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July 11, 2005 -- Vol. 5 Issue 28 Written by Jack R. Simpson (unless otherwise noted), owner of J.R. Simpson & Associates, Inc. and contributing editor to The Waterways Journal.
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 In This Newsletter:
Headline Errors
"Miners Refuse to Work after Death" A Personal Note From Jack
 Capt. Jeff L. Yates has reminded us of how careless some of us are when we are around water. His concern was sparked by a recent Ohio River incident in which four people on a 19-foot bayliner had to leap into the river when their vessel caught fire.
The most noticeable infraction was that none was wearing a personal flotation device. We wonder why. One reason is that people feel that PFDs are not handy, nor comfortable, nor allow sufficient freedom of movement. Nevertheless, for their own safety and perhaps the mental peace of mind of others, they are required. Perhaps miraculously, all four on the boat survived. The reports were sketchy. Others who were out on the water enjoying their Sunday stopped to help toss life preservers, they said. Obviously, it was one lucky family. A young adult reportedly was taken to a medical center in Beaver, Pa., for treatment of burns. Among the witnesses to the incident was a marina and boat repair shop owner who thought the problem was probably caused by an overheated engine. When the bayliner passed on Beaver River toward the Ohio convergence, he saw a trail of smoke following the boat. The concern of Capt. Yates, however, goes beyond the mere failure to wear PFDs. According to reports, the boat had been purchased only three days before the fateful cruise. It is said to have blown up after the operator accelerated. The shell of the charred boat remained tied to a tree Sunday night. Accident reports such as these do not surprise Capt. Yates, particularly following holiday weekends. "So often boats burn or explode on their first outing or within days of being purchased by folks who have no experience or have not taken time to thoroughly check the vessel before taking it out on the water," he said. More upsetting to him, however, is the fact that even the children were not wearing life jackets. Capt. Yates, who has many years of experience operating boats and, as a writer, reporting on maritime activities, still strongly favors boat operator licensing. Some may wonder why we, who are interested in commercial navigation, are interested and concerned about recreational boaters. The reminder that PFDs are important and life preserving is good to pass along. But the fact is that recreational boaters also cause a lot of headaches for towboat operators. The infractions range from a wild wave runner operator who feels he must get his kicks by running across the bow of tows, much of the time not within the view of the towboat pilot to the boat operators who simply ignore the danger associated with getting too close to large tows. Under certain barge arrangements, there is a tunnel formed between the bow of one barge and the stern of another. Recreational boaters have been known to fly through this opening at breakneck speed. Wave runner operators have criss-crossed in the wake behind the huge wheels of operating towboats. Not infrequently, boaters who have been using alcohol operate late at night and get involved in tragic accidents with tows, which operate around the clock. Riverboat captains could recite a long list of experiences involving reckless boaters and wave runner operators and skiers, all of which are naturally designed to increase stress on the towboat operator. Maybe that’s just one of the reasons that towboat captains die in their 50s and 60s. The stress is killing. Well, this is nothing new. It is not something we don’t already know about. But people become complacent, or neglectful, or just plain don’t take enough time to learn about their vessels, and bad things happen. It is good for us to think about this occasionally. Capt. Yates, who has witnessed a lot of this in his day, has been kind enough to remind us. For Those Inclined To Pray
 We have modified the steps for joining our Prayer Circle. If you visit the Prayer Circle link on at www.littleriverbooks.com, you will find that those who sign up are completely anonymous. We do not ask for first names nor states of residence. Joining is as simple as providing an email address to which we can send future prayer requests. Each prayer request list includes a link for including requests.
