Coast Guard fingers Conono Philips for Dalco Passage oil spill, but cause and penalty still unknown

      December 23, 2004: The US Coast Guard announced today a ship owned by Conono Philips, the Polar Texas, was responsible for the Dalco Passage oil spill that dumped an estimated 1,000-1,500 gallons of oil into Puget Sound on October 14th. By the time response equipment was deployed, oil had already begun washing up on the shores of Vashon-Maury Island. Twenty-one miles of shoreline were oiled.
      The Coast Guard has not yet announced the cause of the spill, or what enforcement action will be taken against Conono Philips. The company never reported the spill, and it was traced to the Polar Texas by a Coast Guard investigation. ConocoPhilips has denied responsibility and filed a petition in court to obtain the Coast Guard's information.
      "Until we know why this spill happened we won't know how to prevent spills like this in the future," said Kathy Fletcher, executive director of People For Puget Sound. "And unless penalties are increased on those who don't report their spills, deterrence and enforcement will continue to be weak."
      On Monday, the governor and the Coast Guard received a report on the Dalco spill from the task force they jointly appointed in November to assess what went wrong during the first 12 hours after an alert tug operator called in the spill. The recommendations focus entirely on spill response, calling for better equipment to track oil at night and during inclement conditions, increased citizen involvement in clean up, a study of the amount of boom and other response equipment needed, and an update of spill response plans.
      The task force's recommendations are a good step forward, but because the group was charged with reviewing only response, the one area where we really need substantially increased investment and oversight Ð prevention- was unfortunately not addressed. We are looking to the legislature to substantially increase the state's focus and vigilance on preventing oil spills.

Naki Stevens
Director of Programs
People For Puget Sound

      We want to thank Naki Stevens, "People for Puget Sound", for keeping us updated on the situation surrounding the oil spill and their efforts in working to prevent another such dangerous environmental threat. We were lucky this time. It's not a news story we want to go away just because the wheels are turning so slowly regarding litigation against Conoco Philips, as well as the government's subsequent actions to increase the sanctity of Puget Sound.

Your book makes a small boy happy

To Jo Bailey and Carl Nyberg:
      My wife and I spent time last summer with our boat in the islands and related this story in our Christmas letter and thought it might be nice to also forward it on to you folks.
      We had left our mooring on Prevost Harbor. It was about 5:30 and others were still asleep at the dock so we tried not to break the peaceful silence that others enjoyed. We like to travel early in the day and were headed for Blakely Island to spend one last night before pulling the boat and heading home. About ten minutes out we saw off in the distance a small runabout with someone standing up waving their arms. We motored over and found a father in his mid thirties with a young son, not quite ten , sitting pole in hand with hook still baited. The lad while not panicked did have a wide eyed and concerned look on his face which was to stay there for about the next half hour. When we asked what the problem was the father asked if we could tell him where Orcas Island was. We pointed east and said it was over there but that another small island also was between us and Orcas. It seems that they had gone out fishing and hadn't paid much attention to where they had set out from and were without radio, compass, or charts. I asked where they had put out from and dad only knew it was from a spot on the west side of the island. They were still under power so we said we'd be happy to lead them back to their dock and motor along so they could keep up.
      After we past the lower end of Waldron we headed in to Orcas and motored up to Lover's Cove and when in site of the beach asked if this was the spot they'd put out from? Dad replied "No, maybe we were on San Juan Island". This concerned me that he was now not exactly sure of which island he'd left from let alone what harbor. At this point my wife asked "What about the Gunkholing book, maybe it has some pictures?". "I said "Great idea go and grab it."
      With book in hand we found the Orcas Island section and asked if the photo on page 102 of West Beach Resort looked like the spot. He thought it did so we said it was just up the line a ways farther and he thanked us for the help and didn't want to keep us any longer. We said we weren't leaving them till they were back at their own dock where they had rented the boat in the first place and so again we were underway. As we motored up to West Beach the dad came along side and said this was the spot and could he get our address as he wish to send us something to help say thank you for all the trouble he'd put us through. We told him that wasn't necessary as this was just what boaters were supposed to do.
      Besides, our thanks came from the now broad grin that was spread from ear to ear on a small boy's face. We wished them well and hoped that the rest of their trip would bring a bit more enjoyment and we headed on for our next adventure. Gunkholing is a wonderful book while cruising whether it's on your boat or just someone who is passing by.
      A small boy is glad you took the time to write it, and so are we. Thanks for helping us to help when we were needed.

