The
Beacon 
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15 April 2006
Volume 5, Issue 2
P.O. Box 211, Glen Cove, NY 11542
www.GlenCoveYachtClub.org
Glen Cove Yacht Club Home Page
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The
Beacon
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15 April 2006 |
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Volume 5, Issue 2 |
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P.O. Box 211, Glen Cove, NY 11542 |
www.GlenCoveYachtClub.org |
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Members will note that our Club Treasurer, Tom Hempton, can now send receipts for payment of Club dues via e-mail. The receipts are attached to an e-mail message as a "pdf" file, which can then be printed. The e-mails originate from the Club mailbox "info@glencoveyachtclub.org", and are not to be confused with spam using a "spoofed" e-mail address. Further inquiries should be directed to Tom.
If anyone has a ladder or section of an extension ladder that they planned on discarding, the Glen Cove Yacht Club could use a ladder to gain access to the beach for working on the floats. Don't throw out that serviceable ladder before checking with us. Any 10' or more section of ladder will be useful. Contact me if you have a suitable ladder to donate. ~ Dave Nieri, Fleet Captain
Book Review The Coming Meltdown - By New York Review of Books, Jan. 12, 2006 The year 2005 has been the hottest year on record for the planet, hotter than 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2003. More importantly, perhaps, this has been the autumn when the planet has shown more clearly than before just what that extra heat means. Consider just a few of the findings published in the major scientific journals during the last three months: Arctic sea ice is melting fast. There was 20 percent less of it than normal this summer, and as Dr. Mark Serreze, one of the researchers from Colorado's National Snow and Ice Data Center, told reporters, "the feeling is we are reaching a tipping point or threshold beyond which sea ice will not recover." That is particularly bad news because it creates a potent feedback effect: instead of blinding white ice that bounces sunlight back into space, there is now open blue water that soaks up the sun's heat, amplifying the melting process. In the tundra of Siberia, other researchers report that permafrost has begun to melt rapidly, and, as it does, formerly frozen methane-which, like the more prevalent carbon dioxide, acts as a heat-trapping "greenhouse gas"-is escaping into the atmosphere. In some places last winter, the methane bubbled up so steadily that puddles of standing water couldn't freeze even in the depths of the Russian winter. |
British researchers, examining almost six thousand soil borings across the UK, found another feedback effect. Warmer temperatures (growing seasons now last eleven days longer at that latitude) meant that microbial activity had increased dramatically in the soil. This, in turn, meant that much of the carbon long stored in the soil was now being released into the atmosphere. The quantities were large enough to negate all the work that Britain had done to switch away from coal to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. "All the consequences of global warming will occur more rapidly," said Guy Kirk, chief scientist on the study. "That's the scary thing. The amount of time we have got to do something about it is smaller than we thought." Such findings-and there are more like them in virtually every issue of Science and Nature-came against the backdrop of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the now record-breaking Atlantic storm season that has brought us back around the alphabet and as far as Hurricane Epsilon. Because hurricanes draw their power from the warm water in the upper layers of the sea's surface, this bout of storminess served as a kind of exclamation point to a mid-August paper by the MIT researcher Kerry Emmanuel demonstrating that such storms have become more powerful and long-lasting, and would likely continue to increase in destructiveness in the future.
Ship's Store Jim Dahl has ordered a number of new items to the inventory of the Glen Cove Yacht Club's Ship's Store. Fleece Pullovers ($30), Windshirts ($45), Wind Vests ($25), Boat Bags ($25), Burgees ($20), Hats ($20), Polo Shirts ($20) and Tee-shirts ($12). Log on to the Club's website to view photos and contact Jim Dahl at 516 676-6097 or jjdphd@aol.com. As the late Alan King said in a movie with the same title, JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT! Our ladies members have been asking for a zip fleece jacket - here it is and on sale. Tell me what size and I will order it. No takers, no orders. Club Treasurer is going to kill me if I accumulate any more merchandise without pre orders to sell the stuff. Your cost is $40. Send me e-mail or call Jim Dahl. The windproof, water-resistant, microfiber shell of this handsome jacket is finished with a soft suede feel and silky look. Plush fleece lines the body for lightweight and comfy insulation. The chenille collar zips all the way up your neck and the elasticized cuffs have adjustable two-snap buttons to help retain body warmth. This cool weather friend features an inner cell phone pocket with Velcro tab closure, an inner right chest pocket, two roomy front pockets, and an elasticized waistband. Smooth 100% nylon taffeta lines the sleeves and the sturdy antiqued brass zipper adds an attractive touch.
As a result of the change to Rule 33(a) of the COLREGS, and the impact of Rule 1(b)(ii) of the Inland Rules, the Coast Guard (the governing body of the Inland Rules) has decided that a vessel less than 20 meters in length is no longer required to carry a bell on board, and no enforcement action will be taken against a vessel less than 20 meters in length for requirements relating to the carriage of a bell. The reason Rule 33 (a) of the Inland Rules has not been changed to reflect this position is due to the fact the Inland Rules are written into law (United States Code) and not regulation (Code of Federal Regulations), thereby a change requires an action by the Congress of the United States and not a simple regulatory change. The bottom-line, a bell is no longer required on a vessel less than 20 meters in length. That of course means a bell is not required for those same vessels for successful completion of a VSC." |
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Are you planning to cruise your way out east this season? Thinking about what to do with the current through the Race? Wondering where to hide if things get dicey along the way? Since 1977 Bonnie and I have made the trip down and out of the Sound numerous times. During all those journeys we learned, mostly the hard way, how to safely and quickly navigate our way through. On Wednesday, 24 May at 7 PM, at the Club, we will be conducting a seminar to pass on some of our hard earned lessons. Hopefully our experiences can help you have an enjoyable cruise. On the second weekend in June, Bonnie and I will be heading east to Mystic Seaport for the Sea Music Festival. Join us at the Club whether you are planning a trip later in the season or plan to come on the journey to Mystic. See you there. ~ Jim Cleary
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A red sector light is often referred to as a "light house's danger signal". The Cold Spring Harbor light is primarily for keeping commercial vessels with deep drafts in safe water, but all mariners should understand the function of the light and where they are in relation to it as they enter or leave the harbor. The Cold Spring Harbor sector light keeps you off the foul waters surrounding Center Island Reef and some shallow spots on Center Island's east shore. After rounding the light back over your shoulder to towards it can help guide you past Plum Point and into Oysters Bay. The reverse is true when leaving Oyster Bay. You should look up navigational aides in the "Lights List". The description shown below shows a couple of things not shown on the chart such as the exact demarcation line between the white and red sectors and the area of its coverage shown in degrees. Also note that the visibility range of the two lights is different. What.... You have not downloaded this year Lights List from the Coast Guards Nav Center online. That's OK you still have a little time yet. 26870 (This is the U.S. Light Number) An important place to research the various types of sectored lights is in Chart No 1 available online from the Office Of Coast Survey (see our Clubs Web Site Links) in the chapter on Lights. The light in Cold Spring Harbor is the simplest variation of a sectored light and a good place to become familiar with them.
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