SAILABRATION

So you’re cruising along having a great time with the family and friends in your new powered boat and you see a sailboat that may cross your bow. What do you do? Well the answer does rely on you and it is your move to alter course because you have a powered vessel that can maneuver much easier than a sailboat. This rule doesn’t always apply though. Most sailboats have a small motor to enable them to maneuver around the docks and harbors, but some skippers use them all the time to avoid messing with the sails.(sounds good to me). They can turn as easily as you can in most cases. When this happens they become a power driven vessel and the rules of right-of- way apply again. There is another variable in this situation. When a sailboat has his sails out and he is using his engine, he must display a day shape triangle apex down in the riggings. At night, he must display a white light mid-mast somewhere. Keep in mind that you are probably going 20 to 30 knots and they are going roughly 4-8 knots, so still be a courteous skipper. Until next time, be safe and see ya on the water

Written by Captain Alan Stewart of the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center
For Information on the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center please call 956-639-8697

You know, there have already been two stories written about Parroteyes closing at the end of the month, but I just have to get my feelings about this place known. I don’t know how many people know Ron Guillot, but if I was a betting man, I would win by saying at least half of this island knows or have met him. Ron is what most people call a stoneface pussycat. He can stare you down in a heartbeat and be giving you his shirt off his back the next. He is just that kind of guy and to see his baby for many years disappear must be heart wrenching. I know it is for me and my wife Janice. I met her about 7 years ago and the first place I took her after she got into town was to Parroteyes. This is my home away from home, my office, my playground, my meeting place, my restaurant, my music venue. I have seen many things take place here at our corner of the world. It was where The Beach Bums really had the time of their lives. Matt Theiss and I matured to a one of a kind band there. We recorded both of our c.d.’s at Parroteyes. Yep, I’m crying….and it’s not the first time. It has been a daily ritual for Janice and myself this week just to go there every night at sundown and cry and reminisce with our good friends.
Ron is a business man and most people know he will be opening up a new Parroteyes where you will be able to hear the Beach Bums play, go fishing, snorkeling, parasailing, and most of the things he offers now……but you know……. It just won’t be the same. There are names and dates written with marks-a-lot pens all over the place and THAT is what makes it what it is. So, Ron Guillot, thanks for the memories and “ GOOD JOB”.
As always, be safe and see you on the water.

Written by Captain Alan Stewart of the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center
For Information on the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center please call 956-639-8697

A NEW REEF

I love to snorkeling and swim in the bay with my clients all summer long. Someday soon, I am going to get certified to scuba dive by my friend Bill Lawrence and for good cause. Sometime in the first of the year a new reef will appear below the surface approx. 17 miles due east of the Santiago pass Jetties. Well not just that simple. This was something that I had written about a couple of years ago and it never materialized, but now it has. The Texas Parks and Wildlife has completed some meetings with folks about sinking a vessel out just east of us. Remember the hype when they were gonna do this a while back? Well, it is really gonna happen this time. The Texas Clipper was a 473-foot former WWII troop transport ship, and was also used recently as a cruise liner and a trainer for the Texas A&M University Maritime Academy and it will be our new artificial reef. It will leave to go to ESCO Marine’s facility in Brownsville where they will clean all non desirable elements from it before taking it out and blowing a hole in it. It will become a really cool artificial reef for diving and fishing. Another cool thing is that, as they usually do, announce it’s sinking and people can go out and watch it go down. You can probably call Murphy’s Law and get a ride with them to see this one of a kind spectacle. This is part of the Ships-To-Reefs program who have sunk several ships with the efforts of the Texas Coastal and Marine Council.
As always, be safe and see you on the water.

Written by Captain Alan Stewart of the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center
For Information on the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center please call 956-639-8697

January 2006 articles
February 2006 articles
August 2006 articles
September 2006 articles
January 2007 articles
April 2007 articles
December 2007 articles
Texas Clipper Article
May 2008 articles

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