Latitude 38 October 2000

LETTERS

find to be the case. In addition, I thought it was just about impossible to figure out what a call will cost, as the prices are set at so much per minute — plus an unspecified charge for the long distance service. Who knows how much that will be? I suggest that the buyers beware.

' Captain Mike Maurice California

Overnight Visitors and Yacht Club Cruises Welcome.

The Antioch Marina, built in 1988, is at the foot of L Street in Antioch. The Marina features berths from 24 to 70 feet. All berths are constructed of concrete, providing even flotation with clean, smooth dock surfaces.

DAILY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES AVAILABLE SAILBOAT SLIPS AT $4.75/FOOT

The following services are available at the Marina:

• Computerized security gates

• Locked berthers' restrooms and showers

• 10-foot average water depth

• Fuel dock dispensing gas and diesel

• Free waste pumpout station

• 20 and 30 amp electrical service

• Ample parking close to berths

• Coin operated laundry facilities

• Easy boating access to Bay and Delta

• Bayliner/Maxum dealership on site

• Guest dock and overnight berthing

• Grocery store within three blocks

• Mini golf/arcade five blocks away

• Marine insurance agency

• Humphrey's on the Delta restaurant

• Fishing piers and observation pier

• Bait, tackle and ice available

• Shoreside parks and picnic areas

• Public restrooms

• Wetlands preserve with birdwatching

• Wide open sailing and deep, fresh water

Easy access by boat via the San Joaquin River, by car via Highway 4, and train via Amtrak. The harbormaster's office and fuel dock are open seven days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Overnight rates: Boats less than 40’: $11 Boats 40' and over: $16 Refundable key deposit: $20/key Radio or telephone for overnight accommodations. Rates and information subject to change.

For more information, call the marina at (925) 779-6957, email marina@ci.antioch.ca.us or Channel 16 VHF

Capt. Mike — Come the middle of November, we're going to know a whole lot more about how well the Qualcomm phones and Globalstar satellite system work in Mexico. This is because Qualcomm/Globalstar are the official communications system, ofthe Baja Ha-Ha, and because a number of members of the fleet have purchased their phones and satellite service for use during the Ha-Ha and while cruising in Mexico. In addition, the Grand Poobah will be using the Qualcomm/ Globalstar system to send daily photos back to the States for posting on the 'Lectronic Lati¬ tude site. For the time being, nobody else will have this latter cq.pabU.ity.

According to Carole Schurch, who represents Qualcomm and Globalstar, ever since the service started it was always possible to make high quality satellite telephone calls from Mexico back to the States, but you could not receive calls on the phones in Mexico. The problem was. how can we say this delicately, 'non technical in nature. As of late September, it was expected to be solved "any day now".

When it comes to the cost of phones, phone rates, and service areas, Schurch admits that it has been confusing but recently has become clearer. One tip is to use the Globalstar USA site, not any of the others, because it's the provider that Americans would use and has the most accurate information on coverage and roam¬ ing charges. Better yet, give Schurch a call at (800) 475-5158, and she'll answer all your questions. In addition. Schurch will be at both the Ha-Ha Crew List Party and Reunion at the Encinal YC on October 3 starting at 6:00 p.m., and then again at the Ha- Ha Costume and Kick-Off Party at Cabrillo Isle Marina in San Diego on October 29 starting at noon. She'll be giving demonstra¬ tions and fielding questions.

When we’ve used the Qualcomm satellite phone with the Globalstar system, the sound quality has been excellent. And there is obviously some demand for it among cruising sailors. We’re confident that it's going to work. s

-

TNlCIVIL LITIGATION

By way of introduction, my name is Dr. Jacqueline Maupu. I am a visiting French lawyer who specializes in what you would define as corporate/environmental affairs of law. Naturally, my attention and interest is large vis a vis environment pollution and redress of the like of the Exxon Valdez tragedy. As you may know, France has sustained much tragic coastal .pollution in many tanker disasters. Of course, the issue of pollution in Eu¬ rope is not limited to the nautical. I have been engaged in the study and analysis of litigation in Europe and Asia, and now in the United States.

As a sailor, I read the Just a Token Cleanup letter by Joe Bennett — and his lack of redress for the personal loss he sus¬ tained from the Exxon-Mobil spill. What particularity received my attention was your editorial comment that Bennett is a vic¬ tim of Exxon and of "the American legal system" — with the latter being the principal culprit.

