Photo of the Day

August 14 - Pacific Ocean

Today's 'the ocean is so great and my ship is so small' photo was taken on August 2 just east of Anacapa Island. We have no idea what boat it is, but it sure looked gloomy out there. Despite appearances, it was actually quite nice.

Birkenfeld Still In Intensive Care

August 14 - Glyfada, Greece

On August 8, Kimberly Birkenfeld, the number #1 ranked sailboarder on the U.S. Olympic team, was hit by a motorboat while practicing off Glyfada, Greece, for the 2002 Athens Regatta. She suffered two major injuries, one to the base of her skull, the other a severe laceration of her leg. Doctors, who are said to be cautiously optimistic about her recovery, are encouraged that she is beginning to be able to respond to external stimuli.

A Cat Out of Water

August 14 - Pacific Northwest

An unnamed 65 foot catamaran was recently pulled through what looks like a lumber mill in the Pacific Northwest on her way to the sea. Like most new boats, she's behind schedule and has some teething problems, but she should arrive at her new San Francisco Bay home before too long. She's intended to carry over 100 passengers. When the time is right, we'll tell you all about her.

No Osama on Catalina

August 14 - Catalina

As previously reported, one of the reasons for our taking Profligate to Catalina this month was to stand guard against the rumored invasion by al Qaeda forces. The curious thing is that much of the Catalina landscape is similar to that of Afghanistan. Indeed, our suspicions were aroused by the sight of this semi truck roaring up the dusty switchbacks on the back side of the island near Little Harbor. There's almost nothing on the back side of the island - no Home Depot, no Costco - to warrant such a big vehicle, so we suggest that the L.A. Sheriff check out the trailer for arms, ammo, and people who don't know the Rams moved to St. Louis.

After days of searching for al Qaeda, the closest thing we could find was on the dirt road above Cherry Cove where we came across the ominous-looking individual outfitted in camo and carrying a green cord that looked ideal for garroting.

Our first impression was that the individual was the point person in an imminent attack on the recreational fleet in Fourth of July Cove. Alas, it turned out to just be Doña de Mallorca doing her morning exercises - which somehow involved a green jump rope.

Boat Pets

August 14 - Hawaii

While in Hawaii covering the West Marine Pacific Cup, we stopped by Skip Allan's Wylie 28 Wildflower, the overall winner, for an interview. While aboard, Skip introduced us to his boat's pet, a five-inch long praying mantis. Skip petted the cute little guy, who didn't seem to mind. In fact, he'd been hanging out in the same general area of the starboard side of the boat for several days.

While later working at the Waikiki YC, a similar size praying mantis hopped onto the windshield of our rental car. Somehow he managed to cling to the smooth windshield in up to 35 mph of wind as we drove to the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. Having had a chance to observe a praying mantis at a distance of six inches for a long time, we know where people came up with the idea for the common depiction of the head of 'aliens'.

YOTREPS

August 14 - The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace

Who is out making passages in the Pacific and what kind of weather are they having? Check out YOTREPS - 'yacht reports' - at http://www.bitwrangler.com/yotreps/

Weather Updates

August 14 - Pacific Ocean

San Francisco Bay Weather

To see what the winds are like on the Bay and just outside the Gate right now, check out http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/wind/. The National Weather Service site for San Francisco Bay is at www.wrh.noaa.gov/Monterey/.

California Coast Weather

Looking for current as well as recent wind and sea readings from 17 buoys and stations between Pt. Arena and the Mexican border? Here's the place - which has further links to weather buoys and stations all over the U.S.: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Southwest.shtml.

Pacific Winds and Pressure

The University of Hawaii Dept. of Meteorology page posts a daily map of the NE Pacific Ocean barometric pressure and winds.

Pacific Sea State

Check out the Pacific Ocean sea states at: http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.
For views of sea states anywhere in the world, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data/.