Friday News Briefs
Here are a few news nuggets for your Friday:
Coastal Mexico Escapes the Worst from Hurricane Willa
Despite its strength and ominous portents, Hurricane Willa seems to have spared Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Like Hurricane Patricia three years ago, Willa moved quickly through the coast, causing what appears to be relatively little damage. Boating interests on the coast came through unscathed (the rural, mountainous areas inland are far more prone to flash flooding).
We spoke with harbormaster Saul Lopez of Marina Mazatlan, who said the coastal city hadn’t had a direct hit from a hurricane since 1975. Lopez said that Mazatlan hardly got any rain — only wind and mist.
Paradise Village Marina harbormaster Dick Markie is urging cruisers — especially sailors preparing to do the Ha-Ha — to bring much-needed supplies with them. “We accept food, clothing, sheets, blankets, cooking utensils,” Markie told us in an email. Supplies will be taken to residents of the state of Sinaloa who have been hit with flooding and mudslides.
Coast Guard Honors Sea Scouts for Summer Rescue
In July, Alameda-based Sea Scouts aboard the Pegasus plucked a kayaker out of the water. He was hypothermic after clinging to his boat for six hours. In September, both the Coast Guard and the Boy Scouts honored those involved with the rescue at the 25th Annual Safety at Sea seminar at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco.
“The Boy Scouts of America recognized the Sea Scout crew with the Medal of Merit, one of the national meritorious action awards to recognize a youth member or adult leader who has performed an act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others,” a Sea Scout press release said.
West Coast Circumnavigators Making Good Southing
Jeanne Socrates and Randall Reeves are making good southerly progress in their respective circumnavigation attempts. “It feels like we’ve made it over the first of many hurdles,” Reeves said in a “conversation” with Monte, his Monitor windvane. “[We’re] through the damned doldrums at last. We’re finally in clean, clear breezes that are going east ahead of schedule; the sky is blue and open. There was a tropic bird earlier. We might even cross the equator tomorrow. Things are going our way.”
Not far behind Reeves, Jeanne Socrates is also making good progress. “Another lovely sailing afternoon — bright sun, good wind,” she wrote yesterday. “A full moon lit up the sea last night — went on deck several times to adjust our course as the wind shifted and it was so bright. Lovely! The downside of such a bright moon, of course, is not being able to see many stars, despite the few clouds around.”
Joke of the Week
A sailor and a pirate were recounting their adventures at sea. Seeing the pirate’s peg leg, hook and eye patch, the sailor asked: “So, how did you end up with the peg leg?”
The pirate replied: “We were caught in a huge storm and a giant wave swept me overboard. Just as me crew were pullin’ me out, a school of sharks appeared and bit me leg off.”
“Blimey!” said the sailor. “And how’d you get the hook?”
“Arrrr . . .” mused the pirate. “I got into a fight over a woman in a bar, and me hand got chopped off.”
“Crap!” remarked the sailor. “And how about the eye patch?”
“Oh that,” said the pirate, looking embarrassed. A seagull droppin’ fell into me eye.”
“You lost your eye to a seagull dropping?” the sailor asked incredulously.
“Well . . .” said the old pirate,” it was me first day with the hook.” — Yachting & Boating World
