Vancouver 2010

A spirited non-nautical musing.


This morning I mentioned to a group of folks that having dual-citizenship, I could root either way at this afternoon's Gold Cup hockey game, but that I did have a bias, which I wouldn't expose to them.


But now? 

OH, CANADA !!!!!!!!!!

YES !!

Oh, yes. Please excuse the shouting.

The Olympics and The Weather

OK, this is not exactly a boating post. That is, unless you decided to cruise up to Vancouver for the Olympics. On the other hand, however, I suspect that even boaters might have driven up to the Olympics. For the rest of us, we watch on the delayed (bad, bad NBC) broadcasts on TV.

But if you're waiting, and hoping, for weather that better fits what's needed and wanted for a Winter Olympics, you're probably going to be disappointed, very disappointed. Well, probably not as disappointed as our Vancouver neighbours and relatives, not to mention the local committee.

In a nut shell, it looks bad. As Cliff Mass, UW weather guru and my favorite weather authority (officially, professor of atmospheric science), describes in his latest blog posting, " the Olympics venue will be better for surfboarding than snowboarding. Heavy rain. Thick fog" for the next few days. Check out Cliff’s posting.

Ugh!

While even that most powerful International Olympic Committee can’t control Mother Nature, and slush happens, I can’t help but feel sorry for Vancouver, the athletes who won’t break world records, and my own Canadian roots - - Vancouver and North Van are probably my ancestral home.

But the Games will go on.

And we will watch and be thrilled and be amazed at the athletic skills of, oh, so many young men and women who have gathered to test their skills and delight their fans.

And thank you all for that!

And the Great Northwest will continue to be the Great Northwest, come rain or high water or slush.

Now They've Gone And Done It!

An AP bulletin today brought the grim news. "The plug is being pulled" was the lead sentence. In three weeks it will come to an end.

For years we heard that that this would happen, only to hear a bit later that there would be a reprieve. Now, no reprieve. They really mean it.

After over 25 years of popular use, the LORAN-C navigation system will end Monday, February 8th when most of the 24 transmission towers will be turned off, the remainder being shut down by October 1.

LORAN, the acronym for long-range-navigation, was developed for military ships and aircraft during World War II, and in 1957 a civilian version, LORAN-C was introduced. The basic system involved radio transmissions from two geographically separated towers, with the receiver measuring the time-of-arrival difference between the towers. It was extremely precise, pinpointed your exact position, your Latitude and Longitude.


I used my Ross LORAN-C for many years on the Lady Mick, eventually adding a GPS. While the GPS was far faster computing changes (LORAN-C always took a few seconds to 'catch up' if the change was severe), I always found my LORAN-C to be more accurate than the GPS when it came to getting me precisely to a waypoint or a particular spot out in the waters. I could rely on arriving sometimes within 10 yards of a target! Not bad.


While many, if not most recreational boaters headed for GPSs - - many didn't even know of LORAN-C, or else dismissed it as a technological relic, commercial fishermen seem to still use it as a trusted system. Well, not after February 8th, they won't.


The Department of Homeland Security, according to the AP, says that the elimination could save $36 million in 2010 and $190 million over five years. The US Coast Guard says it will result in eliminating 256 jobs.

LORAN-C

R.I.P.

Check Lists and All That

For years I've tried to impress on clients taking the CruiseMasters Boating instruction program, as well as other boaters recreational and professional, the use and value of check lists. In my own publication, "The Art of Basic Boathandling: A Training & Reference Manual" (which clients get free!) I must have at least a dozen sample checklists just waiting for the boat-owner to adapt for her or his particular vessel; for fueling, for preparing to dock, for leaving the dock, for anchoring, just to name a few. Not exactly exciting reading, but important, nevertheless.

Now comes some strong authentication: "The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right", by Atui Gawande, published by Metropolitan Books. Dr. Gawande, an American-trained surgeon from India, describes his book as being about how to prevent highly trained, specialized workers from making dumb mistakes. In a recent interview by the Seattle Times Dr. Gawande describes the key things about a checklist. It has to be short, limited to critical steps only. Generally the checking is not done by the top person. In the cockpit, the checklist is read by the copilot; in the operating room it is done best by a nurse.


For us boaters, our cruising partner (assuming that we are at the helm) could, and should, be the reader.

In his interview with Time's reporter Bruce Ramsey, Dr. Gawande traces commercial pilot use of checklists back to a flight in 1935, when Boeing's B-17 was being tested by the Army Air Corps. On that first flight it took off, stalled, crashed and burned. The new plane was complicated, and the highly experienced pilot had forgotten a routine step.

Sometimes hierarchy can present a problem. Ever met a skipper who knows it all? The doctor wondered how the this might play out in an operating room after a nurse saw a surgeon touch a non-sterile surface.

Nurse: "You have to change your glove."

