The Boatswain's Mate (Article + Video)

SAG HARBOR, NEW YORK, September 20, 2007 (BoaterB,The Boating Channel)

U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Jessica Walsh
practices her technique with the Boatswain's Pipe

Have you ever thought about the a Boatswain's Mate? Do you know what a Boatswain's Mate is? I've never given it much thought myself. I knew the term, and might have even guessed the right answer on Jepordy. But, I wouldn't have known where to start in an open-ended question like "What is a Boatswain?" Fortunately, I came upon a Coast Guard Video Interview with Joseph Klemencic, from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell, about his job as the boatswain mate of the watch, otherwise known as a BMOW.

Mr. Klemencic does a good job of laying out the functions of a BMOW. He starts by telling us how the BMOW relates to the other major job functions that keep the Cutter Boutwell ship-shape, and ready for action. "The OD puts the focus on the ship, where we're going, piloting. CUMO makes sure the OD is getting the correct information as far as navigation is concerned, and "The BMOW is a watch standard, keeps all that running together, running smoothly." We're then taken on his tour of duty, checkin in on this and that, waking a guy at 5:00AM, rather thoughtfully considering the hour...

The full article and video can be seen at: BoatingChannel.com

Royal Caribbean Floats Out Its Next Jumbo Ship

MIAMI, FL, September 18, 2007 (The Boating Channel) – Royal Caribbean floated out the third ship in it super mega-ship class. The 160,000-ton Independence of the Seas was moved from dry dock to wet dock on Friday at the Aker Yards in Turku, Finland. The sister ship to Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will now undergo many months of finishing leading up to her May 2008 debut in Southampton, England.

She will be the largest ship ever to be home-ported in Europe and is a statement of the company’s conviction that cruise travel in Europe will continue to grow as more and more cruise vacationers seek destinations beyond the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii.

The official ceremonies were held at the shipyard and attended by Royal Caribbean and Aker executives, who joined together to turn the valve releasing 87 million gallons of water into the wet dock area.

Independence of the Seas, which will share the title of worlds largest cruise ship with Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, will be able to accommodate 3,634 guests, double-occupancy. In addition to new programs and onboard embellishments yet to be announced, amenities Independence will include the popular innovations introduced on her sister-ships, including the FlowRider surf simulator; the wet and wild H20 Zone aqua park; and cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 feet above the ocean. The ship will also boast an ice-skating rink; a boxing ring; and the 1,215-square-foot Presidential Family Suite, which sleeps up to 14.

Royal Caribbean International currently has 21 ships in service and three under construction.

Search off New York for Tanker Crewman Suspended

NEW YORK, NY August 7, 2007 (USCG)
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended an extensive multi-agency search at 10 p.m. last night for a crewman who fell from the 600-foot tanker ship Overseas Altamar about 20 miles south of the Ambrose Channel 10 a.m. Sunday.

Coast Guard, New York Police Department, Nassau County Police, and Air National Guard rescuers in 11 ships, boats, airplanes and helicopters searched approximately 2,000 square miles, an area greater than the size of Rhode Island, for 36 hours without locating the 46-year-old Philippine national.

Authorities are withholding his name until next of kin notifications can be completed.

"The Coast Guard and our first responder partners take great pride in saving lives so suspending any search is an extremely difficult decision that we take very seriously," said Lt.j.g. Richard Sullivan, Coast Guard Sector New York duty officer.

"We came to this decision after considering many factors including sea temperature, this ?crewman's attire, the known location of where he fell overboard, and searching an expansive area for 36-hours with multiple rescue crews without finding him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his shipmates."

The Overseas Altamar was en route to the Port of New York from the Netherlands when the crewman apparently slipped and fell into the sea Sunday morning. Other crewmen threw him a life ring, and the ship radioed the Coast Guard and changed course in an attempt to relocate him. He was reportedly wearing orange coveralls and a blue flotation jacket. The water temperature was reported at 73 degrees, the seas at two feet, and about two miles of visibility throughout Monday's search.

Coast Guard Sector New York Command Center, Coast Coast Guard Sector New York Command Center, Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, Coast Guard Cutters Ridley, Seneca and Chinook, Coast Guard Air Stations Atlantic City and Cape Cod, New York Police Department Harbor and Aviation Units, Nassau County Aviation and an Air National Guard Unit were involved in the search.

"OSG Ship Management would like to express their sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of our ?crewmember who was lost at sea Sunday," said Capt. Robert E. Johnston, Senior Vice President of Overseas?Shipholding Group, Inc. "We would also like to thank the U.S. Coast Guard, the New York City police and all the local mariners who participated in the massive sea and air search for the valued member of our seafaring family."

The U.S. Coast Guard will coordinate with the vessels flag nation in investigating the cause of the incident.