[C320-list] Three bladed prop

[Chef Adam Weiner]

Okay, now for a bit of light hearted reading.  The below is from Latitude 38
which is a monthly sailing magazine in San Francisco which has a small world
wide distribution.  Whales, over turned trucks, fishing vessels hitting
bridges and talk of a "return to a more typical 15-25 (knots of wind)
today."

In the words of Jimmy Buffet:  "Just another shitty day in paradise."

Adam



High Winds Wreak Havoc
April 15, 2009 - Bay Area

How about that wind yesterday? Officially, it hit 45 knots at Angel Island
and SFO recorded gusts to 60. Although the wind will return to a more
typical 15-25 today, small craft advisories remain in effect up and down the
coast through Thursday afternoon.


The strong winds wreaked their usual havoc. Improperly wound roller furling
headsails got unwound and shredded. A few boats reportedly broke free from
moorings in Richardson Bay - one went ashore at Peninsula Point, and two
others were recaptured while still adrift. A Corps of Engineers boat also
wrangled a dead gray whale near Angel Island and anchored it near the mouth
of Richardson Bay until the conditions calm and it can be towed out to sea. 

The biggest wind-related excitement of the day revolved around a 70-ft
fishing boat that remains wedged under the western end of the San Mateo
Bridge. A strong gust reportedly blew the Dandy Bill off of the main channel
onto the mudflats sometime yesterday afternoon. The crew called for
assistance and were evacuated by the Coast Guard, but the Dandy Bill drifted
into the bridge. Although it snapped off a call box and chewed up some
concrete, officials maintain that it has not caused any serious damage to
the bridge. That was small solace to commuters, who had to endure closed
lanes both west and eastbound - the latter after winds blew a semi truck
over on its side only a half hour before the boat hit. As if that wasn't
enough, two kayakers were also hoisted onto the bridge after getting in
trouble in the high winds.

Officials are still trying to dislodge the fishing boat, which has partially
sunk in the soft mud. Once its fuel tanks have been emptied and the tide
comes in this afternoon, they hope to get a tug or some other capable craft
close enough to pull it free. If that proves impossible, the Dandy Bill may
have to be removed piece by piece.

- latitude / jr