Marina Dock Cleaning Equipment
July 6, 2007
Docks needs to be routinely pressure washed or they become slippery and ugly from black algae and small spills. Often they have spilt oil, fish guts, beer, fuel and even sewer tank liquids on them. Obviously you do not want anyone to slip on anything like that. So what equipment to do you need to use to have the best results.
You really need a good pressure washer. It would be best to have a hot water pressure washer if possible, but a cold pressure washer will work also. You can use a stiff bristle brush or a broom even perhaps to clean any stuck on dirt or bird droppings when using your pressure washer.
It is not recommended that you use any type of soaps or cleaners as these will probably directly run right into the water causing environmental concerns, possible fines for you. So please avoid any of the soaps or cleaners even though it may be tempting to use them. Good old-fashioned elbow grease will take care of the situation.
Dock and Deck Cleaning Business
July 5, 2007
A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will be also to take care of any buildings that are on or near the water, and the docks themselves as they can get covered with bird droppings, dirt, spider webs, and anything like that. Wood decks, docks and piers are subject to attack by moss, insects, sun, salt spray, fish guts, water damage, physical wear, foot traffic, rain, snow, morning dew. All of which are quickly absorbed into unprotected wood causing it to swell, deteriorate and chip away, also causing shrinking, warping, splitting, cracking and discoloration.
Because docks are horizontal, they hold water and snow for prolonged lengths of time. The dampness attracts pollen and fungal spores, which collect and cause this ugly discoloration and black algae. And, of course, these horizontal surfaces are subject to 40 to 50% more direct sunlight than their vertical counterparts. The bottom of a dock may be as much as 50 to 60º F cooler than the topside.
Holland American Alaskan Cruising - New Alaskan Cuisine April 2005!
July 4, 2007
Alaska is a place to experience not merely to visit or to see. Holland American Alaskan Cruising is the best way to experience the marvels of the Alaska coast. Add Holland America cruise tours to your Alaskan itinerary, and you have the makings of a once in a lifetime Alaskan adventure.
Announced in April of 2005, Holland America will launch a new Alaskan culinary experience to its seven ships bound for Alaskan cruising. HAL’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has developed a menu of Alaskan salmon dishes. Dubbed “Going Wild for Salmon”, this feature is an extensive menu rotation of Alaskan salmon during each cruise. This Alaskan delight will also include on-board culinary events, cooking demonstrations and seminars.
Having spent time recently in Anchorage Alaska, Chef Rudi thought that the delicious Alaskan salmon should be brought on board. This will enhance the Alaskan flavor of cruising to Alaska aboard Holland America.
Chef Rudi and his staff have developed about 50 distinctive Alaskan salmon recipes. Every night, a whole range of Alaskan salmon dishes will be available. The “Going Wild for Salmon” menu choices will be available 5 nights a week on board their Alaskan cruises. Holland America now offers more Alaskan salmon dishes than any other cruise line to Alaska.
Survival At Sea: What You Need To Do, What You Need To Have
July 4, 2007
Two boys from South Carolina made headlines a few weeks ago. They had spent six days adrift at sea before being rescued … off the coast of North Carolina.
The boys, one fifteen and one sixteen, had set out in a small boat with no paddles, no motor, no sail, no food and no water. The fact that they had survived for six days under these circumstances is almost a miracle.
The first lesson to be learned from their experience goes almost without saying: never, never, never set out to sea without paddles, a motor, or sails. No matter how close you think you will stay to shore, no matter how serene the ocean seems, no matter how calm the weather is, you just can’t trust that conditions will not change.
Beyond the obvious, that you do need paddles or a sail, what else do you need to survive at sea and what you need to do you to maximize your chances of survival?
The US Army Survival Manual has some very good information on the topic of survival at sea. The first thing, in the words of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, is "don’t panic." Check the physical condition of everyone onboard. Give first aid as necessary. Take seasickness pills if available as vomiting from seasickness (or any other cause) increases the danger of dehydration.
Panama Cruise Expert Guide
July 3, 2007
Situated in the country of Panama in Central America is the Panama Canal - a manmade waterway connecting the great oceans of the Pacific and the Atlantic together. It is 80 kilometers in length and is wide enough to accommodate a whole host of ocean-going vessels, including Panama cruise ships. The Panama canal marks the only point at which the landmass of the North American continent and South American continent are physically separated from each other - a fact that distinguishes the canal as a true wonder of the 20th century engineering world.
The Panama Canal was initially designed to cut travel time for vessels that needed to cross between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. It first opened its commercial doors on 15 August, 1914 and is now used by more than thirteen thousand vessels each year. Along the canal’s length are three sets of locks. The locks act as water elevators, enabling vessels to traverse upslope/downslope across the canal terrain.
A Panama cruise takes in the full length of this magnificent canal, revealing some awe-inspiring views of an incredible feat of engineering, as well as offering a tantalizing selection of tour options along the canal. These include sailing or kayaking on Gatun Lake, through which the canal passes. Visitors can also book a tour of the Panama Canal railroad, which takes in dramatic views of the canal itself and the Central American rainforests.
Keltic Seafaring
July 2, 2007
Many academics are unable to handle the possibility of ships that travelled the oceans as long ago as the Franchithi Caves dig that showed 13,000 B.C. community fishing fleets. It even was hard for most to accept the Kelts at the time of Caesar had this technology at that time despite the words of Caesar. Some people think knowledge once gained is never lost but that is far from true. Barry Fell was a Harvard Professor of Oceanography before he got the bug to expose the truth. Some (Like Wiseman in Archaeology Magazine of ‘Camelot in Kentucky’ article from 2001) ridicule Fell as “self-taught” in matters such as Ogham. Truth is, Fell took one of the only small courses available at the time from Edinburgh University. Who can really learn the truth from academics that hide it? His name was made dirt by academics but his legacy from America B.C and Bronze Age America has been sweet vindication.
Mexico Cruise Expert Guide
July 1, 2007
Being our next door neighbor, Mexico can sometimes be forgotten about when it comes to choosing a cruising vacation. After all, why go to Mexico when the tropical paradise of the Caribbean is right on our doorstep? If these are your very thoughts, then why not take some time out to uncover the delights that await you on a Mexico cruise. What you discover will surprise and fascinate you?I guarantee it!
The majority of cruise lines operate Mexico cruise round-trips from the ports of Los Angeles and San Diego. The main points of interest (cruise-wise) in Mexico are to be found down the western coastline. Mexican cruise destinations on the Gulf of Mexico side are catered for by Caribbean-oriented cruise vacations departing from Galveston, New Orleans and some ports in Florida.
From the Californian ports a wide choice of Mexico cruises are available through several different cruise lines. These vary from a short 3-night cruise that takes in one Mexican port of call - Ensenada - before heading back, to 14-night cruises down to Acapulco and back.