Surgeon: "It's fine."

Nurse: "No, it's not. Don't be stupid."

Back to Ramsey's interview, highly intelligent and trained people are, occasionally, stupid. And the more complicated tasks become, the easier it is to crash and burn with even a 1% error rate on each step.

Brings to mind a time we were anchored in Port Townsend Bay while attending the Wooden Boat Festival. As evening came so did the wind, and all that night, while we held fast, other boats were breaking loose and quickly blowing past us, some being chased by rescue boats, one ending up on the rocks near the ferry terminal. It was not a nice night. Our guests, berth in the forepeak, experienced nothing but pounding and bouncing all night long. (They still cruise with us, though.) A friend who knew the area well wisely hauled anchor and made for Mystery Bay; We stayed put, not really knowing the area and trusting a firm anchor.

The next day, though feeling very confident having made a good anchoring, since the wind was still strong we decided to make for the safety and quiet of the Boat Basin harbor. Pretty full, but we got a commercial slip, and a comfortable night following. The next day as we left for Seattle, as we pulled out I heard a whip-snap sound but couldn't relate a cause, so on we went. The wind was now quiet, the sea almost glassy. So we cleaned up lines and fenders, and there it was, the female end of the shore power cord, still fastened to the boat, but no cord! I had forgotten to disconnect the electric cord at the dockside. An embarrassed radio call to the harbor master to say that there was a still live electric cord afloat in his slip (great for electrolysis), and then a mental self-flagilation for not using the checklist, the 'Leaving the Dock' list, that is.

So much for earlier confidence.

So, make use of your checklists, and get things right.

And if you read this in time, catch Dr. Gawande's appearances in Seattle this Sunday 7:30 and 9:30 PM at Town Hall; Monday 8 PM at the Sorrento Hotel; and Tuesday Noon at the Washington Athletic Club. Tickets through brownpapertickets.com.

Christmas 2009

The Huron Carol ('Twas In The Moon of Winter Time)

'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

This, Canada's oldest Christmas carol, was written by Jean de Brebeuf (ca. 1643), a Jesuit missionary to the Hurons. "Gitchi Manitou" is Algonquin for "God".

The carol is sung by Heather Dale, and sung in Wendat (Huron)

A Blessed Christmas to you all!

Mike

Santas & Sailors

Only nineteen days until Christmas!

Of course the merchants have been extolling all of us to start celebrating yesterday! Buy now! (and jump start the final fourth-quarter days). Seems to me that this push starts earlier each year. Soon we'll have Christmas sales starting right after Labor Day (did you just say that they already have?).

But to a deeper level. A singular character invoked at Christmas time has many, many names: Saint Nicholas; Santa Claus; Sinterklaas (also called Sint-Nicolaas or De Goedheiligman) Dutch; Saint Nicolas, French; Bishop of Myrna,

Right here in Seattle we have a constant reminder. Saint Nicholas Cathedral on Capital Hill, on 13th between East Howell and East Olive, is one of the oldest parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia in the United States, founded in 1932 by Russian immigrants who fled the Communism that invaded their homeland after the 1917 Russian Revolution.

But it is not just the young, and the young at heart, who celebrate St. Nicholas.

Sailors also claim St. Nicholas as their patron, carrying stories of his favor and protection far and wide, and St. Nicholas chapels were built in many seaports in the Mediterranean and beyond.

Nikolaos, is the patron saint of Greece, where his primary role is as the protector of sailors and seamen. At Christmas small fishing boats honor him, especially in the islands, with decorations of blue and white lights. Tradition has it that his clothes are soaked with brine, his beard always dripping with seawater, and his face covered with perspiration because he has been fighting storms to reach sinking ships and save men from drowning.

Greek ships carry an icon of St. Nicholas, as he is regarded as master of wind and tempest. Sailors light a candle before the icon, a small model of a ship, praying for safe passage. When a ship is in danger the captain prays making a solemn promise to bring a tamata, a model of a small ship of silver, gold, or carved of wood, if they make port safely. On return from such a voyage, the captain and sailors take the model (or painting), representing their ship, to church. In thanksgiving for their safety, they place it before a St. Nicholas icon. It is given as testimony to protection received, not as intercession for future aid

Revered as the great protector, St. Nicholas' feast is one of great devotion. The Greek Navy pays tribute to the patron saint of sailors with a special ceremony at the Hellenic Naval Academy.

Devotion to Saint Nicholas is also shown by the many small white chapels that dot the coastline. These chapels, dedicated to Satin Nicholas, have been built in gratitude to God for protection on the seas. As nearly every island family has members working in shipping, the navy, fishing or sponge diving, it is customary for folks passing one of these chapels to enter, light a candle, and pray for their friends' and relatives' protection from turbulent seas. Many families name a son "Nikolaos" in honor of the saint.

