MOMENT OF TRUTH - - LONG OVERDUE - -

 -TO ALL- 

ARMY, NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD, MERCHANT MARINE

Thanks to Bob Harkins, N. Wildwood, NJ (X Coastie Shipmate) for the above YouTube link

USCGC POINT WELCOME REMEMBERED

A TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY - VIETNAM 1966

IN MEMORY ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY 2012

Chief Patterson succumbed to cancer on April 12, 2010.  On June 16, 2010, a memorial service and burial at sea was held for this Vietnam War Era Coast Guard Hero, Chief Boatswains Mate Richard Patterson.  BMC Patterson was a legendary Coastie honored for his heroic courage under fire when the CGC Point Welcome (WPB 82329) was attacked by friendly fire from U.S. Air Force aircraft near the demilitarized zone in South Vietnam on August 11, 1966. Chief Patterson saved the cutter and the surviving crew and was awarded a Bronze Star with the combat “V” device for his actions.

TO ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN EVERYTHING

REST IN PEACE -

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! RIVER MONSTERS - SEASON 4, APRIL 1st

SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012, 8:00 P.M. CENTRAL

SEASON 4 PREMIERE!! 

Nearly 11 long months ago we had the privledge to work with the RIVER MONSTER'S Production Team, Host and crew, filming some segments for the upcoming season.  We can only HOPE that after 3+ days of work, cold water, "hurry up and wait", we may be able to see some of our efforts actually played out in the alleged 2 hour opening special of this popular Animal Planet series hosted by Mr Wade.  RIVER MONSTER'S is keeping details about SEASON 4 tightly held and we have so far been unable to uncover any hints that our brief role even made it to the final production. - - On March 14, they released this "Teaser" on YOUTUBE:

NOTHING on the "Teaser" hints to the LAKE OF THE OZARKS portion of the SHOW, so I guess we will have to stock up on the Popcorn, and turn on the "Tube" Sunday April 1st and see how it goes - - -
As I said in the posts on this I made nearly a year ago, having been involved in film productions in the past - - Our little 15 seconds of fame - - may have been reduced to less than 1.5 seconds of "bubbles" and splashing water - - if that.  If you would like to review the RIVER MONSTER'S, Lake of the Ozarks stories from the filming last May - - click HERE or go to the "SEARCH" box in the top left corner of this Blog and enter "RIVER MONSTERS" - - - - -

Grandson RYAN DUBINSKI (Left) RM Host and Cousin JONAH DUBINSKI after Filming last May

BACK in the DAY - FIVE FATHOM BANK LIGHTSHIP -



FIVE FATHOM BANK USCG LIGHTSHIP (WAL 530)
15 MILES OFF DELAWARE BAY

FIVE FATHOM BANK LIGHTSHIP circa 1966
Taken from USCG 30500 dropping off an Electonic's Tech

 After graduation from USCG bootcamp in Capt May, N.J. in 1965, my first duty assignment was "Cape May Station", Boathouse - A "Fireman Apprentice" at the time, I was assigned as Engineer crewman to the Patrol Boats that ran SAR calls off the coast of N.J. and the Delaware BAY.  In addition to Search and Rescue, we also ran "service calls" to the two Lightships off the Jersey Coast and the 5 lighthouses in the Delaware Bay.  Crew changes, supplies and other runs to the "lights" were made by one of the boats and crew from Cape May station.  I took this photo on one of my first runs as crewman aboard a 30ft CG Patrol Boat (CG 30500, Fiberglass 30ft patrol boat with Turbo-charged 671 GM Diesel).

"LIGHTSHIPS" were USCG floating Lighthouses which were anchored on or near dangerous shoals, marking their location to warn off  large vessels to steer clear.  They also sent out a constant radio signal (beacon) which often made them "targets" for large vessels running on "Auto-pilot" - - Lightships stayed put in virtually all weather they would sometimes "blow" off station.  Lightship duty was sometimes boring and could be dangerous - -

VESSEL DESIGNATION: LV 108 / WAL 530
_______________________________________
YEAR BUILT: 1923
BUILT AT: Bath (ME)
BUILDER: Bath Iron Works
CONTRACT PRICE: $200,000
SISTER VESSELS: LV 106,107,109,110,111
DESIGN: Steam screw; steel hull, steel pilot house and deckhouses; 2 masts with lantern galleries, smokestack amidships
LENGTH: 132'4" (loa); BEAM: 30'0"; DRAFT: 14'7"; TONNAGE: 775 displ

