GATHERING UP THE FLOCK - -

The last day of the year was closed out with 2 "DRIFT AWAY" cases.  We had a Sunny & Warm New Year's Eve, with temperatures in the mid 60's but winds were running WSW @ 15-20 with gusts to 40 mph.  The combination of "warm" / "cold" weather contrasts along with high winds usually results in a fair number of "DRIFT AWAY'S", where Boat Lifts leak down and the vessel is not secured to the dock - - so it decides to leave home - -  ONCE AGAIN AS BEFORE -

"TIE OFF THY BOAT"

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

THIS YAMA PWC DRIFTED ABOUT 1/4
MILE FROM HOME AFTER LIFT LEAK
DOWN -  AGAINST SHORE AND DOCK
CABLES - - MINOR DAMAGE

THIS REGAL DRIFTED OFF AFTER LIFT
LEAKED DOWN - - DRIFTED OVER A MILE
ACROSS THE LAKE FROM THE SUNRISE
BEACH SIDE TO HORSESHOE BEND AND CAME
TO REST AGAINST BREAKWATER

BELIEVE - Thanks SANTA!

On a recent cold weather call - - Our 24 ft X USCG Justice Class TowBoat had a close encounter of the best kind - - It seems that Santa just happened to be making a pre-Christmas test flight near the state park in the Glaize Arm  - his sleigh appeared to be grossly overloaded and there was no doubt he would soon be making an unscheduled water landing - the look of panic in the struggling Reindeer eyes was easily read by our Towboat Captain.  He carefully maneuvered the TowBoat under the slowly descending sleigh and as the runners touched down on the deck of the TowBoat, the Reindeer were able to compose themselves and stay just off the water as the TowBoat supported the heavy sleigh.  Santa said not a word, but looked at our captain with a huge grin and twinkling eye - - He motioned to two panicked elves who were cowering in the back of the sleigh and directed them to offload some objects from the sleigh - - Twin VERADO 200's were quickly dropped on the deck - - Santa gave the reins a slight tap - looked back and waved as the Reindeer quickly ascended with the now much lighter sleigh - BELIEVE! - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

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: 

sunday cruise - MONDAY BLUES- -

OUCH!!  Well it appears that "Murphy" has once again left Rhode Island and returned to the LAKE - - - See recent "Safe Sea" Fleet Manager Andy Casey's recent post on his blog "The Drive Train" Preventative Maintenance Strikes Again!  I had just read this most informative post last week and I suspected we might have a similar problem on the "Point Young", as after about a 1000 hours of listening to the Yanmar Diesel, I had started hearing a faint "tick" coming from the engine room.  Earlier inspections revealed no obvious problems, but upon returning to port from Sunday's cruise - - - The black exhaust carbon build-up around the exhaust manifold and valve cover of the Point Young's Main Engine became VERY apparent!!  Thanks to ANDY and the guys at Safe Sea, after some phone consultation, we should be well on the way to making the repairs once we get the parts.  Looks like the Point Young will be out of service for awhile - -  On both the long shot and detail, you can see the exhaust carbon showing up between the Exhaust manifold and the rocker cover, the color goes from gray forward to BLACK - - -