Challenger Powerboats Seeks Chapter 7 Protection

WASHINGTON, MO, May 2, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

Challenger Powerboats filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court last week.

According to a report in Boating Industry, the SEC filing says: “The company believes that its assets will be insufficient to satisfy the claims of all creditors and it is unlikely that the company's shareholders will be eligible to participate in any distributions of the company's assets as a result of the bankruptcy.” [More]

Frauscher Boats Brings Hybrid Power to Recreational Boating

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 28, 2008 (The Boating Channel)

As the 2008 boating season approaches and gas prices continue to soar, the first glimmer of alternative options for power boaters will arrive in San Francisco this coming May. On Thursday May 15th, California Chris-Craft will introduce Frauscher boats, makers of the world’s first production hybrid propulsion system for recreational boats. The Hybrid Launch event will feature viewing and ...

Coast Guard Saves Couple and Pets from Sinking Boat in N.C.

PORTSMOUTH, VA, March 27, 2008 (The Boating Channel) - The U.S. Coast Guard reports that rescue crews from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., and Coast Guard Station Hobucken, N.C., rescued two people from a life raft after their boat sank near the mouth of the Neuse River on Wednesday.

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received a mayday call at 11:42 a.m. from James and Carol Warren, the crew of the 28-foot Linger While, stating that they were taking on water, and that the pumps onboard could not keep up with the flooding, and that they were abandoning ship.

A C-130 crew from Air Station Elizabeth City was diverted from a training flight to the vessel's location, where they sighted the two boaters sitting on top of the overturned vessel's hull.
The C-130 crew remained on scene until the Station Hobucken rescue crew arrived and safely transferred the Warrens, their two dogs, and their pet bird aboard the 25-foot rescue boat.

The Warrens and their pets were taken to Station Hobucken. "I did four years in the Navy, and after today I have a lot more respect for the Coast Guard. They did a really great job. It was a very quick response - they were out there 22 minutes after we called on the radio," said James Warren.

"The Warren's actions exemplify proactive thinking in regards to safe boating practices," said Chief Petty Officer Jeremy McConnell, the officer in charge at Coast Guard Station Hobucken.
"When the crew arrived on scene, the Warrens were wearing their life jackets and maintaining a position next to the sunken vessel ensuring that they didn't drift away from the wreckage. They also utilized a VHF radio to call out their distress. Their prudence as mariners helped save their lives and the lives of their animals," said McConnell

E-20 Gas Amendment Offered To Energy Bill

Boat/US Magazine

SAG HARBOR, NY, September 22, 2007 (The Boating Channel)

Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) are sponsoring an amendment to the energy bill that can help Boaters avoid damaging their marine engines and fuel tanks with gasoline blended in high concentrations of ethanol.

According to the story, "Shadegg learned firsthand of the destructive power of ethanol in marine fuels when he pumped E-10 gas into the fiberglass gas tank of his 1973, 28-foot Bertram, Inevitable. The tank degraded rapidly, resulting in thousands of dollars of damage to the boat and its engines."

The amendment adds roadblocks to the permit process for states to require gas blended with ethanol concentrations higher than 10%.

USCG Investigating Debris Field in Georgia Waters; Requests Help from Public

CHARLESTON, SC, July 24, 2007 (USCG) Coast Guard crews at Station Brunswick, Ga., received a call from the research vessel Lady Lisa reporting the debris field. Rescue crews launched to search the area and confirmed the report. Coast Guard crews also located a stern portion of the vessel with the name Turmoil on it Cumberland Island, Ga.

The debris doesn't have any marine growth on it, which would indicate that it hasn't been at sea for an extended period of time.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Savannah, Ga., is searching the area along with a boat crew from Station Brunswick. The Coast Guard cutter Yellowfin from Charleston, S.C., is also assisting in the search. A Coast Guard fixed-wing aircraft from Air Station Clearwater, Fla., is also assisting in the search.

Coast Guard units have determined the debris field is approximately 30-miles long extending from the mouth of the St. Mary's River, Ga., to Sea Island, Ga.

The vessel was last registered in the state of Georgia to Harry Jones of Brunswick. Jones sold the vessel to Jack Evans of Darien, Ga., approximately three years ago. It's not known whether Evans still owns the vessel, but Coast Guard investigators are trying to track down the current owner of Turmoil. Jones told rescue coordinators the Turmoil was an approximately 65-foot shrimp vessel.

Coast Guard rescue coordinators received a call from a sailing vessel reporting they heard a mayday call over VHF marine radio channel 16. No Coast Guard units heard the call. A Coast Guard helicopter searched the area and didn't spot any signs of distress. Nothing indicates that the two cases are related.

If anyone has any information, they are urged to contact the Coast Guard at Sector Charleston at 843-724-7616 or on VHF marine radio via channel 16 immediately.

Coast Guard Rescues Sailboat Crashing Against Rocks (Story w Video)

(SEATTLE, WA, June 2, 2007) - The Coast Guard assisted four people on a sailing vessel that ran aground at the south end of Lopez Island, Wash. on May 27th. Coast Guard Group Port Angeles received a call from the 36-foot sailing vessel, the Shekinech, that they had ran aground and needed assistance. A Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles and a Coast Guard 33-foot small response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham also launched to the scene. Upon arrival the 33-foot small response boat pulled the Shekinech off of the rocks while the helicopter hovered in case of further complications. A commercial assitance vessel arrived at the scene and established a tow enroute Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, Wash. No injuries were reported.

Video: Dramatic Rescue of Sailboat Crashing Against Rock Cliff

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