Some Things To Do This Fall

MITA Annual Meeting and Stewardship Party

Join fellow Maine Island Trail Assn. volunteers, Trail enthusiasts, members, and partners for the Annual Meeting and a toast to this year's volunteers Thursday, Sept. 16. Everyone is welcome! Time is 5-9 p.m. Location is Belfast Boathouse, 34 Commercial St., Belfast.

While MITA is excited to get together, it is closely monitoring the COVID situation. Please RSVP here and put this date in your calendar. MITA will keep you updated if anything changes.

Autumn Gales Returns

Coach Greg Paquin coach, will hold Autumn Gales this year Oct. 29-31 on Long Island Sound, Ct. This is a chance to practice your ocean skills with one of the best rough water coaches out there and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded sea kayakers. Paquin also offers British Canoe Week Nov. 1-5. Barring travel restrictions, coaches include Nigel Dennis, Harry Whelan, Pete Jones, Axel Schoevers, Nico Middelkoop, Magnus (Maggie) Sigurjonsson, Eila Wilkinson, Calvin Croll, and Juan Paulo Ceron. Similar to last year, given the uncertainty of the Covid climate and Delta variant, the event will lmit the number of participants so signing up early will be key to securing your spot. This year, the Autumn Gales will be run out of the New England Sailing and Science Center (NESS) and the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society — both located in Stonington Borough, Connecticut.

To register autumngales.com.

Delmarva Paddlers Retreat is Back Off

Chris Beckman writes us, "Deja vu all over again. Unfortunately, we have pulled the plug on Delmarva for 2021. With the rise in covid cases and the number of vaccinated people still coming down with it we looked at all the options and just didn't see a way to pull it off safely. The two big concerns were sharing accommodations and what if we all wound up in the Quails Nest all weekend. With no dining hall we were going to be unable to even think of social distancing. Plus our reputation should we become a spreader event. We don't want anyone taking anything home with them but big smiles and a desire to return.

Put Oct 6-9, 2022 on your calendar."

Brattleboro Outing Club

The Brattleboro Outing Club has several paddling trips in the fall. Details are posted at "Summer Paddling."

"Paddling is good for both body and soul. It allows us to exercise, as well as getting into nature, away from the four walls, into a clean, safe and open environment," says organizer Larry McIntosh.

Sunday, October 3: Somerset Reservoir, Somerset, Vt. Meet at 8:30 a.m., Coffee House, Wilmington, Vt. (Jct of Rtes 9 West & 100 South)

Wednesday, October 6: Harriman Reservoir, Center Section, Wilmington, Vt. Meet at 9 a.m., Coffee House, Wilmington,Vt. (Jct of Rtes 9 West & 100 South)

Saturday, October 9: Leader's Choice, where the colors are peak. Meet at 9 a.m., south end of Hannaford parking lot, Putney Rd, Brattleboro, Vt.

Details about where & when to meet for each trip are also posted on the BOC website. There's also a list of recommended items to bring. Pandemic paddling is back on, masks on until out in the water, carpooling on within own bubble, six-feet spacing at lunch. Everyone is welcome to join BOC Masked Paddlers, and/or, just go out on your own.

FMI, contact Larry at (802) 254-3666, or Lmacyak@gmail.com.

Adirondack 90-Miler

This race is an Adirondack tradition dating back over three decades. The annual event, which takes place over three days in September, takes paddlers from Old Forge, N.Y., to Saranac Lake, NY, the first 90 miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

In early 2020, the NFCT announced that it would acquire the 90-Miler, and other events and activities traditionally managed by the Adirondack Watershed Alliance, by the launch of the 2021 paddling season. The NFCT will run these events in 2021, with support from the AWA and its founders, Brian and Grace McDonnell. Other events include the ‘Round the Mountain, Celebrate Paddling Invitational and the Long Lake Long Boat Regatta.

This year's 90-Miler will take place Sept. 10-12. The event is nearly full. Send a message to info@northernforestcanoetrail.org to find out if there is still space for your boat in the race.

NFCT will host the 90-Miler with guidance and permits from state and local officials, in accordance with all New York State COVID protocols.

Schoodic Sea Kayak Retreat

Join Nick Schade and Sea Sherpa Kayak in Down East Maine for a week of spectacular paddling, Sept. 19-25 on the Schoodic Peninsula. "Nick Schade and Gerry Polinsky assisted by Barb Todd, Joey Schott and other to be determined, will lead you along amazing shore lines, across beautiful harbors and around spectacular islands where you can either bask in the glory of it all, or expand your skills, while exploring fantastic rock gardens, sea caves, slots and off shore ledges. With the five-day format, all paddlers will have the opportunity to experience the renowned Sullivan Reversing Falls (aka white water for sea kayaks). Non-paddling friends and family invited. Check it out here.

Essex River Race is Back, Maybe

The Essex River Race, Mass., sponsored by the Cape Ann Rowing Club (same organizers of Blackburn Challenge) is probably back after a year hiatus. It will take place Oct. 2. Currently registration is not open because organizers are watching the Covid situation. Check back here

Safety

What To Do with Expired Flares

Marine flares are pyrotechnic devices that boaters can use as a distress signal in emergencies. The United States Coast Guard requires most boats over 16-feet long to have at least three marine flares on board at all times for emergency use. Flares expire within three to four years of purchase and must be replaced. For recreational boaters, fishermen, and lobstermen, expired flares can pile up over the years. The question then becomes: what should be done with old, expired flares?

Read more about what do with with expired flares from the Friends of Casco Bay.

Environment

Florida Manatees Dying At A Record Pace

Eight hundred eighty-one have died so far in 2021 — already more than twice as many deaths as in all of 2020.

