from The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram.

A duck hunter who rolled his kayak near Jewell Island in Casco Bay on Saturday night set off a chain of events that caused three rescue boats to run aground, including Portland's new $3.2 million fireboat.

There were no injuries, and the hunter who called for emergency help complaining of hypothermia was expected to be OK.

Less certain were the conditions of the boats.

Portland Fire Chief Fred LaMontagne said late Saturday that the 65-foot MV City of Portland IV likely would be pulled from the water for an inspection.

"We had a full-moon tide, an astronomically low tide. During the rescue effort it appears the fireboat struck something on its way back in. It gets very shallow out there, and there are a lot of ledge outcroppings. The lower end of the rudder shaft possibly struck something."

The events began unfolding around 5:30 p.m. during the outgoing tide. The 62-year-old hunter, whose name was not released, apparently flipped his kayak, scrambled to shore and called for help. His wife was with him, though it was not clear whether she was in the kayak with him or in another vessel.

The Fire Department responded with the 65-foot fireboat and launched a smaller rescue skiff when the big boat began running out of water. Rescuers purposely beached the skiff, knowing the tide would leave it high and dry, and assisted the hunter on the island.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard was in the area on a training mission with a 25-foot response boat. While motoring over to Jewell to offer assistance, the Coast Guard boat ran aground.

From its station in South Portland, the Coast Guard launched a second boat. By then, the Portland fireboat was on its way back in to the harbor.

It was during its voyage back to port that it struck a ledge, or some other object, around Whitehead Passage. The second Coast Guard boat assisted the Portland fireboat at that time.

"They were taking on a little bit of water," said Paul Painter, search-and-rescue controller for the Coast Guard. "They were able to keep up with it, but we brought them gas and a pump, just in case."

Late Saturday, the hunter, his wife and their rescuers were still on the island, awaiting an incoming tide that would allow enough water to float the beached inflatable and a small vessel dispatched by Maine Marine Patrol.

Staff Writer Bob Keyes can be contacted at 791-6457 or at:

bkeyes@pressherald.com

Swell Rating System

Ocean physics nerdiness! Estimating the size of breaking waves from data buoy swell info: http://www.stormsurf.com/page2/papers/category.html

Swell Rating System (SRS)

Source: www.stormsurf.com

According to this system, Sunday's peak swell of 9.5 feet at 17 seconds should have translated into category 4, or 10-15'. Throw in the occasional 18 footer, and that sounds about right to us.

Bill

The hurricane passed east of the Gulf of Maine today leaving us with water temps in the high 60s and buoy readings of 8-9' at 16 to 17 seconds. Day trips were canceled and some local paddlers went out to enjoy the sunshine under the skeptical eye of the local harbormaster.

Lumpy waves and bouncy conditions on the North and east end of Cushing were counterposed against some very large breaking waves on the south side of Cushing near the shipping channel. The tide was coming in, it's tough to imagine what it will be like when the tide is on the way out tonight.

The Rocks and Ledges course on Saturday was treated to 4 to 5' conditions with the same long dominant period.

The pictures don't do it justice, partly as I was too scared to take pictures during the bigger sets.

Peaks Island and Outer Green Race Cancelled

Status of Peaks and Outer Green Races scheduled for this Sat, June 20^th.

Due to scheduling mixups along with the rain, fog and swell, we are canceling both races scheduled for this Sat. We hate to do so, but it got listed on several different dates by error.

Until we get a paddle wet,

Tom Bergh

Maine Island Kayak Co

70 Luther St

Peaks Island, ME 04108

207.766.2373

NOAA Vessel Injures Right Whale

In a sad case of irony, or what one fisherman commenter described as "poetic justice," a NOAA vessel carrying researchers to study humpback whales feeding in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary hit an endangered Right Whale.

The vessel had posted lookouts and was travelling at approximately 22mph at the time of the collision. The whale's fluke was damaged by the propeller, but it appeared to be otherwise uninjured.

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald

Operation Paddle Smart

From the Coast Guard News:

PORTLAND, Maine – The public is invited to attend a one-day kayak and canoeing safety seminar at the South Portland, Maine, Coast Guard base, located at 259 High Street, April 25, 2009, from 10 a.m., till 3 p.m.

The event is in support of Operation Paddle Smart, which is a multi-agency initiative to promote recreational paddle sport safety, and will include an in-water demonstration of self and assisted rescue techniques as well as a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration.

Other activities available during the seminar include:

* A press conference at 12 p.m., during which representatives from the Coast Guard, state and local authorities and kayaking guides and instructors will be available to discuss Operation Paddle Smart and boating safety.

* Scheduled tours of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, Station South Portland, Aids to Navigation Team Portland, and Coast Guard cutters will be available from 10 a.m., until 3 pm.

* From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., the public can bring expired flares to either expend under Coast Guard supervision or turn in for proper destruction.

* Experts will provide presentations on trip planning strategies, required and recommended gear and other recreational boating skills.

* The Coast Guard Auxiliary will also offer free voluntary paddle craft inspections outside of the base for members of the public who bring their kayak or canoe to the event.

Additionally, kayak and canoe safety packets, including boat identification stickers, will be available.

“The sticker includes a space for the name of the owner and for other contact information,” said Lt. Bryan Hollis, the sector’s Operation Paddle Smart liaison.

“When we find an unoccupied kayak or canoe, we often can’t be immediately certain if we have an actual search and rescue case for a missing person, or if the vessel simply drifted off the beach with a changing tide,” Hollis said. “Having the owner’s contact sticker on the boat can help us render necessary aid more quickly and effectively, or it can help us and our partners resolve the issue before beginning a costly air and sea search.”

The event is a collaborative effort of the U.S Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, state and local partners, kayak instructors and guides from Maine, and area retailers.

The New England region suffered the loss of 58 recreational boaters and paddlers in 2007. Eight kayak and 15 canoe fatalities accounted for 40 percent of the total.

Epic Men

photo by Doug Jones/Staff Photographer Portland Press Herald

From Peaks Island to Boston.

Two men are actually making the Boston Marathon the end of their adventure, after a kayak trip and bicycle ride.

By GLENN JORDAN, April 18, 2009

See the full story here