PROPULSION: Steam - compound reciprocating engine, 400 IHP; 2 oil fired Scotch marine boilers, 120 psi; 4 bladed propeller; max speed 9 knots
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 375mm electric lens lantern at each masthead
FOG SIGNAL: 12" steam chime whistle, submarine bell, hand operated bell
Delivered Sep 17, 1923-
Equipped with~ radio and radiobeacon when built-
1935: Fog signal changed to steam diaphragm horn-
1945: Fitted with detection radar-
1959: Steam power plant removed; repowered with GM 268A diesel 500HP, 4' 9" dia propeller; max speed listed as 6 knots-
1964: USCG lists vessel with duplex 375mm lens lantern on foremast, 15,000cp each lamp; F2T air diaphone; CR-103 radar, otherwise as shown above-
Radio and visual call sign NMGW (1940-1964)
HISTORICAL NOTES:
1929 Jun 8, crew rescued USCG warrant officer, pilot of amphibian aircraft which made forced landing near lightship; plane was brought alongside and pumped out; later picked up and taken ashore by tender-
1930 Jun, radiobeacon of Five Fathom LV 108 sequenced with Overfalls and Winter Quarter
1945-1970: She was stationed at Five Fathom Bank (NJ) until retired.

HistoryThe Five Fathom Bank Lightship station was located in the Atlantic Ocean about 14.7 miles and 100 degrees from the Cape May Lighthouse.While records indicate the station was established around 1837, there are some records that indicate it could have been as early as 1835. The first vessel stationed on Five Fathom Bank has not been identified, but contemporary accounts describe the vessel as "decayed and leaky."

ADDITIONAL “Five Fathom” LV history can be found @ http://www.njlhs.org/njlight/fivefatham.html
(Gives additional background and history on Previous lightships stationed @ Five Fathom prior to WAL530)

RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1970; AGE: 47
SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Decommissioned Aug 31, 1970; donated Dec 29, 1971 (recipient not shown). Said to have been scrapped at Norfolk (VA), 1975

Below - Five Fathom Circa: 1945

U.S. COAST GUARD - INDUSTRY DAY, HERE, FEB 16,2012

INTERESTED IN MARINE OPPORTUNITIES ON

LAKE OF THE OZARKS?

You NEED to attend -

Find out what Federal requirements and licensing apply to various elements of operating passenger's for HIRE, such as Charter, Fish Guides, Water Taxi, Parasail, Assistance Towing and any similar operation in which you receive ANY form of compensation to carry passengers aboard your vessel or any other. 
QUESTIONS??

You can also call us @ 573 216-4701

SOOO - THINK YOUR IN THE "RECOVERY" BUSINESS?

SCENARIO - Small car goes in to drink - (see guy standing on car)

STEP 1- CALL IN CRANE TRUCK PLUCK LITTLE CAR OUT OF DRINK - -

STEP 2 - AMOST THERE - BOOM OVER - - -

STEP 3 - OH S***!!!!!!

STEP 4 - O.K. - NO PROB CALL IN BIGGER CRANE TRUCK - -

STEP 5 - O.K. BOYS - CAR IS OUT - GREAT - !

 NOW LETS GET THE OTHER TRUCK OUT - - - -

O.K. - bring her up  - - -WTF!!!

Thanks to  Mike Gillespie - Lake Area History for the link & Picts!!

February 2, 2012 - Did MOTHER NATURE miss the Memo?

ITS NOT NICE TO FOOL MOTHER NATURE - - -  "WINTER" - -  WHAT WINTER?

LAKE OF THE OZARKS,  FEB 2, 2012 - - -  SUNNY,  65 DEGREES

I'M THINK'N WE'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!!!

HOW ABOUT "WORKIN ON A TREASURE HUNT"? - Arrrggghhh!

The SS Port Nicholson was sunk off the coast of Cape Cod by a German U-boat in June 1942.
Recover $3 billion in treasure from WWII shipwreck -

Steamer sunk by German U-boat while carrying a fortune in platinum ingots

FEBRUARY 1, 2012
By Philip Caulfield / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

via BITTER END BLOG

A crew of Maine treasure hunters is gearing up to salvage a World War II shipwreck off the coast of Cape Cod believed to be loaded with precious metals worth $3 billion.

