Kingston waterfront news: April 2006
Cold water and its effects are involved in virtually all kayaking and recreational boating deaths. An article posted on the Yachting World website explains what makes cold water exposure so potentially risky, reviews some strategies to minimize that risk, and raise a few hairs with some stories of tragic, and mostly preventable, cold water deaths. For example:
The current water temperature in these parts is 40F. The article is titled Shocking news about cold water. Read the whole thing.
- Nine elite marines, water survival instructors, capsized in 36F water wearing sweatsuits and no PFDs. None of them survived the attempted 100 yard swim to shore.
- Sixteen (16) Danish fishermen jumped into the icy waters of the North Sea when their trawler sank in a storm. They were in the water for a 2 - 3 hours before being rescued. They walked across the deck of the rescue vessel and went down into the galley to warm up. Each and every one collapsed and died in the galley.
- An average adult person has a 50/50 chance of surviving a 50 yard swim in 50F. water.
The City of Kingston announces that the Inner Harbour sewer overflow tank (is now) in operation.
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper reports that Kingston dumps raw sewage... again... and again... and again... and again... and again.
Kingston has bypassed sewage seven times during five "events" in the first quarter of 2006. According to Waterkeeper, since 1999, the city has dumped well over 1-b i l l i o n litres of raw sewage into area waterways. How embarassing.
Over at Collins Bay Marina they're already launching boats. "This is the earliest we have ever started the season!" says Hub Steenbakkers, owner of Collins Bay Marina. "It is starting off to be a great season!".
Here are two views from the controllable Collins Bay Marina web cam which you can take for a spin at www.CollinsBayMarina.com/WebCam.html.
At other locations:
- Rideau Marina should begin launch activities in the next week or two, and
- Kingston Yacht Club launch day is April 29th.
- At Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, this afternoon they were hoisting-in the finger docks which winter ashore.
Both the Kingston Yacht Club and Collins Bay Yacht Club have updated their racing and social schedules for the coming months.
The City of Kingston has been working with The Kingston Brewing Company with an eye to reivitalize #6 Clarence Street.
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper has issued an open invitation in Kingston this week.
Meet us in Kingston this week!
Join Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and Gord Downie in a discussion about Kingston's burning issues.
Find out what's being done - and what you can do - to win back your lake... and your future.
Where: Queen's Grad Club, Kingston
When: 7:00-9:30. Wed. April 5, 2006.
How: You must be on the list to attend. Please email RSVP@waterkeeper.ca.
Space is limited. First come, first serve!