Documentation Renewal SCAM ALERT!

I'm posting this to make mariners out there aware of a scam some companies are running to take your money for renewing your vessel's USCG document.

The renewal of your USCG document costs $26 and you can do it one of two ways. You can go here:

www.dco.uscg.mil

and click on the Renewal button in the menu to the left of the page.

Or you can go here:

www.pay.gov

and do a SEARCH for "Vessel Documentation" and hit the "Continue to Form" button.

Pay.Gov is direct. The USCG web page will link you back to Pay.Gov. Either way, the process is simple and straightforward. Pay with a credit card. The cost is $26.

These private service companies that are offering to do this for you are charging $75, and they are not upfront with who they represent. In fact, they are trying to deceive you into thinking they are officially representing the USCG as a documentation service.

If you get a letter from uscgdocumentation.us or vesseldocumentation.org, throw it in the garbage and follow the instructions above.

Do not be fooled by what these companies are offering. They are stealing your money.

A Float Note

Before attempting to take a stranded vessel in tow, especially one that has been storm-tossed onto hard bottom, it's wise to conduct a thorough survey, make temporary repairs as required, and take every precaution to ensure a safe passage. This means making certain onboard bilge and/or emergency pumps can stay ahead of flooding, and securing against fire and catastrophic loss of stability.

SEAWOLF IN ROCKLAND HARBOR, MAINE

Shift Change at French Lighthouse: http://youtu.be/64dfpnhsu1g

Sea Rescue (raw footage)

"Sick baby rescued in Pacific Ocean" - http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=304492385

Will Loran Make a Comeback?

The short answer is: It already has in Northern Europe and elsewhere.

Enhanced-Loran (eLoran) is the upgraded version of Loran-C. Although President Obama cut funding for the USCG's oversight and manning of Loran stations in the US in 2009, contributing to the complete phasing out of Loran-C transmissions in North America in 2010, government and other studies have provided convincing evidence that the land-based radio-navigation system is the only available back-up, as well as the most viable navigational adjunct, to the GPS satellite network currently serving as the world's primary signal delivery system. Furthermore the Loran signal is a more robust signal than that which comes from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which makes it less vulnerable to interference or jamming.

The Department for Transport in the UK approved eLoran and provided the necessary funds to make the system fully operational by the summer of 2014. And the Independent Assessment Team (IAT) of the Institute for Defense Analysis has shown that the cost of dismantling and phasing out of Loran in the U.S. will actually exceed the cost of upgrading to eLoran.

Enhanced-Loran has become even more important as a result of the Obama administration's retirement of the Space Shuttle Program and its cutting back on funding to NASA. According to the GAO, the GPS upgrade program is about three years behind schedule.

Tell this administration through your congressmen that it should approve funding for programs that directly impact this country's strength and security. If they think it's critical for mariners and others in the UK and Northern Europe, this administration should think it's equally important for us here in America.

Working on the Water

Upcoming Working on the Water Gathering.

Carnival Cruise Lines

People have been asking: What's going on with Carnival Cruise Lines? I mean , how many toilets have to overflow before someone takes a long, hard look at the fleet. If these were airplanes, they'd be grounded indefinitely. So, is it an intake problem? Are the generators just getting old? Do they need to be rebuilt? Are there wiring issues? Is it a breaker problem? Are the ships being sabotaged? Lots of questions and very few answers. All said, this has got to cut into business. At the very least, somebody is going to lose their job. Make that last line plural, because no way one person can be held solely responsible. Maybe the entire engineering management staff need to be replaced. Or maybe the bean counters.

MS CAROLINE - Vessel Stats

Asleep at the Helm. Vessel Stats: Vessel Information: Vessel Particulars: Vessel Name: MS CAROLINE VIN: 1199076 Hull Number: 1750 Vessel Flag: UNITED STATES Vessel Call Sign: WDD7349 Build Year: 2007 Service: Passenger (Inspected) Length: 156.4 ft Breadth: 31.0 ft Depth: 13.4 ft Alternate VINs: CG8613701199076, IMO Number: Service Information: Tonnage Information: Service: In Service Out Of Service Date: N/A Last Removed From Service By: N/A Deadweight: Gross Tonnage(GRT): 96 Net Tonnage(NRT): 66 Gross Tonnage(GT ITC): 409 Cargo Authority: Vessel Documents and Certifications Document Agency Date Issued Expiration Date CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION USCG April 24, 2012 May 31, 2013 Certificate of Inspection - Amended USCG May 16, 2007 May 16, 2012 Certificate of Inspection USCG May 16, 2007 May 16, 2012 Stability Letter ABS May 15, 2007

Marty Visits the Nina and Pinta

Replicas Visit the Hudson River. Thanks for the photos, Marty.