Welcome to Episode 75 of TheBoaters TV!
Please Rate It (Even If You Hate It) at the Link Below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-f46O3rDM0
First up: Barcelona World Race Near Collision and Update
Last week in the Barcelona World Race, team Hugo Boss had a scary near collision with a merchant cargo ship.
Skipper Alex Thomson had spotted the oncoming ship when she was still a good five miles away, but the cargo ship failed to see the black Hugo Boss monohull -- and consequently, was at fault in the incident.
According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) also states that "Except in narrow channels, traffic schemes, and when overtaking, a power-driven vessel must give way to a sailing vessel." Again, fault goes to the cargo ship, whose responsibility it was to steer away from the sailing Open 60.
The duo aboard Hugo Boss tried to avoid the collision by altering their course a few degrees, which caused the vessel to end up on its side. Not only did Hugo Boss recover, but from December 6th--7th, the team set a new 24-hour record for monohulls up to 60 foot -- 492.7 miles.
As of this morning (December 10th), they are in 3rd place.
Here are the current standings:
1. Paprec Virbac 2, DTF: 16,809
2. Veolia Environnement, DTF: + 110
3. Hugo Boss, DTF: +197
4. Delta Dore, DTF: + 409
5. Temenos 2, DTF: + 819
6. Mutua Madrileña, DTF: + 1194
7. PRB, DTF: + 1203 (NOTE: PRB has been in the lead last week, but there mast was broken over the weekend! See the story in our News section on the homepage of TheBoaters.com)
8. Estrella Damm, DTF: + 1430
9. Educación Sin Fronteras, DTF: + 1934
Next up - Miami Mermaids Making a Major Splash at Parties and Events
Made up of three Mur-people: Mermaid Medina, Mermaid Misty and even a MerMALE, MerTini, this trio can be hired to swim in your pool or simply hang around "shipwrecked" (as they call it) when there is no pool or water.
Find our more on their website at www.MiamiMermaids.net or visit the Miami Mermaids' MySpace page (www.MySpace.com/miamimermaids) where, in their Top Friends section, you'll find signs of an entire mermaid culture: You'll not only find the Florida Keys Marine Mammal Rescue Team, but even some of their other mermaid pals.
Finally Today - BoatUS Tips for Preventing Sailboat Sinkings
When studying their insurance case files, BoatUS (the Boat Owners Association of the United States) found that 40 percent of the sinkings on file were caused by vessels striking a submerged object. Another 16 percent of reported sinking cases held that it was a broken prop shaft or strut that was responsible.
In today's episode, we give you five BoatUS tips on how to prevent your sailboat from becoming another statistic. For more tips, please visit www.BoatUS.com.
* * * Note: Julie is no longer affiliated with TheBoaters in any way.