25th Suttons Bay Classic Boat Show

Classic Boat Show Returns to Suttons Bay

The Classic Boat Show was brought back to Suttons Bay by ISEA last Saturday.  If you missed the big day, here are some photos.  Mark your calendar for the 26th Annual Classic Boat Show on Saturday July 20, 2013.

Larry Garber's electric boat sparked lots of interest.  Also on site was and electric powered canoe.

Boats and booths 

Cygnet and Ben Main Jr.  Cygnet has been at all 25 Classic Boat Shows. 

Two Liberty's!  The Friendship sloop owned by ISEA and Larry Rotta's  Scout 30

The Bay Keeper tug Bay Monitor with Emily P and Agosa in the background

Ken Cerny's homebuilt Redwing "Marilyn E"

Don Fritz's amazing Rangeley pulling boat, recently donated to ISEA.  You can own this boat!

Cedar strip canoes built in ISEA's Boat Shop

M/Y Liberty on a tour. 

Visitors aboard Inland Seas try the helm.  361 guests came aboard on Saturday. 

Inland Seas, Champion, and M/Y Liberty

Although not an official participant in the CBS, it was nice to have Canin in the anchorage.

Thanks to all who helped make the Classic Boat Show a success!

--Tom Kelly

Movie "Hide Away" Features Grand Traverse Bay Setting

SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING


"Hide Away" (formerly titled "A Year in Mooring")

Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 pm

Tickets $25 to Benefit the Maritime Heritage Alliance

Finally! It's time to see "Hide Away" (formerly titled "A Year in Mooring") on the State's big screen. Shot in Bowers Harbor, with the climactic scene shot right on Front Street, this winner of the 2012 SXSW Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Cinematography captures the rhythms and beauty of our area and was filmed with the support of our neighbors. The producers have generously arranged for this special advance screening to benefit the Maritime Heritage Alliance on Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 pm.

This filmed-Up-North movie from noted Native American director Chris Eyre ("Smoke Signals") stars Josh Lucas ("The Lincoln Lawyer," "Sweet Home Alabama") in his first dramatic leading role. The story focuses on a troubled man attempting to rebuild his life by restoring a boat in an idyllic harbor in northern Michigan, watched by three harbor residents: a waitress (acclaimed Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer, "Angels & Demons," "Munich"), a veteran mariner (James Cromwell, "The Artist," "Babe"), and a newly single father (Jon Tenney, TV’s "The Closer").

The sailing cutter Hesperus (played by Traverse City's "Champion") in the film was provided by MHA, and proceeds from the benefit will go to support the at-risk youth program SAIL Champion, community programs on Welcome and Madeline, and to promote Great Lakes Maritime History.

General admission tickets are $25. Tickets go on sale at 12 noon on Friday, May 18 online, at the State Theatre box office, and by phone at 231-947-3446. Doors open at 6 pm, and afterwards producer Sally Jo Effenson, along with Rod Jones and Jed Mooney, who worked on the film, will take questions from the audience.

The film opens nationwide on May 25. It is Rated PG-13, and is 83 minutes.

View the trailer at http://www.hideawaythemovie.com/.com.

Crew Training - Critical Decisions 2012

Last evening the crews from Madeline, Welcome, Champion, Manitou and Inland Seas gathered at the Center Point building in Traverse City to discuss and analyze several boating accidents that occurred to three different vessels (WingNuts, Rambler100 and Concordia).  There were 26 people in attendance including representatives from the U. S. Coast Guard and the National Weather Service.

Justin Arnott of the National Weather Service in Gaylord explains the July 17, 2011 storm that blasted the Mackinac Race.

Steve Wetherbee of Northport takes the mystery out of vessel stability calculations



Thanks to the presenters Justin Arnott (NWS), Andy Sullivan (NWS) and Steve Wetherbee, and to Center Point for providing the conference room. 

Follow-up recommended reading:  Seamanship, The Forgotten Factor by C. A. Marchaj and Tall Ships Down by D. S. Parrot 

Here are my Lessons Learned from the 2011 Capsizings:

1. Inventory all deck openings and means of closing

2. Develop checklist for post-lightning strike (click to see check list)

3. Add 3 HH VHF radios to ship: 1 in forward scuttle for bow crew, 1 for rescue boat (kept in boat),
1 for amidships- kept near 1st aid boxes

4. Add squall drill to crew training exercises (goal it to minimize time to lower sail in an emergency).

5. Review IS stability information with all captains and mates. Add stability section to IS Operations Manual.

6. Review weather information sources & interpretation with captains and mates.

7. Review location of all lifesaving gear for easy access in event of knockdown. Drill crew on gear locations (find blindfolded).

8. Add to Standing Orders: “In unsettled (squally) weather conditions, the first washboard will be fitted to each companionway to the weather deck”. Also “Keep ports closed and dogged”.

9. Add to Standing Orders: “Night operations: All deck crew shall have a handheld VHF radio, light, harness snapped into jackline, knife and whistle”.

10. Post Vessel Information Sheet by telephone in ship’s office ashore and at home. (Staple to Emergency Communications List)

11. Inspect all harnesses and replace any that do not have quick release snap shackles on one end.

Check back for additional info later. Leave comments in the box below.  Thanks, Tom Kelly