THINK ENVIRONMENTALLY...

[Zen]

As sailors, we live, work, play, love on the seas. What happens to the oceans happens to us. What we do to the oceans we do to ourselves. I read about the the girl on the 1000 days a sea say something about throwing plastic overboard and feeling bad because the take so long to break down!   "Plastic is a material that takes a while to break down and it usually floats which makes it unsightly. I have had the irrational fear that I would throw something into the ocean and then one day, I'll be sailing somewhere not too far away and spot that same piece of waste I remember tossing overboard a while ago. Of course, this scenario is very unlikely, but it keeps me saving various wrappers and casings."

Not that irrational!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVwuPSLx2Xc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJvifVrGi8o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXVw19bP0tw

I had a student a few weeks ago, while we were waiting for the boat to be prepared he picked up a few pieces of trash floating in the water. He said. I can not get it all , but at least these will not be out there anymore.

Please keep these things in mind as you are out there.
If you do not know about these horrors to the sea, to our backyard, our food supply, watch the videos, you will know. If you do know, do not forget. The journey of a thousand miles, starts with one step. We can all do something. Bad Karma is not just about screwing over other people, it is screwing over other life. What is done to the ocean is done to ourselves.

Reduce &  Recycle.

Now back to our regular programing.  ;D

those of you bloogers, check out:
http://www.blogactionday.org/

[Lynx]

There is a big thread on this on another forum -

http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4291&hl=trash

However, it is still wise to take care of our own trash eventhough the cities dump it in the seas by the 1000's of tons every day.

[CharlieJ]

Yep- My name is in there somewhere in that thread on Cruiserlog. Quite a good thread by the way.

[AdriftAtSea]

One other thing I'd point out....not only does plastic last a long time, but it also kills a lot of sea life.  Plastic bags are often mistaken for jellyfish by birds, fish and other animals, and if they eat it, it can block their digestive track and kill them.  Fishing line is another real problem, as it traps and kills a lot of different animals.

[Oldrig]

I wouldn't expect people on this board (or any other associated with sailing, or boating in general) to feel any other way about plastic refuse. Like Dan says, it kills lots of marine animals. Sea turtles are especially vulnerable, since jellyfish form a staple of their diet.

My personal gripe is with balloons. When I cruised from Buzzards Bay to Essex, Connecticut, this summer, Lynne and I were amazed and disgusted by the number of balloons we saw floating on Long Island Sound. I simply couldn't understand who would go boating with huge masses of balloons, but apparently somebody on the Sound does. (Big weddings or birthday parties afloat, perhaps).

And several times recently I've seen things on my home waters of Buzzards Bay that I thought were Portuguese men of war, only to discover that they were partially deflated plastic balloons, the kind that look like shiny foil. The foil wears off, but the plastic endures until it washes ashore or, worse, gets ingested by some hapless creature.

Please excuse my venting, I know I'm preaching to the choir here. But who really needs all those balloons?

--Joe

[Fortis]

I think you will find the balloons were helium balloons that could have been inflated and used about 40miles inland and just floated until the pressure of thehelium equalized (or close) to the pressure of air outside. They are too heavy to lift at this point and float about in the water just like an air filled balloon, but many of them have travelled a long long way.

I hate the rescue orange coloured ones because our lot are trained to spot that flash of colour and call out. As a result, we go chasing a lot of balloons.

The upside is that we use them for impromptu / random rescue excercises and have gotten really good at coming about, dousing sail, pulling alongside and retrieving them. We then get them on board and throw them in the bin at the end of the trip....We have at times come home with about 14 of the things....


Alex.

[Frank]

In 03 Judy and I crossed the gulf stream around feb 20th.We could not believe how may helium filled 'heart shaped' balloons were floating all the way across from valentines day. Guess 'what goes up...comes down'

[rtbates]

Very well said..

Plastic should NEVER be thrown in the ocean.

Leave the plastic on shore in a trash can.
Transfer goods packaged in plastic BEFORE leaving the dock.

[s/v Faith]

I had a student a few weeks ago, while we were waiting for the boat to be prepared he picked up a few pieces of trash floating in the water. He said. I can not get it all , but at least these will not be out there anymore.

Please keep these things in mind as you are out there.

  I have a little game that we play going on inland waters.  It involves capturing the 'floatsom' most of wich is plastic.  One black plastic jug I got last week, was filled with used motor oil...  :P

  Thanks for the reminder, will 'toast' you with the next plastic pulled from the drink.   ;D  Till then, here is some grog for you.

[Zen]

This is a idea started last year in Sydney, Australia and many
cities around the world are following suit this year. Many corporations
are joining in also. You may not be able to get fast food for an hour,
or shop at Wally World for one hour.
March 29, 2008 at 8pm Local Time

www.EarthHour.org

Turn off your lights and help save the planet. Local time means where
you live.

No matter what you believe, if you are passionate about it then go "do
something!"
http://www.earthhour.org/

A global event created to symbolize that each one of us, working
together, can make a positive impact on climate change

Showcase your commitment to finding climate change solutions by making a
personal pledge to reduce your own carbon footprint at www.earthhour.org
Earth Hour is a global event created to symbolize that each one of us,
working together, can make a positive impact on climate change - no
matter who we are or where we live. Building off the program that was
piloted in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, the event will be replicated in
over 12 cities worldwide in 2008.
Earth Hour is intended to bring together a diverse group of community,
municipal, corporate and nongovernmental organizations to heighten
awareness about climate change and to inspire consumers and businesses
to take practical actions to reduce their own carbon footprints.

Earth Hour: March 29, 2008 8 - 9 PM

- Cities around the world will join together in literally turning off
the lights for one hour to offer leadership and symbolize their
commitment to finding climate change solutions.
- Lights will be turned off at iconic buildings and national landmarks
from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Local businesses and restaurants will also be asked to turn off their
lights.
- People at home can take advantage of the hour by replacing their
standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

"This is the perfect opportunity for individuals, governments,
businesses and communities around the world to unite for a common
purpose, in response to a global issue that affect us all."

I already signed up, and as the website is so busy it may take you a few
minutes. I realize it is mostly symbolic, but is also a time to think
about how you can save energy all year round. A good family project by
candle light. The purpose is not to create a "baby boom" 9 months from
Saturday...lol.

[Zen]

check out this site on a boat called JUNK

http://junkraft.blogspot.com/