THE CODFATHER – Tom Osmers, Vineyard Fisherman and Advocate
Tom Osmers, known affectionately across Martha’s Vineyard as “The Codfather,” was a respected fisherman, thinker and outspoken advocate for small-boat sustainable fishing. He championed less industrialized approaches and encouraged fishermen to work cooperatively and responsibly with the island’s marine resources. Osmers was also a familiar voice on the community radio program “The Fish and Farm Report,” where he shared practical knowledge and local perspectives. He passed away in March at the age of 57. A memorial service will be held this summer; the date will be announced.
Morris Yachts Plans Open House and Annual Boat Show
Morris Yachts will host a service open house on May 19 at its Bass Harbor, Maine yard, offering the public a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s operations. The event will highlight recent complete refits and demonstrate the process of removing and replacing wet core materials—an important maintenance procedure for wooden and composite hulls.
In addition, Morris Yachts will present its sixth annual Morris Boat Show July 16–18 at the service yard in Northeast Harbor, Maine. Open to the public, the show will display dozens of Morris yachts dockside and under cover, offering visitors a chance to tour vessels and meet builders and craftsmen. For more information, visit www.morrisyachts.com.
Sailing Made Simple: New Beginner Handbook from ASA
For aspiring sailors unsure where to begin, the American Sailing Association’s “Sailing Made Easy” handbook ($24.95, American Sailing Association, 2010) distills practical instruction from eight experienced sailors into a compact, user-friendly guide. The book explains boat controls, basic seamanship, navigation and planning a day sail, using clear diagrams, color photographs and step-by-step illustrations.
The softcover manual is thin and portable, with plastic-coated pages to resist moisture for use aboard. Co-edited by America’s Cup navigator Peter Isler and veteran instructor Jeremy McGreary, it also serves as the official textbook for ASA 101, the organization’s foundational keelboat course. For purchase information, see www.http://asastore.us/
– Elizabeth Ellis
Chris-Craft Commander Club to Hold Rendezvous in Huron, Ohio
The Chris-Craft Commander Club has selected Huron, Ohio, on Lake Erie as the location for its next official rendezvous. Huron’s maritime heritage and concentration of vintage Chris‑Craft Commanders make it an ideal gathering spot. While the event will focus on the Commander line, owners of other classic Chris‑Craft models—such as Roamer and Constellation—or owners of other vintage vessels are welcome to attend.
Registration details and event information will be posted at www.commanderclub.com.
New Sentinel-Class Cutter Named for Rescue Hero Bernard C. Webber
The Coast Guard announced that the first Sentinel-class cutter will be named Bernard C. Webber, honoring the enlisted hero of the 1952 S.S. Pendleton rescue. This 153-foot patrol cutter is the first in a class that will be named exclusively for enlisted members who demonstrated exceptional heroism in the line of duty, following approval by Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen.
On Feb. 18, 1952, Bernard Webber and three crewmen from the Chatham, Mass., Life Boat Station launched into 60-foot seas aboard the Motor Life Boat CG36500 to rescue survivors from the Pendleton, which had broken in two off Cape Cod. Their mission saved 32 of the ship’s 33 crewmembers; the rescuers were later awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal.
The Sentinel-class contract could include up to 34 cutters with a potential value as high as $1.5 billion if all options are exercised; the Coast Guard plans a program of up to 58 vessels in the class.
In related news, Peter Kennedy of the Orleans Historical Society received the Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award for his leadership in restoring the historic Motor Life Boat CG36500 used in the Pendleton rescue.
More on the rescue and the restoration can be found by searching archives for keyword: CG36500.
“Boat. Fish. Live.” Theme Set for National Marina Day
National Marina Day will take place June 12 under the banner “Boat. Fish. Live.” Marinas nationwide will host events offering free demonstrations, boat test drives, fishing clinics and family activities designed to introduce the public to boating and marina services.
Participating marinas include Anchorage Marina in Baltimore; Aqualand Marina at Lake Lanier, Ga.; Bill Bird Marina at Haulover Park, Miami; Callville Bay Resort & Marina on Lake Mead, Nev.; Colony Marine at Algonac Harbor Club, Mich.; Grande Dunes Resort & Marina in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Marina Bay at Boston Harbor in North Quincy, Mass.; New Rochelle Municipal Marina, N.Y.; and Scotts Landing in Grapevine, Texas. For more details, visit www.nationalmarinaday.org.
