NAUTICAL LOG

The following "M" Notices are now available at www.mcga.gov.uk/ If you have any difficulties contact 023 8032 9391 for assistance. MIN 397 (M) NORDREG, www.tc.gc.ca/ MGN 419 (M+F) Marine Flares disposal. MGN 420 (M) Piracy defence. MGN 422 (M) Overside work. Good Watch.

UPDATE : October 01, 2010. See the reports in the world news media of law enforcement and the President of Ecuador being held "hostage" by police. In the NAUTICAL LOG Press Release folder this morning came news of new laws passed in Ecuador. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International presented to PROJUSTICIA a unit of the Ministry of Justice of Ecuador a legal brief justifying the need to create a 'Rights of Nature' for the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. English; In 2008 Ecuador became the first country to recognize nature as a subject of rights. The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador recognizes the rights of nature to be respected and restored. In 2009 the 'Organic Code of the Judicial Function' was created. This provides for the creation of special judiciaries to address claims of violation of the rights of nature. The Law authorizes its establishment by the Consejo de la Judicatura, the country's Jud...

Today came news that the actress Gloria Stewart had died at age of 100. This is the lady who played 'Rose' in her final years in Cameron's 1997 movie Titanic. It is perhaps fitting at this time of, once again, controversy about the events of that tragic night. Of all the people involved with the making of that film she was the only one actually alive at the time of Titanic's sinking. Good Watch.

This year World Maritime Day is being celebrated on September 23, 2010 at the International Maritime Organization Headquarters (IMO HQ) in London, England. In many countries around the world there is similar recognition of Seafarers - and well deserved it is. What is World Maritime Day? It is the day the United Nations (UN) through the IMO celebrates our industry's contribution towards the world's economy especially shipping. The event's date varies from year to year and differs by country but it is always celebrated during the last week of September. For us Navigators this year has a magnificent harvest full moon with Jupiter just below in the Southeast quadrant. Last night here in Miami-Dade County Florida it was spectacular, clear sky with just some patchy clouds. This is also the 'Year of the Seafarer' and World Maritime Day focuses on shipping safety, maritime security, marine environment and the work of the IMO. There will be remembrance events for those of us...

Barn Owl - not ' Oasis' however With the present design of cruise ships more like amusement parks than sea-going vessels it was bound to happen. In "The Miami Herald" there was a report this morning of a stowaway aboard the MS Oasis of the Seas at Port Everglades, FL. However instead of calling ICE as is usually done they called FWC - yes the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. The stowaway was a barn owl, a protected species in Florida, which had established her territory on the ships golf course - very clearly established it too. Unfortunately the turf is artifical material laid on a solid deck and she could not excavate a burrow. Two officers Mr. Bingham from FWC and Mr. Rudolph from BSO 'worked the case' spenting some thirty minutes before she was captured via a butterfly net. Barn Owl 'Oasis ' was then escorted to Markham Park, Broward County where she was released without any charges being preferred. Mr. Bingham reports that she " f...

Chuck and Dick West From our Press Folder came news of CRUISE WEST which happens to be a part of the NAUTICAL LOG sea career history. On September 08, 2010 the Company stated it was pursuing a number of options with various parties to maintain operations, including investment, selling assets and selling the company. They suspended all new bookings and closed their reservation centre. On September 18, 2010, they ceased operations a Press Release titled Cruise West Ceases Operations stated in part; "because of the recent dip in the markets and the continued lack of economic confidence, these options have not come to fruition". It was signed by Dick West, Cruise West's Chairman and Managing Director, the full Release can be read online. In the 1960's NAUTICAL LOG was living in Canada and was offered a position as Third Officer in the SS Glacier Queen operating from Vancouver, BC. She was under the Canadian Flag and sailed on eight day cruises from Vancouver, BC to S...

USCG Sentinel-class which are based on the Netherlands Damen Stan-class USCGC opened hull view USCG Sentinel-class interior layout USN Cyclone-class In the NAUTICAL LOG Press Release folder comes news of Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, LA. The United States Coast Guard has awarded a $166.1 million option to start production of four ' Sentinel-class' Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). This latest award brings a total of eight FRCs under production at Bollinger with a value of $410.7 million. The current FRC contract contains options for up to 34 cutters and is worth $1.5 billion if they are all exercised. Recently the United States Navy limited operation of its 'Cyclone-class' coastal patrol boats stationed in Bahrain and Norfolk, VA. Any vessel operation would depend on sea state and speed restrictions. This was due to structural damage as the vessels reach the 15 year mark which is considered close to the operational limit. This is apparently not a design fault but ...