JULY 2026
ENVIRONMENT
Someone once said that Humans are the only animal that shits in their own nest. As the caretaker of Zebra Finches, I don’t agree; however, mankind seems rapidly scurrying toward self-extinction. A building’s firm foundation is essential for staying upright, as seen by the Leaning Tower of Pisa; nevertheless, we upright-walking species not of the ape-class, continue to destroy the basics of the food chain. No foundation, no humans. It isn’t rocket science.
Depending on which scientist you listen to, the oceans produce between 50% to 80% of the planet’s oxygen, much of it produced by photosynthesis of coral reefs. 25% of all marine life depends on healthy corals. The linkage is elementary school biology. Plankton and algae is the lowest rung of the food chain, and small fish and oceanic creatures eat it, and promptly get eaten by bigger fish who, in turn, get eaten by big aquatic beings. Coral provides food and hiding places and remains alive producing oxygen.
Dying coral, or “bleaching” was discovered in the early 20th century but mass bleaching occurred in 1995 and again in the period 2014-17. 90% of the coral reefs around Hawaii died, and within another 20-years as much as 90% of all coral will die, according to many experts.
The sea ecology is indescribably complex requiring a tight-rope balancing act of epic proportions. Whale’s poop from several hundred pounds to two tons each day! Incredibly, this comes in the form of very small buoyant particles that stream to the surface creating a tide of sun-energized oxygenated surface seawater being pushed downward while unoxidized water floods toward the surface in an essential existential roiling. No poop, no oxygenation, no life. This is one simple example of ecological cycles.
Hard corals come in two forms: polyps and single-celled plants called zooxanthellae. The latter use photosynthesis which produces the oxygen. Hard corals are fragile and die easily with a sea temperature change of a few degrees. The seas are warming because of excessive greenhouse gases. The problem is that hard corals can’t handle warm water stress, and they tend to be short lived. Replacing hard corals is great but it does not solve the problems. Old, slow growing corals are the healthiest and are more resistant to bleaching. Like old-growth trees, you just can’t replant and reap rewards in a score of years.
SMALL BOATS
If the Swiss Army Knife is useful for most tasks, then the MAVERICK is the small boat for just about all types of water activities. This versatile, low maintenance piece of plastic is narrow enough to use as a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP), wide enough to mount a mast and sail, and built for use as a wing surfer. What more can you ask for? It costs about $5,000.
The BIG C micro-cruiser, a 39” bobber with ballast that was built to carry Andrew Bedwell across the Atlantic, failed on this second attempt due to some unknown technical problem and stormy weather. Two days into the voyage, Bedwell pulled the emergency alarm indicating he was in trouble. The Canadian Coast Guard hurried to the point 75 miles northeast of New Foundland to rescue the intrepid sailor. Unfortunately, BIG C was abandoned at sea.
INLAND WATERWAYS
President Trump issued a waiver to the Jones Act that roused the ire of Democrats who claim that it undermines Trump’s own Maritime Action Plan which required ships sailing with American goods coply with U.S. Maritime law. Truth be told, this nation lacks U.S. flagged ships to handle various needs, especially defense cargo and supplies. This minor and insignificant uproar reflects common politics in Washington. What the GOP does, the Democrats immediately decry it as the end of life as we know it. What the Democrats do arouses immediate GOP paroxysms of existential fear and loathing.
Among the vessels that the President gave waiver to are:
ASP SUNSHINE (Panama) carrying jet fuel to Puerto Rico. HAFNIA VIOLETTE (Marshall Islands) hauling 239,538 barrels of oil from Texas to California. SFL SABINE (Marshall Islands) moving 309,444 barrels of crude oil. SEAWAYS RIO GRANDE (Marshall Islands) going from Texas to Pennsylvania with 848,936. 45 barrels of crude oil (don’t miss that .45 barrel of kerosene!). STI REGINA (Marshall Islands) headed to Puerto Rico from Texas with 296,401.86 barrels of kerosene type jet fuel. WECO SENNA (Marshall Islands) had 314,579.46 barrels of good, old fashioned Texas gasoline sailing to Puerto Rico. SCOTT NUERNBERG (Marshall Islands) wanted to move 45,068.15 barrels of high sulfur fuel from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. ATLANTIC MARBLE (surprisingly flagged by the Marshall Islands) hauled 208,975.27 barrels of motor fuel blending stock from Louisiana to Houston.
WOODEN BOAT SHOW- MYSTIC SEAPORT
First Mate, Marianne, and I attended the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, CT to drool over immaculately built small craft, ogle boat building, and learn the arts involved in such endeavors. The show was at Mystic Seaport which is a village straight out of am 1850 whaling village history book replete with the CHARLES MORGAN, a wooden whaler that you can wander around in to see what working on such a boat entailed. It was an excellent educational adventure.
I would be remiss if I did not put in a plug for some of the venders who provided me with friendliness and were willing to listen to my stories about being the World’s Worst Sailor. I urge you to check out these entities.
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