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RE: Ask a Maritime Attorney: Does the oldtime salvage law apply?

(SEPT. 17-30) “Here’s an idea: How about contacting the rightful owner and making his or her day by simply returning it. If they are so inclined, they might offer to take you out to lunch or for drinks. You might actually fi nd greater joy and satisfaction from doing the right thing than you would from receiving a salvage fee.”

—Jeff Patron

RE” Ask a Maritime Attorney: Do I legally have to render assistance to a distressed boater?

(SEPT. 3- 16) “David- Always enjoy reading your columns. You mention “you must render assistance to a vessel in distress”, but is there a difference between the property (a vessel) and human life/ safety? What happens if I, as the operator of a vessel assisting/rescuing a vessel in distress, believe that my own capabilities as a captain or those of my own owned vessel rendering aid are not capable of “rendering assistance to a vessel…”? I would always of course focus on passengers and crew of a vessel in trouble, but having to render aid to property (the vessel in distress) seems a little too far of a burden, and could expose me to danger/harm to my own vessel and crew. Thanks again and look forward to your response.”

Write to: The Log Editorial, P.O. Box 1337, Newport Beach, CA 92659 thelogeditor@thelog.com.

—Sailboat Scotty

RE: Catalina Past Times: Coin Diving

“You would fi ght to the death over a coin. It was Darwinism at its fi nest. I remember competing with a much bigger diver for a quarter… He grabbed my fl ipper and hauled me back and away, and I bit him in return. I used to blow my hard-earned change at the Arcade or taking myself out to a movie. I really loved diving for coins and was so sorry the custom ended.”

—Mary K. Riewer

Comments are edited for clarity.

On Board With Johnson by J.R. Johnson

FAST FACTS

Fast Facts: Hoover Dam Powers the West

By: KATHERINE CLEMENTS

In October of 1936, the United States Bureau of Reclamation arranged plans for a massive dam on the Arizona-Nevada border to calm the Colorado River, provide water, and harness hydroelectric power for the evolving Southwest.

The dam was also created to provide essential flood control, which would prevent damage to the farming communities downstream who suffered each year from the snow runoff from the Rocky Mountains.

According to History.com, the electricity produced by the Hoover Dam transmits lines spanning 266 miles through mountains and deserts, powering the lights, ra-