The SS Port Nicholson was reportedly carrying more than 70 tons in platinum bars, payment to the U.S. from the Soviets for the war effort, when it was sunk off the coast of Cape Cod by a German U-boat on June 16, 1942.

Treasure chasers at the Sub Sea Research company snatched up the legal rights to the wreck and its cargo in 2009, and they hope to begin gathering the booty in late February or early March.

“Maybe I'll buy a small island in the Caribbean,” Greg Brooks, Sub Sea Researcher's co-founder, joked to the Boston Globe.

But the salvage mission hasn't been smooth sailing so far.

The group has been plagued by funding issues, and is currently looking for a deep sea rover strong enough to haul one of the 30 boxes of platinum ingots to the surface from the sea floor, 800 feet below, according to local reports.

Brooks and his crew are also worried about a loophole that would allow another group to swoop in and lay claim to the site to hunt for any leftovers after Sub Sea recovers the riches.

"They'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands," Brooks told the Cape Cod Times.

Read more: HERE

HOW ABOUT "WORKIN ON THE RIVER" -

SEE POST DECEMBER 21, 2011 Rollin on the River (again) American Queen"
WORKBOAT MAGAZINE Reports
Great American Steamboat to hire 300 

By WorkBoat Staff
1/31/2012

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Great American Steamboat Company announced today that it will be hiring over 300 new employees for the paddlewheeler American Queen, which is being refurbished at Bollinger Shipyards and will enter service in April.

A career fair will be held in Memphis during the third week of February, details of which will be forthcoming.

In preparation for the upcoming career fair, qualified applicants are encouraged to proceed to the company’s website and visit the careers section. 

The company will be seeking to fill numerous positions, including but not limited to hotel and hospitality, housekeeping, culinary, marine and technical crew and various front- and back-of-house positions.

The company said it offers attractive compensation packages, comprehensive health and medical benefits, convenient shift rotations and tremendous opportunities for advancement and growth.

Great American Steamboat is an equal opportunity employer that supports diversity in the workplace. Applications will only be accepted online and in person at the upcoming job fair.

Bollinger is refurbishing the American Queen for the Great American Steamboat Company. Photo courtesy Bollinger Shipyards. 

Weigh-to-Win Again in 2012 - NEWS FROM BOATU.S. ANGLER!

NEWS From BoatUS

Boat Owners Association of The United States

880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA  22304

BoatUS Press Room at http://www.BoatUS.com/pressroom

  

Weigh-to-Win Again in 2012

 ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 6, 2012 -- It’s simple, it’s affordable, it calms concerns about mechanical breakdowns, and it pays tournament cash bonuses. For those four reasons alone, the hundreds of anglers that signed up for BoatUS Angler and “Weigh-to-Win” in its inaugural 2011 season, can look forward to renewing and participating again this year.

That’s right, by purchasing a membership in BOATU.S. Angler, you get towing you can trust should you have a breakdown, plus the chance to win tournament cash bonuses when you sign up for the “Weigh-to-Win” program, all for as little as $38.

“Tournament anglers spend countless hours behind the wheel of their bass boat and tow vehicle,” said BoatUS Angler’s Steve Levi. “We’re offering a program that takes the hassles away with 24/7 dispatch assistance when either one breaks down, and gives you the chance to make some extra cash when competing in 287 professional fishing tournaments,”

Participation in BoatUS Angler’s “Weigh-to-Win” is as simple as signing up for any of the following invaluable programs. You choose which option appeals to you most.

The On-the-Road Towing package includes a BoatUS Angler membership for just $38 and is great for bass anglers concerned about breakdowns on the highway. Those who want on-the-water assistance would likely choose the On-the-Water Freshwater Towing package for $58.

Anglers that want their mind at ease, both on-the-road and on-the-water would choose the combined BoatUS Angler membership for $72.  All three offerings make you eligible to enter the “Weigh-to-Win” tournament cash bonus program at no additional cost.

Take it from guys like the BassZone.com’s Matt Pangrac who called for assistance from BoatUS after his bass boat’s trailer tire blew out on Interstate 35. Help was dispatched, the tire was replaced, and Pangrac went on to catch an 11-pound bass hours later. There’s also Bassmaster Elite Series pro Britt Myers who was stranded during practice for the Lake Wheeler Bassmaster Elite Series Event on the Tennessee River miles from the ramp with nightfall approaching, and now brags about BoatUS’ on-the-water towboat service. 