These gentle, curious mammals are starving to death and swimming through some of the worst pollution they've ever known. Meanwhile boat strikes remain a constant threat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has begun a review to determine what protections manatees need under the Endangered Species Act. Manatees are now listed as "threatened," but it's clear they urgently need the full power of the Act.

The manatee die-off has already taken more than ten per cent of their population — and it isn't stopping.

Pollution from fertilizers, pesticides and human waste is poisoning the water they live in and depleting the seagrass they eat.

And boats keep plowing into them, cutting them up with propellers and killing them through blunt-force trauma at staggering rates.

We can't imagine a world without this iconic species. Please tell the Fish and Wildlife Service that manatees should be fully protected under the Endangered Species Act to guarantee their survival.

California Recommends Protection for Leatherbacks

Leatherback sea turtles have been around since dinosaurs roamed the planet. But over the past three decades, they've declined by more than five per cent every year off the California coast. Only about 50 Pacific leatherbacks now forage in those waters annually.

Thankfully, in response to a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity and Turtle Island Restoration Network, this week California's Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended protecting them under the state's Endangered Species Act.

"For millions of years these ancient reptiles have traveled across the Pacific using their long flippers, which can easily catch on fishing lines," said Catherine Kilduff, a Center attorney. "Now California has to commit to ensuring they survive by converting to ropeless pots and traps and doing research to prevent entanglement in other gear."

Climate Crisis: Warming of the Gulf Stream

Scientists spot warning signs of Gulf Stream collapse. A shutdown would have devastating global impacts and must not be allowed to happen, researchers say.

Coast Guard

Coast Guard, partners rescue missing paddleboarder off Maui

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard and Maui County Fire Department rescued a missing stand-up paddleboarder approximately 1.25 nautical miles off Ukumehame Beach park, Aug 6.

The Maui County Fire Department Air 1 helicopter aircrew hoisted the missing paddleboarder and brought her safely back to shore after a Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew located her.

The paddleboarder was reported to be in stable condition.

"This rescue came down to teamwork," said Lt. Jeff Henkel, an Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircraft commander. "It was a true display of inter-agency coordination at its finest. When local and federal rescue efforts combine, our search capabilities are extremely effective."

At 8:06 p.m., Thursday, Sector Honolulu watchstanders received notification from Maui Dispatch regarding a report of an overdue 51-year-old paddleboarder off Olowalu Beach.

The report stated the paddleboarder was last seen 100-yards off the beach wearing a blue rash guard, black leggings, and a blue personal flotation device.

Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners and launched Coast Guard assets in response while the fire department deployed air and ground crews.

At 7:30 a.m., Friday, a Coast Guard Auxiliary air crew located a stand up paddleboarder matching the description of the missing person. The Auxiliary air crew vectored in the Maui County Fire Department Air 1 helicopter crew who deployed a rescue swimmer and recovered the paddleboarder while an Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew provided overhead support.

Coast Guard suspends search for missing kayaker near Vero Beach

MIAMI — The Coast Guard has suspended the search Aug. 7 for a kayaker missing since Aug. 3 near Vero Beach, Fla.

Missing is Donald Waters, 42, from Vero Beach.

A backpack containing personal items of Waters was located by a good Samaritan, Saturday, at approximately 12:18 p.m., 12 miles east of Vero Beach.

The Coast Guard and mission partners searched more than 7,100 square nautical miles for approximately 114 hours.

On Tuesday, Vero Beach Police Department, notified Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders at approximately 9:40 a.m., that Waters went missing while kayaking.

A Station Fort Pierce rescue crew and an Air Station Miami helicopter crew launched and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Flying Fish to assist in the search. Vero Beach Police Department conducted shore side patrols and launched marine and air crews. Searching continued for more than four days by multiple agencies both on and above the surface of the water.

"The decision to suspend a case is never an easy one," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason Reynolds, a command duty officer for Sector Miami Command Center. "Our greatest sympathies go out to the Waters family during this time."

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were also involved in the search.

Coast Guard, good Samaritan rescue kayaker near Keene Island, Alaska

JUNEAU — The Coast Guard and a good Samaritan rescued a man after his kayak overturned near Keene Island, approximately 14 nautical miles south of Petersburg, Alaska, Aug. 22.

A good Samaritan on a vessel located the kayaker in the water and recovered him. The good Samaritan then transferred the man to a Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew, who took the man to shore in Petersburg to awaiting EMS.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a report from Petersburg Police Department at 11:30 a.m. of the man in the water after his kayak overturned.

Sector Juneau watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a Station Ketchikan boat crew who was transiting back to Ketchikan after temporarily working out of Juneau.

"The assistance the good Samaritan gave aided to the timely recovery of the kayaker," said Petty Officer 1st Class Jared Buchmiller, Sector Juneau command duty officer. "The Alaskan maritime community is an asset to the Coast Guard and the public."

Coast Guard rescues two kayakers off Maui

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard rescued two kayakers in distress a half nautical mile off Maalaea Harbor, Sept. 2.

The crew of a Coast Guard Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium recovered the two kayakers and safely transported them back to the harbor.

Both kayakers were reported to be in stable condition.

"By having on their life jackets, these kayakers were able to safely wait for help to come," said Ensign Jon Smith, the command duty officer for Sector Honolulu. "Taking the proper precautions while spending time out on the water can make a drastic difference in cases like these."

At approximately 7:30 a.m., Coast Guard Station Maui crews received a report from the crew of the passenger vessel Lani Kai II of two kayakers who had capsized off Maalaea Harbor.

Station Maui crews immediately deployed to the scene locating the kayakers who were both wearing life jackets.

Both kayakers were brought aboard along with their kayaks and transported to Maalaea Harbor.