Saturday, March 14, 2015

Sailing Tampa Bay with the Leone's, Sean and Mattie. Then Added the Lewis' for Lunch

Some boat sailing by us.

Rose Leone at the helm

Rose still at the helm.


Jen, Sean and Mark. I wanted Sean to stay in the car, but they were afraid I would get reported for leaving a Martinson in the car unattended with the windows rolled up. Being the kind guy I am, we kept him hydrated with Coronas. 

Mark in charge.  
Lunchtime panorama.

Morphed pic of Rose ad Mark. 

After a couple cool ones, the Lewis' clan head out. Ozzie was making sure there were no icebergs.

Saturday started out with little wind and I was hoping we weren't going to have to drop the iron genny, but the winds picked up to about 18 and we had a great ride. 3SUM sailed great with no major problems except me bringing her in and wanting to show Mark what the dock looked like quickly and up close. No major damage. I need a new system for bringing her in. We have 4 foot finger piers and with a strong wind on the starboard stern and nothing to really keep her from moving about, it is quite difficult to get her in. 

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Coast Guard halts Everglades Challenge >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News





Coast Guard halts Everglades Challenge >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

Coast Guard halts Everglades Challenge

The Water Tribe Everglades Challenge, an unsupported, expedition style adventure race for kayaks, canoes, and small boats, started Saturday (Mar 7) in Tampa Bay, Florida, with approximately 135 boats of various sizes and more than 240 people taking on the 300 nm course to Key Largo, Florida.
They didn’t get that far.
After the Coast Guard saved 12 people from the water near Englewood, Florida on Saturday, the event was terminated by the Coast Guard due to numerous cases of people capsizings, people with various stages of hyperthermia, and the weather on scene deteriorating with 4-foot seas and 20-knot winds.
“Our number one concern is safety of life at sea,” said Chief Petty Officer Rob Davis, a search and rescue coordinator at the sector. “With the weather deteriorating quickly, no manifest provided to the Coast Guard and unknown safety spotters on scene, we will unfortunately have to terminate the event.”
The Coast Guard terminated the event at the first check point at Cape Haze Marina in Englewood, just over 60 miles from the start in Fort Desoto Park located on Mullet Key in Tampa Bay.
“We always want people to have fun on the water, we just want them to be safe doing it,” said Chief Warrant Officer Rob Swanson, a search and rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “We can’t stress enough how important it is to always be safe out there. The sea is unforgiving.”
The annually held event, which must be completed within eight days, requires entrants to carry all equipment and supplies needed to complete the course in which they are allowed no safety boats or support of any kind.
- See more at: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2015/03/07/coast-guard-halts-everglades-challenge/#prettyPhoto

Coast Guard saves 12 people in rough water during regatta



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Coast Guard saves 12 people in rough water during regatta



ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Coast Guard pulled 12 people from rough water before organizers called off the Water Tribe Everglades Challenge small-craft regatta on Saturday.
According to the Coast Guard, 135 boats with more than 240 people were participating in the regatta which started in Tampa Bay and was scheduled to end in Key Largo.
The event was called off at a check point at the Cape Haze Marina in Englewood after numerous boats capsized.
The Coast Guard said late Saturday that all participants had made it safely out of the water.