Better yet, top weekend anglers like Kip Carter, Tyler Moberly and Shonn Goodwin have never needed BoatUS’ towing assistance, but have hauled home hundreds of dollars simply by being BoatUS Angler members and doing well in their respective events.

Simply said, it pays to buy a highly affordable BoatUS Angler membership – especially when you’re registered for the Weigh-to-Win cash tournament bonus program, and that’s why hundreds of anglers signed up last year. To make sure you are eligible in 2012, just dial (918) 742-6424 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CST, and ask for Kendell, she’ll make sure you get signed-up. Or to learn more, please visit www.BoatUSFishing.com.

About BoatUS Angler:

BoatUS Angler, a membership program from the nation’s largest association of recreational boaters, BoatUS, offers boat-owning fishermen services such as on-the-water breakdown and towing assistance provided by the largest fleet of towboats in North America, roadside boat trailer and tow vehicle assistance through 18,000 specialized towing companies, and fishing boat insurance that has the right coverage for anglers. Visit BoatUSAngler.com for more.

"Rollin on the River (again) American Queen

The "Queen" moored, Hannibal, Missouri August, 2007

The "QUEEN" is NOT dead - "Long live the Queen"
Thanks to Capt Richard R.. - Bitter End Blog, on 12/19 - I caught this -

The LA Times is reporting:  December 14, 2011

American Queen steamboat will be rollin’ on the river again

The American Queen, the largest steamboat ever built, will return to the Mississippi River with cruises starting in April. The re-created riverboat that had ended service in 2008 returns under new management and with onboard entertainment and historians to keep it lively.

The complete LA Times post by Mary Forgione is here.

In August of 2007, Laura and I took grandson Ryan Dubinski on a day trip to Hannibal, MO, while touring Hannibal and doing the "Mark Twain" thing we were fortunate enough to find the "QUEEN" making a stop on the Hannibal waterfront.  She was an awesome sight to see up close and we would loved to have made a "cruise".  She was taken out of service in 2008, but looks like she has been revived - -  Maybe we can still make that trip - -

Hannibal waterfront August 2007

Laura, Ryan and some sailor - -

A PRIVILEGE ** and AN HONOR ** CRUISE (Part 1)

THE PRIVILEGE: - I was invited to come along on a "un-heralded" afternoon cruise this Saturday, which was part of the local 5th Annual Troop Appreciation Day - I had no idea it would also be such an HONOR:

M/V CELEBRATION

The troops that are serving or who have served in the last year, their spouses and children attending the TROOP APPRECIATION DAY, December 17, (see Lake Expo Break Bread with Heroes) were treated to an afternoon cruise aboard the M/V CELEBRATION (CELEBRATION CRUISES) Captain Mike Bouffiou, Owner, along with Captain Dave Anderson and members of the "Celebration" Crew treated over 130  Appreciation Day attendees to a cruise that afternoon.  The "Celebration" shoved off at 1:30 p.m. under a sunny sky and light breeze for an hour and half cruise.  The troops and their families with numerous children enjoyed the relaxing trip.  Most of them were just arriving in the lake area to attend the Appreciation Day scheduled to start @ 5:00p.m. at Tan-Tar-A.  Many were not aware, that one of the persons on board for the cruise was MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT,  Colonel Don (Doc) Ballard , Kansas City, MO , Missouri's only living Medal of Honor recipient. 

