News Focus camera on seabirds for the SeaBC count If you’re planning a coastal transit or an offshore passage in November, December or January, contribute to the “SeaBC” Sea Bird Count. The SeaBC was created to raise awareness among long-distance cruisers from around the world to record their seabird observations. Research projects such as migration and nesting, climate change, and beach erosion are improved and accelerated by including a larger observation and data-gathering pool. Last year’s inaugural count spanned 100 degrees of latitude, from Maine to Antarctica. This year they’re encouraging mariners to take digital photos of birds seen at sea. Instructions and tally sheets are available at http://tinyurl.com/SeaBC, or at facebook.com/Birding.Aboard, where you also can share your photographs and sightings with other birders in transit. All data goes to Cornell University’s eBird database (www.eBird.org), a worldwide resource for scientists and conservation groups. The SeaBC is a citizen science project organized by eight long-distance birdwatching voyagers from around the world: Diana Doyle on Semi-Local, founder and coordinator (U.S.); Jeanne Socrates on Nereida, advisory board (Great Britain); Beth Leonard on Hawk, advisory board (U.S.;) Katharine Lowrie on Lista Light, advisory board (Great Britain); Brenda Free on Willow, advisory board (U.S.); Wendy Clarke
Photo courtesy Diana Doyle
A Wilson’s storm-petrel is caught on camera. This year, the SeaBC bird count wants mariners to take digital images of birds.
on Osprey, advisory board (U.S.); Devi Sharp on Arctic Tern, advisory board (U.S.); and Yvonne Katchor on Australia 31, advisory board (Australia). Last year’s inaugural SeaBC was promoted by three long-distance cruising rallies: ARC (Canary Islands to St. Lucia), 200 boats; Baja Ha-Ha (San Diego to Cabo San Lucas), 200 boats; and Caribbean 1500 (Hampton, Va., to Tortola), 70 boats.
Cape Wind buys East Marine in Falmouth Cape Wind has purchased East Marine, on Falmouth Heights Road in Falmouth Harbor, to be used as Cape Wind’s Cape Cod operations headquarters, Cape Wind president Jim Gordon announced in late August. Fifty people will be permanently employed at the Falmouth base of operations The Falmouth Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in 2009 to encourage Cape Wind to locate its maintenance and operations facility in town. “Cape and Islanders once lit the lamps of the world by harvesting whale oil,” Gordon said. “Pretty www.pointseast.com
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soon, every morning, workers will leave from Falmouth Harbor to harness the inexhaustible power of the wind for a healthier environment, increased energy independence and sustainable economic development.” Existing operations at East Marine will continue unchanged for this winter’s boat storage season and for 2013 summer operations, after which Cape Wind expects to begin interior renovations of the two buildings and fine-tune its use of the site. Cape Wind expects to continue to operate some traditional
C-PORT reports that AFRAS (Association for Rescue at Sea) will continue recognizing deserving member of CPORT for their rescue-at-sea efforts. Rescues for which individuals are nominated for the award must have occurred between Nov. 1, 2011 and Oct. 31, 2012. Include a full description of the circumstances and events giving rise to the nomination and include such factors as: Location of the incident, weather conditions, skill displayed, determination to conduct the rescue operation,
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C-PORT seeks rescue industry nominations
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