Tim & Judy Lindsey
on the Lynn Marie

      To not know where you are is bad, but to not even know what island you came from, not to mention the harbor, wellÉ the lad was right to have a concerned look on his face. I know, the San Juans are a summer paradise and it's easy to just hop in a boat to go fishing, but it's easy to get turned around if you're not familiar with the islands, not to mention tides, changing weather, etc. Hope it turned out to be a good boating lesson for the boy and his dad. It truly is amazing how many people are buzzing around Puget Sound and the Straits without knowing where they are. All of us have a story about someone zipping up and asking, "Which way to Port Townsend," or Bellingham, or Seattle. Navigation isn't really that hard if you just pay a little attention. A chart doesn't hurt either. But I'm missing a major point. Another boater was having a problem and you helped him out because it was "just what boaters were supposed to do." Sometimes we forget that.

Lyin' it on thick -- Works for us

Re: Rendezvous Info in mag.
      Thanks a lot, we really appreciate the help. Got a lot of people pounding the docks for Ranger owners, but I know we won't be able to contact all owners. I know this will help a lot.
      We look forward to 48¡ North every month. The biggest problem is my friends always want my copy, right after I pick it up and I haven't read it all yet.
      Your gang does a great job every month. I look forward to the letters and Lowtide section. Richard's editorials are a must as he knows the pulse of the Northwest sailors and their needs. We never miss the Race Report, as well as all the articles and contributions.
      Keep up the good work. We really appreciate you over here in West Sound.

Sail on,
Dick Pratt
Papoose
Kingston, WA

      Man, do you know how to butter the bread. No worries, the notice will be in the mag, probably starting in April or May as the event isn't until August (Aug. 9-12 starting at Lopez Island, any questions or suggestions on activities please contact Dick Pratt at 360-297-3858 or sailon@SAFe-mail.net or join the Ranger Rendezvous discussion at ranger@list.sailnet.net).
      Thanks for the nice words, we really appreciate it.

Scammers Targeting Classifieds

I have a classified ad to sell my boat (Pg. 116 1972 Hallberg Rassey 35 slop) I also paid to put the ad on your web site. Today I received email which attempted to scam me, with a money order and me to send balance to a shipper. This is obviously a scam that I think you should be aware of.
      I reported this to the Skagit Co. Sheriff. They took a report, but informed me nothing can be done as originator is out of country.
      In the next few days, I will write a letter to your editor that I think should appear in your letters. Perhaps you should also admonish your readers to be aware of this.
      I will write my letter ASAP, but I am not sure it will be in your hands before your deadline, but will try.

Regards,
James Johnson
PRINCESS DEL MAR

      Yes, it's frustrating. That's why we have a Fraud Alert at (page 111 of the January mag) the beginning of classifieds warning people to be aware of these scams. There isn't much else we can do. Any email that is anywhere on the web is subject to spams and scams. We've even had people go through the mag and call our classified people with various scams. We've talked with other magazines that have also had that happen, as well as newspapers. We're far from being alone. Not much else we can do but put in a warning. Evidently we're being targeted right now as we've received calls from other classified advertisers getting the same scam. Only thing you can do is not reply. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
      Believe me, we're even more frustrated than you are. They seem to come in waves, so this should end soon if it hasn't already. That will make us happy but, unfortunately, it just means they've moved on to someone else's business.

Mini-12 Info?

