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Captain Lou's Nautical News Headlines

Capt Lou's Nautical News September 15, 2019 WRECKAGE OF BURNT DIVE BOAT RAISED FROM BOTTOM The wreckage of the burned hull of the dive boat Conception was brought to the surface by a salvage team and taken to a Navy base for examination to determine the cause of the fire. Meanwhile federal investigators claim they determined the dive boat's crew violated Coast Guard regulations by not posting a lookout. That violation could lead to criminal charges being filed against the captain and/or the boat's owner. The National Transportation Safety Board said that all crew members on the boat Conception were asleep when the pre-dawn fire broke out. Coast Guard rules state that a member of the vessel's crew shall be designated by the master as a lookout at all times, whether or not the vessel is underway, when the passenger's bunks are occupied. It was also stated on the boat's inspection certificate as a condition of operation. COAST GUARD ISSUES WARNING ABOUT CELL PHONE CHARGERS In a related story, because a crew member on the dive boat said he thought the fire was started by a cell phone charging, the Coast Guard issued a safety warning to all commercial boat operators that they should monitor the amount of unsupervised phone charging on their boats. The Coast Guard urged those operating a boat to reduce potential fire hazards and consider limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords. The Coast Guard also cautioned boat operators ensure that their firefighting materials work and that emergency escapes are easier to find and are effective. FOUR CREWMEN RESUCED FROM OVERTURNED CAR CARRIER The Coast Guard pulled to safety four crew members trapped inside an overturned car carrier ship off the coast of Georgia. Immediately after the accident, the Coast Guard lifted 20 crew members into helicopters. Officials were concerned about the stability of the ship, which was carrying 4,000 vehicles and were unable to enter the ship to find the 4 remaining crewmembers trapped inside the ship. However, they heard tapping on the hull and knew where the men were trapped. They cut a hole in the ship and pulled those 4 to safety. The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation. The rescue brought back memories of a failed attempt to save three men from the Heather Lynn II fishing boat that capsized 23 years ago off the coast of Cape Ann. During that failed rescue, commercial fishermen's offers help to provide oxygen and prevent the boat from completely rolling over were refused by the Coast Guard. A book was written by Kate Yeomans titled Dead Men Tapping. THREE PEOPLE RESCUED FROM OVERTURNED BOAT IN NAHANT Closer to home, three people were rescued after their work boat overturned off the coast of Nahant. A captain of a commercial fishing boat found the boat in distress and notified officials. Nahant Harbormaster Rob Tibbo responded and found the commercial work vessel overturned with the captain and his passengers sitting on the upside down hull waiting to be rescued. Everyone on the boat declined medical assistance. The Coast Guard reported that although there were no injuries, none of the people rescued was wearing a life jacket. The Swampscott Fire Department, the Coast Guard, the Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit, and a Boston Police boat all responded to the scene. Nahant harbormaster Tibbo remained on scene until a tow boat arrived to remove the overturned boat. The work boat was registered to Black Dog Divers out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. LOBSTERMEN AT ODDS WITH MASACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL The Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has sent a letter to the coalition of New England governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers pushing for a greater regional effort to prevent North Atlantic right whale entanglements in vertical lines attached to lobster pots. However,lobstermen are critical of the Massachusetts Attorney General because their season is closed during the time the right whales are feeding in Massachusetts waters and they and Maine lobstermen claim there are errors in NOAA’s data. KAYAKERS, CANOEISTS, AND PADDLE BOARDERS MUST NOW WEAR LIFE JACKETS The Duxbury harbormaster and the Coast Guard remind all kayakers, canoeists, and stand up paddle boarders that life jackets are required to be worn while underway between September 15th and May 15th because the water will soon be dangerously cold. Of course they say it is a good idea to wear a lifejacket year round. MAYFLOWER II MAKES SPLASH IN WATER For the past 3 years the Mayflower II has undergone an extensive restoration at the shipyard in Mystic, Connecticut and was just launched back into the water. However, it will be a while before the Mayflower II will return to its berth in Plymouth. It will spend the winter at Mystic Seaport. The in May of 2020, the ship will make her debut in Boston from May 14 to 19 for Mayflower Sails 2020, a free maritime festival at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Its homecoming in Plymouth will be on May 21, in time to help the town mark the 400th anniversary of the original Pilgrim settlement in 1620. WATCH LIVE DIVE EXPEDITION IN STELLWAGEN BANK SANCTUARY From September 17 to 19, scientists from NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Marine Imaging Technologies will explore the shipwreck SS Portland, which sank in a gale in 1898 in waters now part of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The public will be able to watch in real time as remotely operated vehicles livestream the mission. Live programs will air each afternoon, giving viewers the opportunity to interact directly with members of the expedition team and to learn about the unique relationship between the human and natural world of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Classrooms around the country also will be connecting with these team members through two-way communication, allowing students to dive deeper into the expedition. Go to the National Marine Sanctuaries web site to learn more. FLORIDA FISHERMEN GUILTY OF ANIMAL CRUELTY KILLING SHARK A Florida fisherman will spend five weekends in jail after pleading guilty to animal cruelty for dragging a live shark by its tail with his boat. His mate pled guilty to animal cruelty as well. In addition to his jail sentence, the captain of the boat will also pay a $2,500 fine, perform 250 hours of community service at an animal shelter, and lose his fishing license for three years. The case caught authorities' attention when a video surfaced of the men dragging the shark at high speeds behind their boat, shredding the animal to pieces. The fishermen said all they were doing were dragging a line. 27 YEARS ON RADIO STATION WATD 95.9 FM Tune in to "Nautical Talk Radio" with Capt Lou and crew Sunday mornings 11-noon (Boston time) on radio stations 95.9FM, and soon to return on 1510AM WMEX, for the latest nautical news. Also streamed around the world on www.959watd.com. Listen anytime to replay of recent shows at at www.NauticalTalk.com. Recipient of 2018 Mass Boating & Yacht Clubs "Gannett Award" Winner of MASS/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW" Winner of Boston's Achievement in Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" award Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY" award Recipient of Coast Guard's Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service Nominated Boston's A,I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM" Judge of IBEX Innovation Products Judge of NMMA's Progressive New England Boat Show's Exhibitors 25 Year Retired Status U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Member of Boston Harbor Islands National Park Advisory Council Member of South Shore Harbormasters Association Member of Mass Marine Trades Association Member of Quincy Bay Race Week Member of Mass Boating and Yacht Club Association Member of Stellwagen Bank Charterboat Association Member of Boat Writers International Member of Boat/US Life Member of Mass Striped Bass Association Life Member and Past Commodore of Metropolitan Yacht Club

 

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS ON RADIO STATION 95.9FM WATD"

Listen to the live broadcast of "Nautical Talk Radio" with Capt Lou and crew, Sunday mornings from 11 - 12 noon (Boston time) on radio station  95.9FM WATD, streaming around the world on www.959watd.com. You can also listen to a replay of recent shows anytime during the week a www.NauticalTalk.com.

* Winner of Mass/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW"
* Winner of Boston's Achievement In Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" AWARD
* Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY AWARD"
* Recipient of Coast Guard's Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service
* Nominated Boston's A.I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM"
* Judge of IBEX Innovation Products
* Judge of New England Boat Show's Best Exhibitors
* Member of Boston Harbor Islands National Park Advisory Council
* Member of South Shore Harbormaster Association
* Member of Quincy Bay Race Week Association
* Member of Stellwagen Bank Charterboat Association
* Member of Boat Writers International
* Life Member of Mass Striped Bass Association
* Life Member and Past Commodore of Metropolitan Yacht Club