Mishap Monday. "The Hawai'i Aloha."

At approximately 5:45 AM on Saturday, January 3, the HAWAI’I ALOHA, a 75-foot sailboat operated by YWAM Ships Kona, capsized 4 miles offshore from the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. One of the vessel’s crew remains missing and the captain is currently hospitalized in Waimea with non-life threatening injuries. Read more here.

Santa Of The Day.

Santa goes sailing, incognito.
Stolen from Baydog.

Coming To A Blog Near You: Frozen.

Starring Thad as Olaf.

Light Air Days?

Hokey smokes, Bullwinkle. That's a big sail!
Via the H/V Vega.

No More Freaking Excuses!

USS Port Royal aground on a reef. No excuses. Poor watchstanding, navigation and piloting. Result: Loss of command. 

On 2 June 2009, the Navy disciplined four Port Royal officers for the grounding. In a hearing presided over by Vice Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, commander of the United States Third Fleet, John Carroll was given non-judicial punishment for "dereliction of duty and improper hazarding of a vessel." Port Royal Executive Officer Commander Steve Okun was also given non-judicial punishment for dereliction of duty at the same hearing. In a separate hearing, Rear Admiral Dixon Smith, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, imposed non-judicial punishment on two other, unnamed Port Royal officers and an enlisted seaman for dereliction of duty and improper hazarding of a vessel.

USS Guardian aground a reef. No excuses. Poor watchstanding, navigation and piloting. Result: Loss of command.

The U.S. Federal Government has apologized for the incident and have relieved from duty four officers, Lt. Cmdr. Mark A. Rice, his executive officer and navigator Lt. Daniel Tyler, the ship's assistant navigator and the officer of the deck at the time of the mishap. "The initial investigation findings clearly indicate that (the four) at the time of the grounding did not adhere to standard US Navy navigation procedures," the Manila Bulletin quoted the U.S. Navy as saying. The U.S. Government has acknowledged that the grounding was entirely preventable and caused by human error and a failure of leadership to provide adequate oversight and direction in planning and executing the Navigation Plan

"If the quickest route takes you through reefs or shallow water, you follow it, There’s no such thing as being more careful, You’re out there to win a race.” - Ken Read

“We are offshore in the middle of nowhere, and on the chart, if you don’t go on the maximum zoom you can’t see anything.” - Charles Caudrelier

I've been reading people making excuses for this mishap left and right. Just stop it!

The Great No Place To Sail In America Tour Continues. Requested By Bonnie, Today's Stop Is The Big Apple.

It's ludicrous to suggest New York as a sailing venue. It make absolutely no sense to hold an event in a place that is the media and finacial center of the United States, has hotels, restaurants, shopping, tourists, and a natural ampitheater that can accomidate a few million of your closest friends. What a dumb idea!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7CIgWZTdgw]

Besides, Larry doesn't want his galley slaves to be distracted.

Baydog Barks, "What About Barnegat Bay?"

Tsk, tsk, tsk....Baydog, Baydog, Baydog...it's in New Jersey!
Larry doesn't do the Jersey shore, wrong kind of rum drinks.

My Gosh, There's No Place To Sail In The USA.

Long Beach, no way!

San Francisco, are you kidding me? (Those guys supported the Kiwis.)

Miami, shiami!

Newport, really? Why on earth we hold an event there? I think someone calling himself the Tillerman lives there, god no!

How about Buzzards Bay? That's a no go!

Hawai'i? The Shogun owns one of her islands. Sorry, they serve Mai Tais, the wrong rum drink.

Key West! Who in their right mind would hold a sailing race off of a tiny island?

San Diego. Egads, the home of Dennis Connor! You need to see a shrink.

“We are offshore in the middle of nowhere, and on the chart, if you don’t go on the maximum zoom you can’t see anything.”

"It is far better to have absolutely no idea of where one is - and to know it - than to believe confidently that one is where one is not." - Jean-Dominique Cassini

Zoom.

Zoom, zoom.

Zoom, zoom, zoom!

I guess paper charts aren't so old fashioned after all.

Of course, this ribbing is all in good fun. I'm glad that everyone from Team Vestas Wind were rescued and unharmed. To quote Fredrik Lönegren, "Shit happens!"

Mishap Monday.

Barkeep, I like it straight up, not on the rocks!

Photo of Team Vestas Wind after grounding on a charted atoll in the Indian Ocean. Yes boys and girls, even the experienced guys screw up sometimes. To quote Fredrik Lönegren, "Shit happens!"

Mind you, I think the navigator is looking for new opportunities. Maybe he should leave his stint with Team Vestas off his CV. I'm just saying.

Wild Ride Wednesday. (moving pictures)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2MCOM-N1Eg]

Who'd a thunk that you could ride a Pico in high winds. Giddy up!

Cross posted at the water channel.

A Boat I'd Like To Sail.

The Truc 12 is simple, has beautiful lines, and appears to sail well.
I'd love to take one out for a sail. Unfortunately, I have never seen one in the United States. So it looks like I'll just have to continue to daydream..unless someone out there has one and wouldn't mind letting me take a spin.

note: this boat has been on my mind since 2009....also, I'm a sucker for wooden boats.

Optimus Prime! (moving pictures) (sailing video)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZSLKzaHEAQ]

Wow, tough boat!

Spectacular Video Of Rabaul Volcano. (Moving Pictures)

https://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125506007@N06/14891231740/player/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125506007@N06/15054885516/player/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125506007@N06/15074806971/player/

Chris Hamilton captures Rabaul as it erupts.

Sailing Photo Of The Day.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125506007@N06/14993886871/player/

Innovation is the name of the game.

Laserpalooza!

There was a little event on the Bay this past weekend.  It was actually more impressive than the one we had last summer put on by the King of Lana'i.

I wonder who won?

note to self: I can't believe I took 600+ photos. I need to focus.

The Return Of The Banshee?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLzjALRLuQQ]

Do I really want to go down this path again?

I rescued Orange Peeler.

Orange deux? $60! A dinghy that was desinged for San Francisco Bay. I love Bay boats (Cal 20s, El Toros, Olson 30s, Wylie Wabbits, etc).

Yeah, I know, some troll out there will tell me that it's only worthy of scuttling and being turned into a reef. My question to you is, have you ever sailed a Banshee? If you haven't, shut the f#ck up!

Sail Porn.

//player.vimeo.com/video/99478355

Black Jack Reflections from Flow Visuals on Vimeo.

Those Lazy Days Of Summer.

Continue, up at the Lake.

The Lazy Days.

Of Summer.
Trim your sails, young man!