By joining our Prayer Circle, you can tap into the prayerful support of circle members wherever they are. Membership and prayer requests are open to everyone. Advertising
Your classified ad can go in this space for $10 for one week, $20 for two weeks, $25 for three weeks, and $30 for four weeks. For details click here. On The Waterfront
News Will Be Breaking Soon (soon is a relative term) on Maritime Legislation The truth is that in recent days, the Senate pass appropriation bills and the House didn’t act on the Water Resources Development Act. These various items can come up at any time. So while we have nothing new to report, we have to advise that we are hoping to see a successful conference committee action on appropriations for the Corps and House action on WRDA 2005. Stay tuned! Advocates Seek Support for Federal Solar Energy Tax Credits Just as maritime interests are busy expressing their support for higher Corps financing and a new Water Resources Development Act, supporters of solar energy are calling for colleagues to convince Congress that federal tax credits for solar energy are in vogue and should be passed. Both Senate and House bills exist. It is said they contain the most significant solar tax incentives in 20 years. Renewable Energy Access says that growing solar economy will create more jobs and improve energy security. Sponsoring the Renewable Energy Action Alert is the Solar Energy Industries Association. The association is urging support for the more favorable Senate version of the Energy Bill. It would include : (1) a 30 percent tax credit for the installation of solar energy systems, (2) six years for business customers, and (3) four for residential, with a $2,000 cap for residential systems. These provisions are available to all solar technologies: solar thermal, PV, concentrating solar power, and solar hybrid lighting. The House bill would provide only a 15 percent credit available for two years, for PV and solar water heating. The alert asks supporters to let their congressmen know how they feel about the issues. WRDA 2005 Reached House Floor But July 4 Recess Came Before Action On It Just to bring readers up to date, the Water Resources Development Act of 2005 still awaits action (as we said above). There has not been a WRDA since 2000. This is the closest we’ve been in a long time. The bill is House Resolution 2864. It is this bill that authorizes seven new locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The breakdown includes new 1,200-foot locks at Locks 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25 on the Upper Mississippi; and at LaGrange and Peoria Locks on the Illinois at a cost of $1.8 billion. For an additional $235 million the measure would provide moorings at Locks 12, 14, 18, 20, 22 and 24 and LaGrange and switchboats at Locks 20 through 25. It would also include developing and testing of a lock appointment scheduling system. Readers may recall that over the years it has been suggested by opponents of the above projects that back-ups and jams at various locks could be prevented by a scheduling system that set up appointments for tows to pass through the locks. The river industry has countered that this system would not be workable due to a variety of unknowns that would have to be factored into the schedule. For example, a towboat operator might received orders to pick up barges or may run into other complications that would interfere with keeping the appointment. A Navigation Economic Technologies (NETS) initiative, sponsored by the Corps of Engineers’ Institute for Water Resources, is studying lock scheduling, traffic forecasting, and project analysis. According to "Capitol Currents," newsletter of the Waterways Council, Inc., "One of its contractors, the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, has set up a web site tracking progress of its ’inland waterways lock/vessel optimization study.’" The site is: www.umsl.edu/depts/cts/waterways/ Environmentalists Not Happy With Corps’ Peer Review As readers can recall, all kinds of tactics have been proposed in an effort by detractors to tighten controls on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, right down to the idea of having outside panelists evaluate proposals and pass judgment on them. This effort has been going on for years. The pending Water Resources Development Act 2005 contains within it allowances for independent Corps review. Among the provisions is one that stipulates that an independent panel of experts must review all proposed projects costing more than $50 million (mandatory) or that any other project may reviewed (discretionary) when so requested by a governor or the head of a state or federal agency charged with reviewing the project, if the Chief of Engineers decides that the project is controversial. But the Corps, without waiting for enactment of WRDA 2005, has announced its on peer review. (We must keep in mind that there is no assurance that WRDA 2005 will pass.) The Corps of Engineers has implemented new peer review guidance for "decision documents." According to "Capitol Currents," The guidelines require "external peer review" of pending projects which are deemed to be very expensive, potentially risky, or precedent-setting. Though dated May 31, the guidance was announced around the first of July and expires in September 2007, after WRDA’s peer review provisions are presumably in place. While pro-waterway groups lauded the Corps announcement, environmental groups were not pacified, "Capitol Currents" noted. Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense expressed the thought that the guidance didn’t come close to what is needed. David Conrad of the National Wildlife Federation said what is needed is "a kind of independent, dispassionate review…." (Editor’s note: There is nothing dispassionate about the people these organizations would like to do the reviews.) Crossing The Bar
Capt. Jeffrey C. Owen, 61, of Chester, W. Va., died early July 9 at a Sewickley, Pa., hospital following emergency surgery after suffering an aneurysm on the towboat Joe T, where he was captain. Capt. Owen worked virtually his entire life on the river. He had been a pilot for, among others, Fer River Towing Company; LeBeouf Bros. Towing Company, Inc.; and was last with Campbell Transportation Company, Inc., where he worked for many years. The family will follow his wishes to be cremated, with his ashes spread on the Ohio River in front of the family homestead at East Liverpool, Ohio. Jeff was the brother of Dan Owen, owner of the Boat Photo Museum and contributing editor for "The Waterways Journal," where he is editor of the "Inland River Record." He always called Dan to tell me if he saw a strange boat or one recently sold or renamed. Dan also contributes pictures to the Photo Center on our web site and technical information about boats and towboat activities. advertisement
The River School - Deck and engineer licenses, radar observer, tankerman, fire and water safety courses, video programs. Travel classes in convenient locations. (800) 238-7113 www.riverschool.com Recipe Box
 If you are a towboat cook, home chef, backyard barbecuer, tailgater, or know anybody who is, please pass the word along to submit recipes! SHRIMP & SEA SCALLOP SALAD 1/2 pound large sea scallops 1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled & cleaned 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 small shallot, minced salt & pepper Mrs. Dash table blend spice 1 head of red leaf lettuce 1 head romaine lettuce small amount of salad savoy any oil & vinegar-type dressing Mix your salad greens and dressing together in a big bowl. Make up individual salad bowls or plates for your guests. Have this ready to go before you start pan searing the seafood. It cooks in under five minutes. Heat olive oil in a pan on medium-heat. Add shallots and sea scallops. Add spices to taste. Sear the scallops until browned on first side (about a minute or two). Turn the scallops over and add the shrimp to the pan. By the time the scallops are done, the shrimp should be pink. Remove seafood from pan with a slotted spoon and put on top of salads. Serve immediately while hot. Boat Photo Center
 This week’s selection of pictures in the Photo Center include the Courtney Lynn, Natchez and Valda from Thomas Waller; Deana Ann (two), Raymond Grant Eckstein, and Samuel B. Richmond from Jim Klosterboer; the Str. Peace and towboat Peace from the Boat Photo Museum; and the Transporter, and three shots of the Washington alone and with the Linda Little.
Our Readers Write
Report from mid-channel: Thanks for the pix of Admirals’ event at Grafton. I wish I could have attended and brought along something to run in that interesting, hay bale pond. But, well, just but, I couldn’t. However, I do have something river-wise to send your way. Mary and I got back yesterday, Wednesday, July 6, from riding the RiverBarge Explorer from Nashville down the Cumberland, through Lake Barkeley and the canal to Kentucky Lake, then up the Tennessee to Florence, Ala. Hey, man, that was quite a boatride — and on a barge to boot. But what a barge! Great informality, good food, fine crew, and a 4th of July fireworks launched from the center of a hundreds strong flotilla of pleasure boats. The RiverBarge Explorer provided a skydeck view of all those massed navigation lights amid flickering, wave-induced reflections. And then a St. Louis riverfront-style fireworks display erupted from an anchored vessel in the midst of it all. WOW! To put it mildly! Shore trips took us to Shiloh Civil War battle sites, to Helen Keller’s (famous author) home; to reconstructed log-cabin villages; several