Ballard was born in Kansas City, Missouri and it was there that he enlisted in the United States Navy. Sent to Vietnam, Ballard served as a corpsman in the Quang Tri province with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (Mike 3/4) of the 3rd Marine Division. On May 16, 1968, Ballard treated two Marines suffering from heat exhaustion, and when returning to his unit from the casualty evacuation helicopter pad he and his company were attacked by the North Vietnamese Army. While under fire, Ballard directed aid to other wounded U.S. Marines and when a grenade landed nearby, Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. Grabbing the grenade and rolling upon one of his wounded comrades to protect him he threw the devise seconds before it harmlessly exploded. He calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating his Marines. For his actions, he received the United States of America's highest award, the Medal of Honor. In 1970, Ballard received the Navy Medal of Honor from President Richard M. Nixon and General Westmoreland . He then left the United States Navy and enlisted in Army officer candidate school. Westmoreland offered Ballard a direct commission; however Ballard turned it down for personal reasons. Ballard later joined the Kansas National Guard, and served as an ambulance platoon leader, company commander, and was tasked with creating the new 'Medical Detachment 5', a unit which performs medicals on Guard members in order to save the cost of contracting outside medical help, and of which he was the first member and commander. On April 5, 1998, Ballard was promoted to colonel by Major General James F. Reuger and served as Special Assistant to the Adjutant General until his retirement in 2000. Inducted into the National Guard Hall of Fame in November 2001, Ballard is the only living Kansas Guardsman to have received the Medal of Honor. He is also the subject of a memorial statue at the National Medical War Memorial in Kansas City, depicting Ballard during the action for which he received the Medal of Honor.

NOTE,  As a 21 year career Military retiree and Vietnam Vet, This was the first time I had ever met a "MEDAL OF HONOR" RECIPIENT, and though I only spoke with him briefly - - His first words to ME were - - "WELCOME HOME" - - -

CHRISTMAS TREE SHIPS - - LEGENDS, STORIES & CHRISTMAS TREE SHIP 2011

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder, acting as the “Christmas Ship," departed Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Tuesday morning (Nov 29) and was to arrive at Chicago’s Navy Pier at 8:30 a.m. Friday (Dec 2nd) for an annual event to distribute Christmas trees to deserving families on Saturday.

READ USCG NEWS RELEASE HERE

HEAR THE STORY OF THIS YEARS CHRISTMAS TREE SHIP (USCGC ALDER) LIVE, THIS SATURDAY (DEC 10) 7 to 8 A.M. ON BOB'S NO WAKE ZONE RADIO SHOW - KDKD AM - KDKD FM KXEA FM - WORLD WIDE STREAMING AUDIO @  

 www.bobsnowakezone.com

He will have the CO and crew (CGC Alder) ...and the head of the Committee from Chicago on the radio show this Saturday - - (scroll down to Live Radio Show and click either radio station button for audio...or come back Monday in the On Demand Dock Box to listen).

MORE READING AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE

CHRISTMAS TREE SHIP(S)

Lives and Legends of the Christmas Tree Ships -  brings the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes to life, using the tragic story of the schooner Rouse Simmons as a porthole into the robust but often forgotten communities that thrived along Lake Michigan from the Civil War to World War I.

For this book & others about CHRISTMAS TREE SHIPS - BARNES & NOBLE HERE

Memorialized in songs, poems, fiction, and even a musical, the infamous ship that went down in a Thanksgiving storm while delivering Christmas trees to Chicago has long been shrouded in myth and legend. As a result, the larger story of the captain, crew, and affected communities has often been overlooked. Fred Neuschel delves into this everyday life of camaraderie, drudgery, ambition, and adventure—with tales of the Midwest’s burgeoning immigrant groups and rapid industrialization—to create a true story that is even more fascinating than the celebrated legends.

The Christmas Tree Ship: Captain Herman E. Schuenemann and the Schooner Rouse Simmons
By Glenn V. Longacre - National Archives - - Story HERE

IN MEMORY, 70 YEARS - DAY OF INFAMY
I POSTED THIS STORY BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2009 - - DECIDED TO RUN IT AGAIN-
The US Coast Guard Cutter Taney is one of seven Treasury/Secretary-class cutters built for the Coast Guard in the Mid-1930s. Home ported in Honolulu, Hawaii beginning in 1937, Taney was attached to Destroyer Division 80 in the summer of 1941 and was in action against Japanese planes during the Pearl Harbor attack. Of the 101 U.S. fighting ships present in Hawaiian waters on 7 December 1941, Taney is the only one afloat today.

At sea for 80 of the first 90 days of war, Taney carried out anti-submarine patrols off Hawaii, and later served as a convoy escort in the Pacific through 1943. Following a major refit, the cutter was transferred to the Atlantic in 1944 where she escorted six convoys between the east coast of the US and North Africa. On 20 April 1944, Taney helped fight off a German torpedo bomber attack on Convoy USG 38 off Algiers. Converted to an Amphibious Command Ship in 1945, she participated in the battle for Okinawa downing four Japanese Kamikazes and one "Betty" bomber.

