Boating is a very popular pastime which can be highly rewarding. However, there are also dangers associated with boating. In 2007, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) reported 688 deaths, 3,686 injuries, and 5,223 accidents due to recreational boating. Property damage was estimated to be more than $53 million. These are the reasons why it’s important to practice boating safety. Whether you are out at sea or at a lake, you have to develop the necessary skills to operate a boat properly. When you are in the boat, you have to know exactly what you are doing. In case of an emergency, you have to know how to react to the situation. In this article, we will look at boating laws, boating safety advice, the weather, and emergencies. This information is provided by Action Donation Services® If you have a no longer needed boat or yacht, consider donating your vessel […]
The Erie Canal was officially proposed for the first time back in 1807. It was noted for being the very first system of transportation between New York City and the Great Lakes that did not necessitate any portage. Another advantage for travelers was that it was a faster means of transportation than carts pulled by animals. Its construction also helped save travelers money because it reduced the costs of transportation by 95 percent.A waterway that can be found in New York, the Erie Canal runs for 363 miles. It travels from Albany to Buffalo, along the Hudson River until it arrives at Lake Erie. The Erie Canal basically completes a water route that is navigable, from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Great Lakes. A total of 36 locks span the length of the canal, and its total elevation differential is approximately 570 feet.The reasons behind the creation […]
Coral reefs are one of the more varied ecosystems, providing a home for a quarter of the ocean’s creatures. The majority of the world’s reefs are found in tropical waters, specifically in the Pacific Ocean. People and animals rely on ocean reefs for food, and some areas depend on the reefs for tourism and protection of the shoreline.Although coral seem like hard rocks, it is actually a living creature. All coral reefs begin with a small polyp. The polyps are fragile organisms, and each one excretes an exoskeleton for protection from predators. This cup shaped exoskeleton attaches to other polyps around it and these skeletal polyps form a coral colony. This coral colony extends to form what people know as coral reefs. As the polyps continue to excrete new exoskeletons, they move upward and outward, living on the surface of the old, dead skeletal system created previously.There are three types […]
The Beaufort Wind Scale is a scale that is used by seamen and coastal observers to estimate wind speed. The scale was created by British Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort in the year 1805, and it was derived from his observations of sea conditions. It was especially important during the 19th century, because no sophisticated wind speed-measuring equipment was available at that time. Despite the introduction of new technologies, it is still being used by seafarers today, and it also applied to measure wind speed on land.Initially, the Beaufort Wind Scale has 13 classes, which were numbered 0 to 12, to provide descriptions for various wind conditions. It was only in 1955 that the scale was extended to include five more classes, numbers 13 to 17. The present scale also includes descriptions of the effects of wind forces on land. The modern Beaufort Wind Scale consists of six columns, which […]
The exhilarating experience of sailing carries with it its own collection of terminology. Whether a person is a beginner, or a seasoned sailor, it is important to acquire a vocabulary of sailing terms. Learning sailing maneuvers and the different parts of a boat are just two of the ways that a person prepares for sailing. An individual who is comfortable with sailing terminology is likely to have more confidence when it comes to safely guiding a boat and can easily convey correct information to others in the event on an emergency. This collection of sailing terminology is provided by Action Boat and Yacht Donation services.Abeam– The area at a right angle beside a boat aligned with the center of the boat.Aboard– When something or someone is on or in a boat.Above Deck– When someone is on deck and not in a cabin underneath.Aft– Refers to the back area of a […]