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Help us stop Illegal Drift Nets |
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Friday, 10 July 2009 12:14 |
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From María José Cornax
Marine Scientist
Oceana Trust 10th July 2009 Dear Editor The walls of death in the Mediterranean
The United Nations moratorium on the use of large scale driftnets on the high seas came into effect worldwide in 1993. At that time, the use of this fishing gear was widely extended around the world due to its high yield and was promoted by various administrations. However, the effects of these walls of death, which reached up to 40 km in length and 30 km in height depending on the area, were soon to be noticed. In the beginning of the 90s, it was estimated that these nets caused the deaths of 300,000 cetaceans around the world annually, while devastating the populations of other less well-known, although equally endangered, species such as pelagic sharks or sea turtles. Italy harboured the largest fleet in the world with some 700 vessels targeting swordfish in the Mediterranean Sea. With nets that reached 20 km in length, it soon became impossible to sail in the Tyrrhenian Sea at night. These nets also constituted a mortal trap for cetaceans in one of the most important areas for their conservation. It was estimated that 8,000 cetaceans died annually in these nets in the Italian seas alone. Sperm whales were amongst the most affected species and the population declined to only a few hundred specimens in the waters of the Mare Nostrum.
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Last Updated on Friday, 10 July 2009 12:18 |
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Wednesday, 10 June 2009 16:27 |
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 Dear Richard
Perhaps I've found an alternative to wifi - it's 3G, the new mobile phone system.
One of our peed off former BT users in the marina put me on to it, and although I'm already a Vodafone PAYG customer (I've used Vodafone ever since getting my first mobile 12 years ago or more and have no comnplaints!) I have to admit I've rashly signed up to their 3G Mobile Broadband Connection. Went into their Plymouth shop on Thursday and was on line soon after with only a few hassles.
OK, so what's 3G Mobile Broadband, what's it cost, what do you get, and what are the downsides?
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 June 2009 16:33 |
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A solution to the ATIS problem |
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Tuesday, 10 March 2009 23:27 |
Dear Richard,
On the topic of the RAINWAT agreement and the problems that British flagged yachts face in the RAINWAT inland waterways.
I gather that a handheld radio with ATIS is not likely to be the desirable solution although it is the first that comes to mind. In the RAINWAT agreement, it appears that, with the exception of The Nederlands and Switzerland, the handheld radio is only permitted to operate on channels 15 and 17.
Another complication is the requirement to disable dual-watch, while requiring simultaneous monitoring of two channels. Hence two radios are required.
Yet another is the requirement not to have the antenna higher than 12 m from the load line. My yacht has a 14 m mast and the VHF antenna is on top of that
Living in Brussels and over-wintering my boat there has meant that I needed to obey RAINWAT. My solution is to use my old non-DSC radio with ATIS and a push-pit mounted antenna and my new DSC radio with MMSI attached to the mast head antenna. I can listen simultaneously on both but only transmit on the old ATIS radio when inland. At sea, it is the DSC radio that is used for transmissions.
Hope this helps others with the RAINWAT puzzle.
Richard Idiens
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Re: So What's all the fuss about |
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Monday, 09 March 2009 13:43 |
Dear Editor
You wrote inter alia in the Editorial:- "But if you’re driving a RIB with an outboard, or even the rubber duck with an engine of the horsepower of a petulant donkey, and are over the limit then you will be committing an offence, because even if it isn’t over 7 meters long, it sure is designed to do more than 7 knots! "
I believe that this is a misinterpretation of the proposed S.I. which refers to:
"(a) a length overall less than 7 metres; and
(b) a maximum design speed not exceeding 7 knots".
Surely the operative word here is "and" so thus, to be committing an offence the craft would have to be over 7 metres LOA and designed for more than 7 knots.
I recently wrote at length to Richard Idiens on this subject because, much as I deplore the irresponsible consumption of alcohol, I believe that the proposed S.I. to be unworkable and unpoliceable and, if it comes to Court, unenforceable. And may, in a perverse sort of way, encourage irresponsible drinking by those who believe themselves to fall outside the rules.
If I am wrong in this, do let me know!
Regards
PETER PAGET
West House
Stein
Waternish, Isle of Skye |
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Last Updated on Monday, 09 March 2009 13:46 |
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Letters: Weld issues in Vendee Globe |
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Wednesday, 04 February 2009 14:17 |
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Reproduced from Scuttlebut Europe From Kenny Robertson AMIMechE: With all the talk about failing keels recently, I remember my reaction mid summer this year, when Yachting life had pictures of a fabricated canting keel being manufactured. Absolute shock. Whoever designs these things needs to dig out BS 7608 or other related standards such as PD5500 Annex C [pressure vessels - my thing] for advice on faigue resistant design and fabrication. |
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