boat" from Kota Kinabalu to Pulau Mengalum with 28 passengers and 3 crewmembers most of whom are Chinese celebrating the week long Chinese New Year of the Rooster. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) reports it is engaged in a " search and   rescue " effort hampered by bad weather.  From this one might conclude that the missing catamaran departed on its passage in bad weather or with bad weather forecast.  The boat is reported to have left at 0900 local time on Saturday for the 60 km trip to the popular tourist island offshore.  MMEA is covering a 400 nautical square mile search area where storms are common at this time of year.  It is always interesting when " safety agencies " title themsel...