Memorial Day Memory

PBR MK 1

In honor of Memorial Day I offer up this photo that brought back particularly good memories of Capt. Steve Ayres, USNR (ret.) once a "6", and all my brothers and sisters who served and have continued to serve defending our country. For you youngsters out there this is a "PBR" - Patrol Boat Riverine MK 1. Entering service in 1966 they patrolled the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. At least two sailors won the Medal of Honor while fighting from these boats. At 19000 lbs dry with a top speed of about 32 mph they were maned by mid grade Navy enlisted personnel (E-5, E-6.)

This boat is on display at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story (in the Norfolk, VA area.)

Fair winds and following seas :)

US Coast Guard VHF Marine Safety Broadcasts

It has been noted by me and others that sometimes the US Coast Guard VHF marine safety broadcasts (Pan-Pan, Securite-Securite) can be difficult to understand or happen so quickly that one does not have the opportunity to find pencil and paper to write down the relevant information. If you are like me you are embarrassed to pick up the microphone and ask for a repeat.

The Coast Guard agrees that this is an issue worth study to determine opportunities to improve the communications. The point of contact in the USCG is Mr. Vernon Mann (Vernon.L.Mann@uscg.mil) Short Range Communications Program,Telecommunications Strategic Plans and Policy (CG-6521.) If you have constructive ideas I encourage you to pass them on to him.

As one who has strong positive feels about the USCG I only ask that you keep your comments brief and to the point and to remember the apocryphal Coast Guard Motto:  "We have to go out, we don't have to come back."

Fair winds and following seas :)

Back to the (Almost) begining

Yesterday I left the Dismal Swamp Canal and headed up to Norfolk VA. I am now at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek (Navy Base.) When I moved aboard in August 2009 Naval Operating Base Norfolk (just around the corner) was the first military marina on my cruise. It is also where I met Maury Thompson of Gypsysails, a sailing companion for many years.

Fair winds and following seas.

Be careful what you wish for

After enduring snow, sleet, freezing water and high winds the weather finally gave me a break. I was able to compound and wax Reboot. We also replaced the "pretty stripes" just below the deck level on the sides. They had cracked and flaked over the years. With new bottom paint and a new coat of wax she is looking pretty again.

Got the rudder back from repairs and we put it in Reboot this afternoon. Of course the weather decided not to cooperate again over the past couple of days - highs in the 90's. That makes working in the sun quite the dehydrating experience.

Fair winds and following seas :)