Blog 2023

Marine surveys conducted in July can vary depending on the specific objectives and locations. These surveys are typically aimed at studying various aspects of marine ecosystems, including biodiversity, population dynamics, habitat assessment, and environmental monitoring. Some examples of marine surveys that might be conducted in July include:

1. Biodiversity Surveys: These surveys focus on identifying and documenting the different species present in a particular marine area. They may involve techniques such as underwater visual surveys, DNA analysis, and sampling methods like trawling or netting.

2. Fish Population Surveys: These surveys assess the abundance, distribution, and health of fish populations in a specific region. Researchers may use techniques like fish tagging, underwater acoustic surveys, or fishery-independent sampling to gather data on fish populations' size, growth rates, and reproductive patterns.

1. Coral Reef Surveys: July is a common time for surveys of coral reefs, as it is often associated with good weather conditions and optimal water temperatures. These surveys may involve monitoring coral health, assessing bleaching events, and documenting the presence of coral-associated species.

2. Oceanographic Surveys: Oceanographic surveys focus on studying physical and chemical properties of the ocean, such as temperature, salinity, nutrient levels, and water circulation patterns. These surveys often involve deploying scientific instruments like CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth) probes, buoys, or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to collect data.

3. Marine Mammal Surveys: Researchers may conduct surveys to study the distribution, behavior, and population status of marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals. These surveys might involve aerial or vessel-based observations, passive acoustic monitoring, or satellite tracking.

It's important to note that the specific surveys conducted in July can vary based on regional factors, ongoing research projects, and the scientific goals of the researchers.

Flag Day is a day of significance and we celebrate it on June 14

Here are some aspects that highlight the significance of Flag Day:

1. Flags symbolize the identity and unity of a nation. Flag Day serves as a reminder of the values, history, and cultural heritage that we hold dear. It is an occasion for citizens to express their patriotism and pride in their nation.

1. Historical Significance: Flag Day often commemorates a specific event or milestone related to the adoption of a country's flag. It can mark the anniversary of the flag's design or the day it was officially recognized as a national symbol. Such occasions provide an opportunity to reflect on the country's history and the significance of its flag as a symbol of sovereignty and independence.

1. Symbol of Freedom and Sacrifice: Flags often represent the struggles, sacrifices, and achievements of a nation. They embody the ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice that people have fought for throughout history. Flag Day is a time to honor and remember the individuals who have served and made sacrifices for their country.

2. Education and Awareness: Flag Day promotes education about the significance and proper etiquette associated with the national flag. It encourages citizens, particularly the younger generation, to learn about their country's symbols, history, and values. This helps foster a sense of civic responsibility and appreciation for one's country.

3. Unity and Celebrations: Flag Day often involves public celebrations, parades, and events where people come together to celebrate their shared national identity. These celebrations foster a sense of community and unity, bringing people from different backgrounds together under the banner of the national flag.

4. Respect and Patriotism: Flag Day serves as a reminder to treat the national flag with respect and dignity. It emphasizes the importance of properly displaying and caring for the flag, as well as observing proper flag etiquette. This helps instill a sense of patriotism and respect for national symbols.

It's important to note that the specific significance of Flag Day can vary between countries.

A good marine sealant for bedding deck fittings must be waterproof, of course, but it must also be flexible, UV resistant, and, ideally, chemical resistant (fuel, bleach, and other solvents do find their way on deck occasionally). It should not be so strong that the deck hardware can't be removed if necessary, or so tenacious that it leaves a residue that prevents other sealants from adhering. From an aesthetic perspective, it should resist dirt and not age in an unsightly way.

The table below summarizes how the various adhesives line up against these criteria. Strength is measured in psi. Flexibility is measured by elongation, or the amount the material can be stretched, as a percentage of its original length, before it ruptures. When bonding two different materials together, and then subjecting the bond to movement, elongation allows the seal between the two materials to stretch to accommodate the differences in flexibility. A good sealant for bedding deck fittings has relatively low tensile strength and relatively high elongation.

The high tensile strength of the medium- and high-strength polyurethanes makes them excellent adhesive sealants, but less than ideal for anything that might ever need to be dismantled. In addition, the polyurethanes will soften when exposed to fuels, solvents, and particularly acids, so they're not the best choice for use on the deck. At first glance, silicone seems a better compromise, with lower tensile strength than the medium- and high-strength polyurethanes, but similar elongation and better chemical resistance. Unfortunately, the adhesion of general-purpose silicone sealants is often fleeting; you won't have to look far in any marina to see silicone "worms" dangling from port-light frames. Worse, silicone leaves behind an all but permanent coating to which no sealant, including fresh silicone, will adhere. Contamination from some earlier silicone sealant application is often the undiagnosed cause of premature bedding failures. But silicone cannot be avoided altogether as it is one of the few sealants compatible with all plastics.

The remaining sealants all have relatively low tensile strength and high elongation, and any of them can be used for bedding deck fittings. The low-strength polyurethanes have less holding power than their more muscular siblings, but share their susceptibility to chemical attack and incompatibility with plastic (except Sikaflex 295 when used with a primer).

Butyl tape is an old solution that's becoming popular once again, and it has a lot to recommend it  It can be used to bed all types of plastics, unlike polysulfide, which attacks plastic, and polyurethane (with the exception of Sikaflex 295), which loses its grip due to plastic outgassing. More about Butyl tape on Thursday. 

Rules of the Road

Rules of the road are the accepted system of right of way, which you must follow to be courteous and safety-minded. These rules are numerous and detailed but if you learn just a few, you should be covered in most recreational boating situations. In the following, the “stand-on vessel” has the right of way, and the “give-way vessel” needs to accommodate the other.

1. In a situation with two boats coming head on, if possible, both vessels turn to starboard and pass port to port. That way, there’s no guesswork about the intentions of the other captain and a collision is avoided.
2. A sailboat under sail has the right-of-way over a powerboat. If the sailboat is running with an engine, it’s considered a powerboat regardless if the sails are up.
3. If you’re being overtaken, your responsibility is to maintain course and speed. If that scenario puts anyone in harm’s way, just slow down and let the other pass because the first job of any captain is to avoid a collision regardless of who has the right-of-way.
4. If a vessel approaches you from the right, they’re the stand-on vessel.
5. Human powered vessels (kayaks, SUPs, canoes, etc.) have the right-of-way over any other vessel including a sailboat.
6. If another vessel is restricted in its ability to maneuver (due to its size, draft or any other reason) it’s the stand-on vessel and you should accommodate it.
7. When two boats are under sail, the one on the starboard tack (wind coming over the starboard side of the deck) has the right of way over the one on the port tack. If both are on the same tack, the leeward (downwind) boat has the right of way.