I do not know if you print criticism of your belief, but as one who has been professionally inyolved in redress for fishermen, coast resort communities, and other victims of water and coastal pollution due to ship groundings in Europe and Asia, I wish to assure you that American lawyers and its justice system are far more sensitive to the plight of the little people than in Europe

Page 82 • ItlXUJ.132 • October, 2000

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\ou're sitting in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, ready to sail to Tonga, watching the weather fax and chatting with other cruisers. Everyone is excited to be heading to the relaxed warmth of the tropics. The next morning you clear customs, and put the last stores aboard. The noon weather fax shows a little wiggle on the surface. Just a hint of lower-than-normal pressure, north of Fiji. Your friends are all leaving. What do you do now?

It’s fall, and you’re docked at Bannister’s Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island. The last trip to the marine store is finished, the fresh food is aboard, you and the crew are anxious to get away to Bermuda. The afternoon 500mb fax charts show a trough developing over the Great Lakes. What’s the next step?

Or, it is Sydney Harbor. There’s a gale forecast for the Bass Straits on your way to Tasmania. Right now the wind is fair for the passage, blowing from the north - and there’s always a gale forecast here anyway. The morning fax chart shows a small tropical depression, one that appears to be dissipating, 500 miles away to the north in the Tasman Sea. Do you go, or do you stay?

Rx for the Perfect Storm

The situations above are real-life examples. The first refers to the 1994 Queen’s Birthday storm. The second was the scenario for the infamous 1991 Halloween storm (“The Perfect Storm”). The third was the 1998 Sydney-Hobart Race storm. These storms all had two things in common, first the initial weather forecast missed them and second each weather system gave off early warning signals - if you knew what to look for.

Understanding weather is not that hard with the right tools. It is the key to safe, comfortable, and fast passages. Nothing is more important. No piece of gear, no design feature, no skill is as critical. With a basic understanding of meteorology you can read between the lines of the official forecasts to discern the risk factors, the things the meteorologists don’t show you, and then decidefor yourself what to do next.

What if you miss the signs and get caught? With the correct preparation and tactics, all of these storms were survivable, even in small craft.

It Takes More than Luck...

After more than 200,000 miles of sailing, and a lifetime spent designing and building offshore yachts, Steve and Linda Dashew know that nothing is more important to successful voyaging than being prepared to deal with the vagaries of weather in all its forms, both pleasant and unpleasant. The Dashews’ two newest books, Mariner’s Weather Handbook and Surviving the Storm: Coastal & Offshore Tactics bring to you, for the first time, the knowledge used by the most respected professional sailors, forecasters, and world cruisers to make the most efficient use of weather while keeping out of harm’s way by avoiding hostile conditions. These books will teach you how to do it too.

Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, the Dashews’ books are filled with first-person accounts that are fascinating as well as informative. Mariner’s Weather Handbook and Surviving the Storm are engineered to be used as learning tools before you go to sea, and as quick references under way. They are filled with executive summaries and valuable checklists. Both are jammed with an incredible collection of illustrations.

Mariner’s Weather Handbook and Surviving the Storm will teach you how to avoid bad weather, and use the good to your best advantage. And, they will show you how to prepare for the worst. You and your crew will go to sea more confident in your own skills, and the capabilities of your yacht. Your passages will be safer, faster, and more comfortable.

Unconditionally Guaranteed

Read these books to learn the best way to make the weather work for you, how to avoid dangerous conditions, and how to prepare crew and vessel. Once you’ve read them, if you don’t agree that this is the best investment you can make (in time and money) towards safe, comfortable cruising, simply return the books post-paid within 90 days for a complete refund.

Everyone's talking...

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Beowulf Publishing 12635 Delman Lane Department L-010 Pineville.NC 28134, USA USA Order Toll-Free: 800-421-3819 Phone: 801-488-1241 Fax: 704-544-0919 Vmm

Email: Beowulf@SetSail.com Sample the book & order on-line at:

For more information on The Perfect Storm, Queen's Birthday Storm and the Sydney-Hobart Storm, visit WWW.SetSa i l.COfTlj

October, 2000 • LwtCUUt 39 • Page 83