BoatU.S. - January/February 2010

to our marina for the final sojourn of the season, I picked up the November issue of BoatU.S. Magazine from the mailbox and much to my surprise and joy I found your article, “It’s the Journey That Counts” (At The Helm). I have also always dreamed of chartering in the British Virgin Islands and now your article may have just given me the courage to go. Thank you for an excellent magazine and the great work you do in support of recreational boating.

— Anthony Penizotto Amber, PA

Otter Eye-Opener

As a lifelong marine scientist who is growing more curmudgeonly by the decade, I noted the article, “Survival of the Cutest: Sea Otters Pass Health Check” (November 2009) by Suzannah Lydecker. From the title, I assumed I would be treated to another “sea otters are cute and fuzzy, charismatic megafauna animals” type story. I must say I was pleasantly surprised and I learned a few new things from the article — that the Washington sea otter population is mostly remnant from Alaskan transplants and that cat feces and sewage lines are the likely source of the virus. I appreciate the good work and the injection of science into BoatU.S. Magazine articles.

— Jim Murray, Deputy Director, National Sea Grant

College Program, NOAA Silver Spring, MD

Going Deep

The underwater camera review (“Dive In With Digital Cameras,” November 2009) is very interesting as I have been using scuba cameras for years. My first was a waterproof case for a Nikon pocket digital which was cumbersome to use. I now have two Olympus Stylus Tough cameras because having a backup camera when you are working is a good idea. I still use the old Olympus 1030 SW for video and stills. It is very handy but did show some leakage without damage. This stray leakage might be caused by having a very warm camera and then submerging it in cool water. The cooling air inside the camera will contract and sip water through the seals. Love that video mask.

— Jeff Lefebvre General Manager, Hazelett Marine Colchester, VT

A Certain Flare

I’m glad Chuck Husick discusses the use of out-of-date flares (November 2009). But I think he missed one of the greatest opportunities for the use of out-of-date flares: Practice. Most of us have never fired a flare (and hopefully never need to) and don’t know what to expect. Each year, the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club contacts the Coast Guard to let them know we plan to fire off flares (they send representatives). We go out and try each type of flare, gun and handheld parachute flares; it is surprising how much of a kick these can give. Many of our members learn a lot about how to use them safely. I would highly recommend every boating club do this each year.

— Bob Rafson Chicago, IL

Two Flares Are Better Than One

Chuck Husick’s article “What To Do With Outdated Flares” (November 2009) got my attention because I’ve been told by different boarding parties that outdated flares are to be taken off the boat or clearly labeled that they are for safety drills only. The reasoning was that in an emergency you grab the newest, unexpired flares that have the best chance of functioning properly. My boat is a 43-foot commercial fishing vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. I can also tell you the importance of firing two flares. Fire one, then another within 30 seconds.

I travel at night often and sometimes you think you saw something from the corner of your eye. So you stare in that direction to try to confirm. Sometimes it’s a plane with landing lights going to a nearby airport. Or, it’s a flare but you don’t really know if you don’t see another one. U.S. Coast Guard meteor flare specs require 10,000 candlepower at peak with 5.5-sec- ond burn and maximum altitude for only a second or two. If you are not looking in the right direction it can cut that time to fractions of a second.

— Randy Wamble Naples, FL

Correction: One of the recalls listed in The Advocate, page 56, (November 2009) contained incorrect information. The recall is for Mercury Marine. The correct recall number is 080041T (not 080041S) and it pertains to engine serial numbers between 1B692800 to 1B719209. The correct phone number for Mercury is 920-929-5040.