St. Nicholas, patron saint of sailors, is also part of Epiphany celebrations held by the sea. Priests bless ships anchored in harbor, in St. Nicholas' name, asking him to watch over each one, bringing it safely through storms and back to harbor. Ships then blow their whistles and church bells ring as a cross is thrown into the water. Sailors dive to see who can retrieve the cross.

So today, St. Nicholas' Day, December 6th, you sailors and mariners, remember our patron saint as you make plans to cruise the Salish Sea.

And perhaps coincidence, but tonight is also the Seafair & 76 Special People's Holiday Cruise when nearly 400 decorated boats will host approximately 4,000 developmentally disabled guests for a special cruise around Lake Union and Lake Washington, no doubt making St. Nicholas' heart glad.

Cut some slack for the commercial hype that permeates these days.

Let the young anticipate the joy of Santa Claus.

And for those of us who will celebrate nineteen days hence the birth of the Christ Child, let us one and all rejoice!

For a good telling of the legend of St. Nicholas, go to Customs of Advent and Christmas, as told by Victor Hoagland, C.P. (It's almost a 4th century economic recovery plan).

The icon is by Aristidh Milaqi "Saint Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Sailors" (Icon on wood, 2009)

Congratulations, Puget Sound Partnership!

From People For Puget Sound's excellent web site:

This week marks the one-year anniversary since the Puget Sound Partnership unveiled its road map for recovery of Puget Sound by the year 2020.

A year ago we greeted the Partnership's Action Agenda with the observation: "The main question now is the question that has been front and center throughout the whole process: Are we going to get the job done?"

A year ago, Partnership Executive Director spoke at REI and laid out the details of the Action Agenda.

This week, the Partnership listed its first year accomplishments:

"Today we celebrate the one year anniversary of the Puget Sound Action Agenda, and as we reflect back we are proud of the successes and accomplishments made in one of the hardest economic climates since the Great Depression.

Our recent successes:

• Guaranteed $50 million in federal funds for 2010, more than doubling the amount of federal money from the year prior. The money will be distributed to the U.S. EPA and other agencies for implementation of the Action Agenda.
• The U.S. EPA approved the Action Agenda as the new Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Puget Sound under the Federal Clean Water Act. This important approval helps direct federal funding to Puget Sound restoration, and is an important element in the Puget Sound Partnership’s role as a conduit for federal funds.

Protecting the best remaining places:
• We are leading the effort to establish Marine Protected Areas.
• With DNR, we are developing an aquatic habitat Conservation Plan to protect critical marine habitat.
• We are strengthening Shoreline Management Act statutes and regulations to require conditional use permits for all over-water structures.

Restore ecosystem function:
• Key oversight and coordination role for significant state and federal funding for salmon recovery, estuary and salmon habitat restoration. Examples include Nisqually Delta restoration, Elwha River floodplain, Fisher Slough marsh and others.

Stop pollution:
• War on stormwater. We are developing a comprehensive stormwater strategy.
• Leading the effort to develop and implement incentives and remove barriers to using Low Impact Development.

Engage the public:
• ECO Net established, with over 600 members and 500 organizations.
• Launched the “Puget Sound Starts Here” public awareness campaign.

Thank you Puget Sound for your continued support and involvement, and please share your Puget Sound success stories with the rest of our community. Let’s take a moment and celebrate everyone’s hard work to clean-up, restore and protect Puget Sound."

Reprinted with kind permission of Mike Sato, director of communications, People for Puget Sound.

Salish Sea: You're 'Official' Now!

The name Salish (pronounced SAY'-lish) Sea can now be used on maps (and, hopefully, charts) and other materials, the result of being officially adopted this past Thursday by the U.S. Board of Geographic Names. We posted on this blog on November 5th that Washington State, and earlier Canada, had approved the naming of this great body of waters from Olympia north to Canada's Desolation Sound.

Now we can watch NOAA run to update their charts.

The painting (above) by Joel Nakamaru, as reproduced on the Washington Sea Grant calendar, depicts the sea life from orca to oysters in our marine environment.

Remembrance Day 2009

This is an encore posting from last year's, updated, and now with a closing comment. Many of you commented via email following last year's posting, comments that were reflective, touching, moving, as you remembered the cost of war and your own experiences.

For me, November 11th will always be Remembrance Day. Ninety-one years ago the armistice to "end All Wars" was signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiegne, France, to take effect at eleven o'clock in the morning - "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month." Originally known as Armistice Day, it was changed to Veterans' Day here while renamed Remembrance Day in Canada and much of the rest of the British Commonwealth.

During the late '60s, while stationed in Ottawa, Canada, on every November 11th, and as the government's chief press officer (seconded from the Army) I was responsible for co-ordinating media coverage of the observances at the National War Memorial. Dignitaries of every stripe were there, led by the Queen's representative to Canada, the Governor General. Mounted at the cenotaph were four armed sentries and three sentinels – two flag sentinels and one nursing sister – posted at the foot of the cenotaph.

