View From The Pilothouse

Transcription

1 January 016 Tides & Times View From The Pilothouse What a year 016 will be! As I look forward to all the possibilities, looking back and reflecting is always exciting, too. 01 was the year of significant change here at FHM: the new public esplanade, new B & C docks, outside seating areas, the marina being 9% full and 0 more liveaboards than this time last year. Oh, did I mention the fuel prices?! Yes, we have cheap fuel (though I cannot take real credit for this), which is most definitely a change I am happy about and hope holds true until spring. 016 will be a year of waiting lists, increased inventory in the marina store to accommodate occupancy, longer lines at the laundry and, if I had to anticipate, a few lukewarm showers due to the increase in marina residents. I In This Issue: Keeping Your Boat beautiful Tell Us What You Want in Your Store! Pets on the Poop Deck Classified Ads Falling into Icy Water A Live-aboard Perspective Thank YOU! BIG Seattle Boatshow Sunrise at Foss Harbor Photo by Kevin Hamblin I am sure with that, the question will be "what are you going to do about that?, to which we ask that everyone be just a little patient! We are now maxed out in terms of space and our ability to expand, with the only expansion taking place being the future replacement of the entire main building more on that later. There is a possibility the city could get the next phase of the Esplanade rolling (gates & 6) in the fall/winter; as we progress through that process we will keep you posted. In the meantime, we will hope for good weather again and a terrific boating season! But before we get too far ahead, we still have months of winter to get through, so stay warm, check your power cords often, watch for slick docks and monitor marina s and texts notifying you of dock water shutdowns. Wishing you 1 Months of success, weeks of laughter, 6 days of fun, 8760 hours of joy, 600 minutes of good luck and seconds of happiness. West Seattle Marina Fire Lori Natucci, General Manager 1

2 How To Keep Your Boat Looking Beautiful Crewed yachts maintain a standard of beauty that hardly seems attainable. Here are some of their secrets. How all these megayachts keep their shine and beauty perennially intact can be a subject of envy for all of us on smaller ple asure craft. Can we possibly reach this perfection, too? How a yacht looks depends on how much energy or money goes toward maintaining the appearance. In the case of superyachts, it helps that they have large crews who must be kept busy every day. But following so me of the practices from superyachts can keep your boat looking its best for years. Cover That Fender: Keep your fenders wrapped in terry cloth to protect the hull from abrasion and dirty docks. After A Run, Take A Shower: Hose down the hull carefully. Then jump into the dinghy and wipe it with vinegar to remove saltwater spots on the glossy finish. Dark-colored hulls tend to show the salt more, requiring frequent vinegar treatment. Keep Stainless Stain-Less: Wipe stainless steel and chromed bronze fittings with a chamois cloth often. Make polishing and waxing these metals routine. Some metal-polishing products already include wax compounds. Cover Up What You Can: External varnished brightwork should be protected from UV damage by Sunbrella covers. Take them off to impress guests. Sunbrella covers should also protect stowed tenders, dinghies, outboard motors, barbecues, and other accessor ies. Protect Upholstery: Use covers that can take wear and tear and food stains. If your boat's in the yard, or you're having a mechanic aboard, cover decking and internal floorboards with tough plastic sheets with a nonskid pattern, sacrificial rugs, or carpeti ng. Drop A Hint: To protect varnished floorboards from daily wear, put large baskets by the companionway so visitors get the hint and take their footwear off at the dock or at anchor. An Alkaline Shine: To keep engine rooms and engine spaces impressively clean, apply light acid or any alkaline teak cleaner to aluminum diamond-patterned plate floorboards. If possible, take the pieces outside for this work, where they can be rinsed off e asily. Nice And Neat: Anti-chafe leatherwork on the loops of dock lines looks seamanlike and protects the lines. -Tom Zydler What s in Your Marina Store? What Would YOU Want? Foss Harbor Residents, we need your feedback! Did you know you may request your favorite food, beverage or sundry staples to be sold in our store? Especially with us being at capacity with live-aboards, we want to make sure you feel right at home. So, don't be bashful, tell us what you want! Please your suggestions to melynda@fossharbor.com Thank you!

3 CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified to Brandy's Attic 7 Broadway Tacoma Foss Harbor residents, mention this ad and get 0% off most items, excluding consignment and layaway items. Offer valid January 1-1, 016. Happy New Year! Looking for a Fun and Exciting Part-Time Office Position? It s FREE! Puget Sound Sailing Institute is a local sailing school offering sailing classes, vacations, sailing club and excursions and we are looking for a qualified Part-Time Office Assistant! Job is located at Tyee Marina in Tacoma and training would start in the beginning of February. Hours can be flexible but you must be able to work mornings on Saturdays March October. Pay based on experience. For a full job description or more questions please contact the PSSI Office Manager, Lindsey at info@pugetsoundsailing.com or Thanks for your interest! Pets on the Poop Deck This is Libby, the sweetest and most gentle one eyed wonder dog you will ever meet. Libby s life may have started out a bit ruff, (pun intended) but Just look at that smile! now she is thriving on board M/V Lusty Lady with her loving owners. Thanks Susan & Phillip! Do you have a pet on your poop deck? Send pics to melynda@fossharbor.com

