Lighthouses of New York Harbor

Here's an audio slideshow from the Times, narrated by a Coast Guard petty officer, describing the lighthouses of New York. Particular mention is made of Stepping Stones off City Island and Execution Rocks off Sands Point.

Here's the link to the NY Times

Issuma: underway north from La Plata, Buenos Aires

So it's sunrise for Richard and crew as they head north from the La Plata River/Buenos Aires and Montevideo.  The current course hugs the east coast of Brazil  - see the graphic.  Issuma's blog link is in the blogroll at the top of the page.

Good time of year to be heading north.  It would be great to see Issuma in New York in May.  And Labrador in June??  Just guessing, but knowing Richard's yearning for high latitudes, it could be in the works.

A Foggy Day - Part 2 - Rowing to the City Island Bridge

It was a misty day, high of 45 as a big low pressure system moved up the coast. A steady 10-12 mph breeze blew right out of the east. Visibility of 1/4 mile kept me a couple hundred yards off shore as I rowed my 8 foot injection-molded plastic dinghy the mile from City Island YC to the City Island bridge.

I hope the City stays broke for a while - and does not implement the Department of Design & Construction's plan for a modern bridge to replace it. It is a steel swing bridge, rotating on a central pedestal. At least it did. It doesn't open any more.

And I hope they take down that ugly cyclone fence. Why do they want to obstruct fishermen? They do no harm and can be easily found if they get out of hand. They'll be waiting at their favorite spots hoping a fish will bite.

Here is the photostream for the day. It was a landmark: I have rowed my boat at least once in each month of the year!

A foggy day - Part 1 - Hunter Island

Today the tide was high - a predicted 8.6 feet flooded the marsh at Pelham Bay Park, Hunter Island preserve. I think dogs bred as hunters are part of the natural environment.

James was in his native environment and happy, as you can see.

This is the Bronx!

Volvo: Qingdao to Rio - 40 days

Ericsson 3 and Ericsson 4 finished 1-2 in the Qingdao to Rio leg.  12,300 miles of glorious sailing, danger, and discomfort.  40 days - February 14 - March 26.  40 days without a hot shower.

The hobbled Telefonica Blue was still 600 miles from the finish in light air when the Ericsson boats landed.  A particularly welcome landing for Ericsson 4 skipper Torben Grael, the great Brazilian Olympian and America's Cup skipper, who was greeted by his wife and daughter.

Pilots in the Penobscot Bay

Tugster's recent post about Sandy Hook pilots reminded me of a smoky afternoon in summer 2005 as I headed single-handed in the 18 foot Parker skiff down the edge of the West Penobscot Bay shipping channel - bound for North Haven for a look-see.  Out of the mist appeared a huge bulk carrier with a pilot boat escort.  When something like that appears suddenly at 11 O'Clock one mile off it is alarming.

The size of the ship that is shown by the way it dwarfs the little (80 foot?) PenBay pilot boat.

The Peking - under tow - and at the Horn

The Peking is a legendary ship - one of the last great cargo ships to ply its trade under wind power.  And because of the legendary film footage (below) by Capt. Irwin Johnson who went aloft in horrific conditions to document the storm we know something of its adventures.

The ship belongs to South Street Seaport Museum and resides next to the Wavertree.   Tugster's partner caught her under tow in January 2008.  

The last time we had a Tall Ships visit to NY (was that 2000?) the Wavertree was cleared by  the Coast Guard to put up some canvas, but the Peking not.

At least it's in the water - unlike the great Danish warship the Fregatten Jylland - perfectly preserved but sitting in a dry concrete berth, in Ebeltoft, Jutland.

Bowsprite has posted these lovely watercolors (and more), with conscientiously drawn and delighful details of the great ship.  

And  Tugster has historical shots of the old bulk carrier.

Volvo: Around the Horn w/o a Forestay

Bouwe Bekking and the crew of Telefonica Blue have rounded the Horn.  They did the last 2,000 of the 10,000 mile jaunt from Qingdao with no forestay.  A jury rigged jib halyard did the job.  2,00 miles to go to Rio.  One hopes there will be a stop in Ushuaia for a new fitting, though no announcement yet.

Presidio Yacht Club

At the base of the north tower is the Golden Gate Motor Lifeboat Station, U.S.C.G., and the Travis Marina, home of the Presidio Yacht Club.  It is affiliated with the Travis Air Force Base, the heir of the Ft. Baker garrison which once manned the fearsome batteries that guarded the approaches to San Francisco Bay from Point Reyes to the Gate.

There I spent five days aboard the Herreshoff H-28 Fjord, a fine boat whose captain earned his slip under fire forty years ago.

The full slide show is here

Volvo: Green Dragon rounds Horn on St. Paddy's Day

Four of the five boats still racing have rounded the Horn.  Telefonica Blue - amazingly - is still racng - though 700+ miles from the leader and 500 miles from the Cape.  Impressive when you know they have no forestay.

And the Irish-crewed, Chinese-built Green Dragon rounded on St. Patrick's Day.  Normally I hate images of leprechauns and silly hats, but you have to forgive this one.

Here's the link