great museums and the like. Best of all is the RiverBarge Explorer’s guest pilot house located up front on a top deck. There, passengers can sit in real pilot chairs, watch radar repeaters, listen to river radio traffic, follow the course on river charts and even lounge on the "lazy bench" up behind. Cabins are equal to good hotels, and some even have balconies from which to wave at crews of passing tows and we saw plenty of them. Those RiverBarge Explorer folks sure know how to "run a riverboat." We were with one of Roy Reiman’s Worldwide Country Tour groups. Most of the 200 passengers (whole boat load) were people from small towns or with special interest in our inland rivers and life afloat on them. Yup, it was a great event. Glenn Hensley Kirkwood, MO USA Advertisement
I have a 35 mm Nikon F2 in mint condition and lots of other goodies for a combined price of $750. The only lens is a 52 mm Nikormat macro (and extender ring) that allows for shooting relatively normal pictures (no telephoto zoom or wide angle) that allows focusing down to about 2 inches. Other accessories include horsehide camera bag (large boxy type), and various extras too numerous to describe. I will not break up the package. Anyone interested can contact me by calling 314/921-4419 and ask for Jack, or via email at jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com. Book Beat
This week we will promote two books we don’t have in good supply right now but will have soon. Two Cruising Guides:  The first is "Cruising Guide From Lake Michigan to Kentucky Lake: The Heartland Rivers Route" by Captain Rick Rhodes. The book covers the Chicago, Calumet, Des Plaines, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and covers a span of more than 800 miles. Topics specific to inland cruising, such as negotiating floods safely and sharing rivers with commercial traffic, are addressed. The book also provides incites into the region’s past along with current restaurant and entertainment options. Copyrighted in 2002, the book contains thoroughly researched information about the area, including 5 NOAA chart excerpts, 21 sketch charts, 91 marinas, 53 fuel locations, more than 30 cities and towns, 33 GPS way points, 15 locks, more than 170 bridges, 140 launches and ramps, and hundreds of phone numbers. The price on this book is $28.95 plus S&H. Phone orders (with Visa or MasterCard) can be made immediately by calling Jack at 314/921-4419. We should have our supply of books in a few days.
 The second book is "Discovering The Tidal Potomac: A Cruising Guide and Boating Reference", second edition, published in 2003. It, too, is by Capt. Rick Rhodes. Contents include 35 NOAA chart extracts, 91 marinas including 38 dock sketches, 5 shore-side locality sketches, 47 boat haul-out yards, 53 gas and 27 diesel sites, 96 boat launch ramps, 46 useful GPS way points, 88 black and white photos, more than 60 restaurants, 180 phone numbers, and 45 website addresses. It also includes more than 200 miles of shoreline and 400 years of history. This book sells for $26.95 plus S&H. Again, phone orders can be made by phone with Visa or MasterCard, as explained in the previous graph. Supplies should be here within a few days and shipments will be made then.
Nautical Gift Shop
Steamboat Clock & Barometer - The hinged porthole-style case is solid brass with a lacquered antique finish. It has quartz movement for convenience and accuracy and runs on one AA battery. The matching Steamboat Barometer has visible aneroid barometer movement, and the antique brass case is hinged so that the movement is accessible from the front.280522 Steamboat Quartz Clock $136.49 280722 Steamboat Barometer $146.99 Tow Talkin'
July 11, 2005 By Kathy Flippo There has been much controversy in the past couple of years about the two-watch system on towboats. The forward watch, which the Captain stands, is the six hours before noon and the six hours before midnight. The after watch, which the Pilot stands, is obviously the six hours after midnight and noon. 
The problem is, according to those who make the rules, is that pilot fatigue is what causes accidents such as groundings and hitting bridges. Okay, I can see some of that; but on the other hand, a pilot who is in tune with the watch system can stay alert and "with the program" while on watch.
I was taught that when I was steering I stood. Makes sense to me. Sitting down you can get too comfy. There are miles and miles of not much to see but water, buoys and trees. As one Captain used to say, "There are five hours and fifty-eight minutes of boredom and two minutes of sheer terror…if you want to continue, click here. See you on the Web, Jack Little River Books jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com Don't forget to visit our website! |
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