4 FALLING IN ICY WATER: WHAT TO DO Courtesy of US Swim School Association FALLING INTO ICY WATER IF YOU'RE A COLD WEATHER CRUISER CAN BE LIFE THREATENING. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN CRUISING IN THE COLD! If you are a cold weather cruiser, or a live-aboard who keeps your boat in the water all winter, avoiding an unexpected swim in icy water could be a lifesaver. If you do fall in, however, it's important to know exactly what to do. If you fall overboard, slip off the dock, or otherwise end up in the freezing waters, remember these important tips: Brace Yourself: This may be difficult to do at first, due to the immediate change in body temperature and shock from the cold water, as the body s immediate reaction is going to be to gasp for air and hyperventilate. Breathing in the freezing water increases the chance of drowning. Jen Brett Keep Calm: Do not flail your arms; this will release more body heat. The body loses times more heat in cold water than in cold air. Panicking will do nothing; keep your head above the water, grab onto ice, the hull, or dock if you can. Do Not Undress Winter Clothes: Keep winter clothing or foul weather gear on while in the water. It will not drag you down; it will help keep in body heat and any air inside the clothing will help you float. Throw, Don t Go: Never enter the water to rescue someone. If someone is there to help you it is safer for that person to throw a lifesaving device, halyard, or any other rope into the water, wait until you grab hold and then tow you to safety. Otherwise, you could both end up in the water. Get Warm: Once out of the water, seek medical attention to bring body temperature back to normal. A LIVE-ABOARD PERSPECTIVE Below is an we recently received that warmed us to the core. We found it to be a poetic description of the live-aboard life. Thank you for your feedback; whether it be positive or constructively negative, we value it! Subject: Re: December 01 Newsletter Hi Foss Harbor Team, I just wanted to drop you a "Well done" note about the overall tone and spirit of the marina newsletter and events culture you have helped nurture...it makes me wish I lived aboard again. Especially with all the great opportunities to interact with the other tenants at the marina. For us life aboard was a very pleasant experience. Stepping aboard our boat from a daily work life "on land" was a special moment, each day. From your first step, as the boat dips acknowledging your weight, you immediately are more in touch with the water borne environment all around you. Wind, waves, waterfowl, seals and storms are all part of the daily envelope while aboard - a unique experience usually not part of a "on-land" residence. And while privacy can be an issue with others living just across the dock from you, these "close" neighbors can also be the watchful eyes and ears of help to safeguard your boat while you're away. One of the most enjoyable aspects of marina life was the community closeness with all the different tenants and their boats. From the worst fixer upper, to the most expensive yacht, if you lived aboard, we all have so much in common. From the casual head nod of recognition, to the warmest, "c'mon aboard", living dockside is one of the most fulfilling ways a person can live. Thanks for doing all that you do to help make living aboard an even more enriched lifestyle. Eric

5 THANK YOU! If you didn t make it to Foss Harbor s Christmas party, tsk tsk! Of course, there s always next year. We gave away over $ in prizes, enjoyed food prepared and brought by our dock mates, indulged at the open bar, awarded prizes to our lighted boat decorating contest winners, and had an all-around smashing good time. Foss Harbor staff would like to thank all in attendance as well our generous sponsors: Skip & Jan Anderson & FLAGSHIP MARITIME ACADEMY - DAVE S DIVE SERVICE - Dennis Thompson & NAPA John Miller & TACOMA MUSICAL THEATRE - Tracy Wright & AFFORDABLE MASSAGE - PUGET SOUND BOAT SOLUTIONS - Paul Morrison & FLEET FEET TACOMA - Kerstin Hilton & IF WISHES WERE FISHES - SAVI DAY SPA - LEMAY MUSEUM - THE SOCIAL BAR & GRILL - Gwen & ROCK THE DOCK PUB - MUSEUM OF GLASS - COMMENCEMENT BAY MARINE SERVICES HOTEL MURANO - WEST MARINE - Dave Overbo & CANYON COFFEE CO - Karen Gamboa & KK SEWS Thank you all for a fantastic evening! Come see us at the 016 January 9-February 6 Stop by the Foss Harbor booth at the BIG Seattle Boat Show; we d love to see you there! Two boats catch fire, sink at West Seattle Marina SEATTLE -- Throngs of firefighters and first responders were called to a West Seattle marina Tuesday night after two moored boats went up in flames. Calls began to come in just after 8:0 p.m. about a fire at a Harbor Island marina located in the 100 block of SW Spokane Street. The fire burned away the lines tying the two boats to the dock, causing them to drift off into the Duwamish as crews blasted them with a water cannon. Two other boats and several structures at the marina were also damaged, according to the Seattle Fire Department. The boats were unoccupied at the time and no one was injured in the fire. While fire investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, these incidents are always scary reminders of why we make sure our power plugs are secure, outlets dry and avoid having all heaters and other electrical equipment running all at once, which can overload circuits. If you have questions regarding proper electrical set-up, feel free to our Operations Manager, Scottie Monett, at Operationsmgr@fossharbor.com.