Known as "The Queen of the Pacific," Taney was home ported in Alameda, CA, from 1946 to 1972 carrying out ocean weather patrol, law enforcement and search and rescue duties. During 1969-70, the cutter was assigned to Coast Guard Squadron III off South Vietnam where she helped interdict the flow of arms along the coast, fired over 3400 rounds of 5/38 ammunition in naval gunfire support missions, and provided medical assistance to over 5,000 South Vietnamese civilians.
Transferred to Little Creek, VA and later Portsmouth, VA, in 1972, Taney completed the last Coast Guard ocean weather patrol in 1977, and from 1977 to 1986 carried out search and rescue duties, training cruises for the Coast Guard Academy, and drug interdiction in the Caribbean. In one 1985 drug bust Taney seized a record 160 tons of marijuana. Decommissioned on 7 December 1986, she is displayed in Baltimore's Inner Harbor along with USS Torsk and Lightship 116.

Class: Secretary Cutter
Launched: June 3, 1936
At: Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Length: 327 feet
Beam: 41 feet, 2 inches
Draft: 15 feet, 3 inches
Displacement: 2,560 tons
Armament: One 5-inch/38 caliber gun (1986)

USCGC Taney is a National Historic Landmark.
Address: Baltimore Maritime Museum 802 S. Caroline St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21231
(410) 396-3453
Fax: (410) 396-3393
Email: administration@historicships.org
http://www.historicships.org/ see also http://www.historicships.org/taney.html
Latitude: 39.28581, Longitude: -76.606293
Google Maps, Microsoft Bing, Yahoo Maps, Mapquest

MIXING "APPLES" and "TOWBOATS"??

TOWBOAT COMPANY FEATURED IN "APPLE" BUSINESS - 

SAFE SEA MARINE RESCUE

Rhode Island

SAFE  SEA, a TOWBOATU.S. service provider was recently featured by APPLE.  As you can see, APPLE technology has given the Assistance Towing Industry yet another nudge forward in professionalism and service.  We will all benefit from the lead that SAFE SEA has taken in providing better and faster service on the water.

View the iPAD in Business profile on SAFE SEA HERE.  (Hit "play" in center of picture to watch the 2+ minute video)

READ the entire story (with links) of how this all came about on SAFE SEA's website HERE

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SAFE SEA TEAM!!

MUSTANG SURVIVAL RECALL - Info From BOATU.S.

Passing on a notice we just received from TOWBOATU.S.
BoatU.S. reports:  A Voluntary recall of certain inflatable PFD's 
This recall is being issued for the inspection and repair of an inflator installation inconsistency that may prevent some units from fully inflating.


This recall notification is for only the MD2010 and MD2012 22LB buoyancy inflatable PFDs.  No other Mustang 

Survival products are affected as they utilize different inflator assembly methods. 

SEE RECALL NOTICE HERE: 

On the Road

I haven't been posting much lately as we have been on the road and things have really slowed down with both "boating" and of course the season ended at the farm as well - -  While headed back home, made a brief "rainy" day stop by TOWBOATU.S., Hopewell, Virginia. moorings.  City Point, the oldest part of Hopewell, was founded in 1613 by Sir Thomas Dale.  City Point is located on a bluff overlooking the James and Appomattox Rivers has been an important factor in Hopewell's history for almost four centuries. TOWBOATU.S., Hopewell, VA is located at Jordan Point Marina just below the Benjamin Harris Bridge on the James River.  

TowBoatU.S. Hopewell, VA, Benjamin Harris Bridge in Background

DUHHHHHHH - Not a Good Idea -

AS POSTED ON BITTER-END BLOG

COULD BE CATEGORIZED AS
"WHAT THE **** WERE YOU THINKIN"!



Extreme Racing Series, COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT, UK  AUGUST 6, 2011
The Marine Knutsen supertanker was being guided by a pilot boat into Southampton docks and was making its presence known by repeatedly sounding its horn. But one yacht didn't seem to give itself enough time to clear the massive boat and was hit before having its mast and rigging ripped off when one of its sails got caught in the tanker's anchor.

The yacht was quickly attended by several vessels offering assistance.


YACHT 0 - TANKER 1 
ME THINKS THE "PINK" SPINNAKER MADE A GOOD TARGET TO AIM AT - - -


THANKS TO BITTER END