The first year I had this duty the Governor General was Major-General Georges Vanier, a tall, striking figure (he had an artificial leg), a World War I hero and one of Canada's few Victoria Cross recipients, and very much a soldier's soldier. (His son, Jean Vanier, is the founder of L'Arche)

Everywhere you'd see people wearing the red poppy, the symbol of the Day, remembering the fields of poppies that grew in Flanders, Belgium, where so many of the Allied dead are buried, and which inspired the poem, which even today is almost a national treasure in Canada, "In Flanders Field", by Lt.Col. John McCrae, Canadian Field Artillery.

What captured me was the military parade to the memorial. Led by contingents from the Royal Canadian Navy (being the senior service, of course), a Canadian Army regiment (often the Canadian Guards Regiment), the Royal Canadian Air Force, there followed the veterans - - First World War, Second World War, Korea. (Since then vets from Bosnia and Afghanistan no doubt take part.) But the group that moved and cheered the crowds most were the few Boer War vets - - a very few proudly marching, albeit some with canes and crutches, some in wheel chairs pushed by Boy Scouts, some in hospital beds, again with Boy Scouts. Headgear properly worn, medals polished, mustaches waxed.

Each year this contingent grew smaller, until the last year I was there only five Boer War vets made it. And we saluted them, and we cheered them, and we wept.

Whether you call it Armistice, Remembrance, or Veterans' Day, I still wear my red poppy on November 11th, remembering the fallen.

A closing comment.

Together with the US, and over a dozen other NATO countries which together comprise the UN-authorized International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Canada has maintained a strong commitment to the Afghanistan mission with over 23,000 having served there since 2001.Currently, 2,500 Canadians remained deployed in Kandahar province, which has been described by Afghan President Karzai as "the centre of gravity" for his country.This work has regrettably come at a high cost, however, with Canadian military personnel suffering casualty rates the highest in ISAF as a proportion of troops deployed. To date, Canadian fatalities number 135, many from the regiment I first joined in 1951, the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Alberta, four the sons of former mates I served with in the PPCLI.

The video is by Canadian singer-songwrite Terry Kelly.

The Salish Sea, Finally!

The term the Salish Sea was first proposed in 1988 by marine biologist Bert Webber, who recognized the need for a single geographic term that encompassed the entire ecosystem, spanning across the international border. Having a name to identify the entire area calls attention to the trans‐border commonality of water, air, wildlife and history. Rather than being a replacement for any of the existing names, the designation Salish Sea is an overlay which includes and unites the established and familiar names of the various water and land bodies (the Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, etc.). The name also pays tribute to the Coast Salish peoples who have inhabited the area since long before Euro‐American explorers first arrived.

On October 30th the Washington State Board on Geographic Names (the folk who decide what to call creeks, mountains and other natural features) named the inland waterways shared by Washington and British Columbia the Salish Sea. The British Columbia government approved the name six days earlier. Of course this still has to be OK’d by the US Board of Geographic Names to make it official and, as Mike Sato, communications director for People for Puget Sound writes, “the real official measure is its adoption into customary usage”.

Many of us have long favored the name Salish Sea, not only because it encompasses the waters that we cruise, not only that it sees all these waters as common body when we look at environmental and pollution issues, but because it simply makes sense to honor the indigenous peoples into whose lands and on whose waters we move.

But all this surfaces (no pun intended) an interesting conundrum: what exactly is Puget Sound? A popular description seems to encompass everything up to the Straits, and perhaps (with a bit of grandiosity) even including the waters up to Anacortes, if not the San Juan Islands, let alone as far north as Bellingham. Caleb Maki, executive secretary of the Washington State Board on Geographic Names, calls this the “Puget Sound Creep”, describing in an earlier email to me that Puget Sound keeps "getting larger and larger."

For the record, officially, Puget Sound starts at that body of salt water lying South of Admiralty Inlet/Possession Sound down to just above Olympia.

So, to now be really politically correct, what about all those titles that identify themselves using the descriptive Puget Sound? As People for Puget Sound’s Mike Sato opines in his blog, “renaming ‘People For the Salish Sea’, ‘Salish Sea Partnership’, ‘Salish Sea Business Journal’? Nah.”

Interesting.

Want to weigh in on this? Just post your comments and let's see where we end up.

Meanwhile, for me, here’s to the Salish Sea, at long last!

("The Salish Sea Map", cartographer Stefan Freelan, WWU, 2009")

Editor's note. Some readers have made comments on earlier blogs, but regretfully, in the editing process they were dropped. If you previously sent a comment but failed to see it, would you please resend? Thank you, and again, my apologies.