Do you ever wonder how Captain Jon knows what the weather on the bay is going to be while you are out sailing? He tunes into the marine radio on board and listens to what NOAA has to say.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and atmosphere. According to their website “From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product.” It was formed in 1970 by then President Richard Nixon for better protection of life and property from natural hazards from three existing agencies – the US Coast and Geodetic Survey (1807), the Weather Bureau (1870), and the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (1871).
With his experience, Captain Jon is able to listen to the NOAA forecast and interpret the best direction for the J&E Riggin to sail on any particular day and be able to look ahead for the length of a schooner cruise to have an idea of what our course might look like.
This link will take you to the written version of the radio broadcast that the Captain listens to every morning and evening.
This month’s “Where Have You Seen Me?” contest photo takes us away from Rockland and to a favorite destination. Do you recognize at what location this rock lies?
Guesses can be made in the comments section of the blog until May 4th. The winner will receive a hat from the Riggin Ship Store!
The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) is a group we are proud to be a part of. Founded in 1988, it is now the largest water trail association in North America and is a model for new trails across the country. MITA is a leader in balancing recreational access and conservation on the Maine coast. The water trail system is a 350-mile long waterway that consists of islands and mainland that are available for folks to visit. The waterway extends from Cape Porpoise Harbor to Machias Bay and includes several sites in coastal New Brunswick.
The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) encourages participation in programs such as Island Clean-ups and the Adopt-An-Island program as well as Leave No Trace. Through partnerships with the State of Maine, as well as land trusts and generous private property owners, MITA ensures access to visitors in kayaks, sailboats, motorboats and other watercraft.
For more information on the Maine Island Trail Association, to make a donation, or become a member, please visit their website.
Sea legs is a term used to describe the body’s adjustment to the motion of a ship; especially by ability to walk steadily and by freedom from seasickness. A person who has ‘not got his sea legs yet’ is one who is inexperienced at sea.
A berth or bunk both refer to a space allotted to a member of the crew or a passenger for sleeping.
A berth is also used to describe a sufficient distance for moving a ship to maintain safety, a place where a ship lies at anchor or at a wharf/dock, and as a billet on a ship.
Bunks typically refer to a built-in bed, often built up in a tier. On smaller vessels bunks can have sliding doors which close on the occupant to prevent him being tossed out in bad weather.
Luckily, on the Riggin your berth or bunk is in a cabin with only one or two other beds (three if you’re in the triple cabin) and the worry of being tossed out is non-existent.
As stewardship of the J&E Riggin we are proud our commitment to eco-tourism – providing eco-friendly and sustainable vacations to passengers. Part of our commitment is by practicing the Leave No Trace ethics. Leave No Trace (LNT) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation and to build awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural resources.
Ways we practice and support LNT:
- Hold our lobster bakes below the high tide line or at an already present fire pit or campsite.
- Bring our own wood to use and we always make sure our site is cleaner when we leave then we arrived.
- Encourage folks to tread lightly – meaning to photograph, sketch, and meditate on animals, wildflowers, rocks and seashells, but to leave them where they are – undisturbed.
- Compost on the islands we visit.
Doing these little things helps protect and conserved the beauty of the Coast of Maine and we are proud that we can do our part. For more information on Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics visit www.LNT.org.
February 28, 2012 – 1:25 pm
For today’s definition we look to Merriam-Webster. Hogwash actually has 2 meanings though in Sailor’s slang it’s the latter.
The first meaning is swill or slop while the second refers to nonsense or balderdash (something stupid, invalid or illogical.
From what I could find this meaning was first used in the 15th century in farm yards to describe the water that was tossed out after washing a hog or it referred to the swill fed to hogs which held no nutritional value.
Have you ever used the term hogwash?
February 23, 2012 – 1:25 pm
We’d forgotten about this video that was made 5+ years ago.
Sharing the Maine windjammer experience – the schooner, the bays, the islands, the lobster – with you is such a treat. Join us for a short 3 or 4 day cruise or a longer 6 day sail and experience this adventure first hand.
