Seaworthiness: America's Cup first race debacle

Emirates/Team NZ reaching in the second LV Cup race

There really is no denying it: the first race of the Challenger finals for the right to try to take the Americas Cup was a debacle.  Sportsmanship demands  seaworthiness. For sailors, as for all seamen seaworthiness is the objective of racing, of seamanship, and of design.  The first race of the Challenger finals saw both New Zealand and the Italians suffer major damage.  Prada broke down moments after the start and withdrew.  Emirates/TNZ nose-dived, throwing two crewmen into the San Francisco Bay.  Rescue teams fetched them out, and the damaged boat finished, uncontested, and shorthanded.  A debacle.

Capsizes and equipment failure are an acceptable part of the sport, as every dinghy sailor will tell you.  What makes the AC different is that the equipment has failed so early.  Seaworthiness was defined by the great admiralty judge Learned hand as "ability for the service undertaken".  The T.J. Hooper, 60 F. 2d 737 (2d Cir. 1932)  By that measure these AC 72's should not be raced because they are "not fit for (their) intended purpose", as the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals defines the term.
For independent thinking by a sailing master and photographer follow Stephen Lirakis.

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Captain JP's log: Crossing to Greenland: ice and fog

Captain JP - crossing the Greenland Sound from Iceland.  Ice forced a change in course. 
Captain JP's log: Crossing to Greenland: ice and fog:


'via Blog this'

Penobscot Bay and River Pilot disembarks Irving New England, then boards Penn 92 inbound

As we headed south from Allen Island, following the Monhegan boat route we spied an Irving supertanker, with a Penobscot Bay and River Pilots launch following alongside. We slowed and followed in the wake of the giant ship and the 40 foot pilot launch. We saw the pilot climb down the gangway and then the rope ladder of the giant tanker which was running in ballast, having delivered its cargo to he Port of Searsport. Then it turned south to deliver the PenBay and River pilot to the waiting Penn 92 pushed by Coho, inbound for the Searsport liquid cargo terminal. - GWC  (click pix to enlarge and for slideshow)

Cave dwelling

Each of us needs a room of one's own.
This is mine. 
(click pix to enlarge and for slideshow)

Wilbur Morse was the father of the Friendship sloop

Back River - Half Tide

Deer rest

Stones Point Plan of Partition

Public Records - Register of Deeds, Knox County, Maine