what I have mentioned in the past was meant to be funny.but there was a time when this was a serious matter."In this region lay dragons" that was actually written on pre-columbus charts when it was accepted that the world was flat and you would fall off the edge.then theres the all so famous image of a large octopus with its tentacles wrapped around a clipper ship.
there are more serious well documented but rare cases of whales stoving in the hulls of various size vessels.when whale watching off the coast it is forbidden to get to close.but without knowing it you could get between a mother and its calf.there is a documented case where a breeching whale landed on a small motor boat ---thereby sinking it.
so there you are jus' mindin'yer'own on a steady course in deep water----but you think you hit bottom---HARD.you know some thing is VERY WRONG, so you look over the side ----and theres some sort of aggressive leviathan playing "footsie" with your rudder---you see only a profile of large teeth shaking your boat like a rag doll----what would you do??P.S.----these things dont just happen on tv----- ??? :o
That is why I carry several nuclear-tipped harpoons on my sailboat. To discourage PWCs, pirates and large predators. :D
I have actually given this much thought.there are natural defenses for this scenario.where I lived in pahokee there were many instances where cats and dogs were sickened or killed by toads in the area.it seems that these toads excrete a poisonous liquid that gets into the mouths of any predator that attacks them.either the toads are released from their predators toothy grasp or the predators succumb to this "venom" excreted by the toad.this excretion actually gives the signal "I dont taste good" and most of the time they are released.
this happens with certain marine animals too.Turkey fish have venomous spines.there is a small fish that does the same thing as the toad.
so I thought ...in this scenario----here is infact what I would do.you know those plastic placards that say----you cant dump this or that overboard within somany miles offshore?----in this case they have as much value as a fake marriage certificate that you get at a county fair.when faced with this---all bets are off----I would gather up all the toxic chemicals I would have on board----bottom paint---waste oil----gasoline----cleaning solutions---any-and everything----and I would force them thru a scupper in the cockpit and try to make the surrounding enviromnent as inhospitible as possible.----much the way an octopus excretes ink thru its jet to evade a predator.thats the best I can think of.its chemical weaponry.
or I would get the most obnoxious hip hop rap music or heavy metal music and place a speaker or two against the bottom of the hull and turn it up as loud as I can-----come to think of it---that may have the opposite affect---and piss off any whales in the area----ya' know they think those enmass whale beachings have been caused by navy submarine sonar experiments--- :o
Re: not tasting good a as a defense.
I've read the hypotheses that that is why sharks that bite divers typically let go. It is believed they don't like the taste of neoprene.
About tasting bad for whales: whales are not carnivorous, so if they 'attack' it is not because they want to eat you. As such, they probably have limited olfactory sense compared to predators. They MAY not sense the chemicals you dump into the water, or associate it with danger.
Who knows? It is an interesting thought.
And one more thing: about ignoring signs that tell you what you can and cannot do. NOTHING, no law of man, trumps the law of survival. Bradford Angier even discusses this his book "Survival With Style."
So you'd agree that nuclear tipped harpoons are okay in your book... I did equip them with neutron type warheads...after all, we don't like nuclear fall out if we can avoid it. :D I also carry high-explosive and incendiary warheads for the harpoons, for higher life forms than PWC operators. :D
Hmmm, I'd like to see your setup, maybe I can outfit s/v zen with something like that ;D
these things happen so rarely I dont have any specific set up for it.but it only has to happen once.those shark divers that dive in cages might have this as a more common occurance.there had to have been many times where sharks got too curious about lower units.I would guess that a gallon or two of a mixture of industrial grade chlorine and ammonia (maybe thro in some weed killer or rat poison containing cyanide or arsenic) placed into the alimentary/respiratory system of any aggresive creature would at least be a deterrant.come to think of it---that could turn a childs toy water pistol into a lethal weapon.
Quote from: Captain Smollett on July 02, 2006, 08:53:05 AM
whales are not carnivorous,
WHALES ARE NOT CARNIVOROUS???So sperm whales, orca, and numerous others are just gangs of leopard seals in the aquatic equivalent of a fancy dress horse costume?
Are dolphins merely escorting schools of tuna..and if so, to what porpoise?
Alex.
My Correction: SOME whales are not carnivores. :D
Just remember that dolphins include the Orca...which is the largest of the dolphins...not technically a whale per se.
Dophins and whales are both cetaceans, so they are of the same taxonomical order. ;)
Of course, by that arguement, one could say WE are the 'same' also, since we are mammals.
Sadly, I am more of a walrus shape myself.
Quote from: Fortis on August 09, 2006, 05:52:30 PM
Sadly, I am more of a walrus shape myself.
ROFL... I hope you don't have a long mustache at least...
QuoteAre dolphins merely escorting schools of tuna..and if so, to what porpoise?
Alex.
I missed that the first time..... ;D
what do they feed the orcas at sea world-----I am still here peoples jus' waitin fer the rite time-----I need to find a more appropriate place to keep a bhoaght on the deck for a long time at the rite price. I am at a loss as to how many waize there are to miss spell "boat" and still get the meaning across.
Hey, Eric,
Here's a Triton for FREE (http://tp://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/4326)
May not want to live on it, though. ;) Here's the link to the pictures (http://blog.oldragbaggersonline.com/search.aspx?q=triton)
thanx but I want a bhoaghte that is completely trailerable w/o permits.I have had a triton before and will settle for an ariel w/o question.besides I am residing now in an rv that has the room of a 40 foot motor bhoaghte and any further full time living aboard will be limited to ocean crossings only.and now theres a woman at the "helm".she steers the "tiller' very well indeed.shes a cross between Goldie Hawn and Sissy Spacek.I need to see how well Tamy takes to the water.she is a wet dream.
:o Interesting Rv that has a tiller & can do ocean crossing, that looks like goldie named Tamy . I will not even go into the wet part :-X