      Could you please help me find out info on the Mini 12 Meter class sailboats. Are they still sold in the US - if so by who - is there a class association?? Any help would be appreciated.

Dennis Frakes

      In our area the Seattle and Royal Victoria Yacht Clubs have fleets of Mini 12s but you have to be a member to race. There used to be a couple versions, the Illusion and the Millimetre but at present we only know of one builder; John Booth (Booth Enterprises on Vancouver Island) 250.386.9622.

Further Adventures of NOLHI

      My dad, Mike Hirko, is the owner of NOLHI and an avid reader of your magazine. He forwarded to me your printing of the comments regarding his lost boat last month. I live in Michigan, so little I could do Ñ but definitely was concerned for a while about what happened.
      Well, Dad had a pretty good trip of his own last summer from Gig Harbor to Ketchikan, Alaska... he sent me his photos and log. I put together a website for him, at which you can read his encounters and ordeals (including a mishap with his auto pilot near Prince Rupert -- which took FedEx a week to send a replacement). Anyhow, thought you might print the website in your next edition for your readers to check out as well as post the link on your website.

http://www.enlightenedspartan.com/gigharbor-alaska-2004

Thanks!
Scott Hirko
East Lansing, MI 48823

ps - we need to break the ice in the harbors out here before we get our boats into the lakes!!!

Lake Sammamish Yacht Club Now Forming

      The LSYC is currently in formation and accepting applications for charter memberships.The club is open to any local boaters wishing to participate in occasional social events such as opening day cruises, 4th of July raft-ups, etc. or anyone who just wants to say they belong to a yacht club! We are forming the club purely as a social club. LSYC has no clubhouse, no meetings, no reciprocities yet, no outstations and none of the costs associated with more established yacht clubs.
      Charter membership is only $100 per family and includes your choice of a LSYC sweatshirt, polo shirt or LSYC burgee, membership certificate/card and access to the web site. We also have other nautical items available such as LSYC beer cozies, floating key chains and polo shirts embossed with our logo.These items are available for viewing at www.sammamishyacht.com

Edward A. Bondy
Vice Commodore
Lake Sammamish Yacht Club

No clubhouse, no meetings, no reciprocities yet, but sweatshirts and beer cozies are availableÉ Good to see you've got your priorities in order.

Re: A Prayer for Safe Docking

      I am the co-owner of a C&C sailboat and it is usually my job to take the helm as we enter a moorage as my husband and crew ready lines and fenders.
      Most B.C. marinas, who now stand by on 66, give crisp, efficient docking details, i.e. slip number, port side or starboard side landing, bow or stern in, which helps immensely. It's also good to have the book "Docks and Destinations" by Peter Vassillopoulos, which pictures marinas and their layouts.
      If it is an unknown marina or even a club outstation, take time to check it out, even if it means a few back and forth maneuvers so that you can decide which side to position fenders and lines. Never rush.
      The biggest omission in John Vigor's slightly "tongue-in-cheek" article is the benefit of having a midship line ready. When bringing the vessel into the dock, either throw the midship line to a bystander to make off quickly or a crew member can step off and make the midship line secure. This way the vessel is stopped, doesn't swing violently bow out or stern out as most do when unthinking dockside help grab lines thrown from bow or stern to make secure.
      I'm not saying there is never a poor docking but if a skipper takes his/her time to ensure which slip, checks wind direction and currents, has the crew alerted as to where to position fenders and lines and has the midship line ready, 85% of the problem is solved.

Janet Stamper
C&C 34 Excalibur III
Vancouver, B.C.

      Yes, a midship or spring line is great for stopping the forward progress of the boat. It's basically the only one we use when short handed - stop the boat, then deal with the bow and stern lines. I would say that, if everyone followed the things you list in your last paragraph it would solve a lot more than 85% of the problems. Basically it's being prepared and paying attention. As for Vigor's tongue, yes, it is firmly planted in his cheek, which is why you never see a picture of him with his articles.