Coast Guard Issues VHF DSC Safety Alert
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a safety alert noting that certain VHF radios equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) will automatically switch from a working channel to Channel 16 when they receive a DSC distress alert, an acknowledgment or other DSC calls that specify a channel number. This automatic channel change could create a navigational safety risk if the radio was being used to maintain a listening watch or to communicate on a bridge-to-bridge or vessel traffic services channel.
Manufacturers whose DSC-equipped VHF models may be affected include, but are not limited to: BH T&A Company, Icom, Lowrance, Midland, Northstar, Pony Electric Corporation, Raytheon Anschuetz High Seas Products, Raymarine, Sea Inc. of Delaware, Samyung ENC, Simrad, Skanti G/S, SP Radio A/S, Standard Horizon, Tekcom Industries, Uniden America and Vertex Standard Company. Updated guidance will be posted at the Coast Guard Navigation Center’s DSC information page.
Hinckley Pilot Owners to Gather in Casco Bay
The Hinckley Pilot Association will convene on July 31 in the Casco Bay region of Maine, with this year’s rendezvous centered on Bustin Island near South Freeport. The event includes local cruising and concludes with a traditional Maine lobster bake. Many Pilot owners also participate in the preceding “Lobster Run” race from Stonington, Conn., to Boothbay Harbor, and the group competes in the annual Chowder Cup Race in Friendship, Maine, on Aug. 7.
Contact Buzz Billik for more information at [email protected].
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Awards Scholarship
Cadet First Class Nicholas M. Hartt of Methuen received the Capt. James S. Jackson Jr. Scholarship at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The award funds attendance in the Coast Guard–approved 100 Ton Master License Program offered by the academy’s Center for Maritime Training. Hartt, a senior regimental officer majoring in International Maritime Business, also works with Entertainment Cruises in Boston.
Program information is available at www.maritime.edu/100ton.
Pearson Integrates Electric Propulsion on New Alerion 33
Pearson Composites will offer a 7.5 kW electric drive option for its new Alerion 33 sailboat. The fully electric propulsion package integrates with Mastervolt charging systems, lithium‑ion batteries and the MasterBus CANbus network to provide a complete, environmentally conscious propulsion and power-management solution.
Mastervolt’s acquisition of Dutch electric-drive specialist Bellmann expanded the available marine electric-drive technologies, offering drives from 1 kW to 20 kW with matched shafts, propellers and controls. Pearson says the integrated system reinforces its commitment to greener boating and boatbuilding practices.
Steven Weiss Opens Yacht Design Studio in Maine
Naval architect Steven Weiss has launched Steven Weiss Yacht Design LLC in Trenton, Maine, offering yacht design, marine engineering and illustration services to private owners, builders and yards. Weiss brings more than 25 years of experience in design and construction, with past roles at The Hinckley Company and Morris Yachts, plus experience as a delivery skipper and sailing coach.
Details are available at www.weissyachtdesign.com.
AquaPalooza Headlines Brad Paisley on Lake Travis
Country star Brad Paisley will headline the AquaPalooza 2010 signature event on July 10 at The Reserve at Lake Travis near Austin, Texas, hosted by Sea Ray Boats and the local dealer Sail & Ski Center. Thousands of concertgoers are expected to enjoy the performance from boats, floats and kayaks. More than 100 additional Sea Ray dealerships worldwide will stage local AquaPalooza events, most taking place during the last two weekends in July. For event details, visit www.aquapalooza.com.
Grand Banks Appoints New Dealers for Southeast Region
Grand Banks Yachts named two new authorized dealers for the southeastern U.S. market. Galati Yacht Sales will represent Grand Banks across the Gulf region from Alabama through Florida’s west coast, with multiple Florida offices and an Alabama location in Orange Beach. HMY Yacht Sales will handle Grand Banks representation on Florida’s east coast at locations from Miami north through Jacksonville.
Westlawn Institute Relocates Office to Eastport
The Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology and The Boat School announced the Westlawn office has moved to The Boat School campus in Eastport, Maine. The new address is 16 Deep Cove Rd., Eastport, ME 04631. Phone: (207) 853-6600; Fax: (207) 853-6605. The Boat School is affiliated with Husson University, which maintains several satellite campuses throughout Maine.
This article originally appeared in the New England Home Waters section of the June 2010 issue.