Cargo Ships Traverse the World’s Oceans

A mesmerizing digital rendition of global shipping routes--a collaboration between data visualization firm Kiln and University College London's Energy Institute--that shows the movement of thousands of commercial vessels across the world's oceans throughout 2012 based on hundreds of millions of individually recorded positions.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/cargo-ship-interactive-map/

Come Early Morning

Sunrise over Pacific Shores Center as viewed from Westpoint Harbor Marina.

Another Westpoint Harbor Sunset

Westpoint Harbor Marina at Sunset, January 14, 2014

Approaching Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog on our Sept 1st return to San Francisco Bay.

Emirates Team New Zealand Wins Louis Vuitton Cup

Spinnaker Pole Maintenance

Several years and many miles have passed since our carbon fiber spinnaker poles last received professional attention to remove any corrosion and receive a fresh protective coating. This time my captain has decided to perform the necessary maintenance himself, with a little help from his family.

We carefully sanded the poles before transporting them to a garage for spraying.

Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show

As west-coasters do, today I attended my first Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show. It's the US west's largest all-sail boat show. The show is held annually each April (April 11-14 this year) in Oakland's Jack London Square, which is on the waterfront along the east-side of San Francisco Bay. We were pleased to find many of our boat system's west coast vendors.

Westpoint Harbor Winter

The harbor is getting full, including many new boats wintering in the mild Redwood City climate.

Happy Holidays!

My holiday tradition of baking several types of cookies continued despite having to mix and bake on the boat (verses a friend's house). I did select easier recipes this year and spread the baking over 3-days. It was the hand mixing--me with a large wooden spoon--that proved to be the toughest part, but it was good physical therapy for my recently healed fractured wrist. The best part is next, sharing the calories with other people

Thanksgiving Sunset

Sunset glow in Westpoint Harbor Marina on Thanksgiving evening.

Morning Clouds

South Beach Harbor Weekend

San Francisco Bay Sailing

Approaching San Francisco (AT&T Park to left)

Entering South Beach Harbor Marina

Shuttle Endeavour Flyover

Today Space Shuttle Endeavour made a historic (first and last) flyover in the San Francisco Bay Area. My home afloat, S/V Event Horizon, was on the flight path as Endeavour flew south from San Francisco along the East Bay towards Moffett Field and NASA Ames, where so much of the important space shuttle work was performed, before continuing on to its retirement home in Los Angeles. 

Endeavour, known as the baby shuttle, was the last one built. She flew 25 times, mostly to supply the International Space Station, and spent 299 days in space logging 123 million miles.

The shuttle, shown above as it flew over Westpoint Harbor this morning, was fixed atop a special Boeing 747 jet.

America's Cup World Series 2012-2013

The AC World Series has officially begun its second year of pre-Cup promotion with professional one-design 45-ft catamaran racing in San Francisco Bay. The world's best sailors compete for points in a mix of 35-minute fleet racing and 15-minute two-boat match races. 

The August 21-26 event is designed to inform, thrill and engage everyone--not just sailors. Based on my viewing of Tuesday's practice, the event will keep its promise to impress with fast and furious racing, all easily viewed from San Francisco's northeast shoreline (Fort Mason to Crissy Field). For maximum fun, visit the event tents at Marina Green, or spring for a ticket to sit in center-stage bleacher seats.

The AC45 racing continues around the globe through May 2013, including a return to San Francisco Bay October 4-7, 2012.

Taking the Long Way Home

Kettle family sailing outside San Francisco Bay, with a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

SF Bay Bridge Approach

Captain Kettle on the bow of S/V Event Horizon on approach to San Francisco's Bay Bridge.

Slough SUPing

I'm gradually exploring my new neighborhood, the Westpoint Slough, by standup paddleboard. SUPing around quietly allows me to closely observe many of my new neighbors, including numerous shorebirds and waterfowl, as well as harbor seals.

SF Bay Status Granted

Event Horizon's crew is very happy and honored to be granted official live-aboard status at Westpoint Harbor Marina in Redwood City!

Westpoint Harbor is located in South San Francisco Bay, and surrounded by Greco Island to the north and east (part of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge), Cargill salt-farming operations to the south, and Pacific Shores office park to the west.

Baltic 51 “DEFIANCE”

Event Horizon's sister ship "Defiance" is currently also making San Francisco Bay home.

Ready to Explore SF Bay

Rigging the repaired Spectra main sail. 

It took longer than expected to get our sails repaired because the sail lofts in the SF Bay area are not open on Saturdays, which is when we were available to meet.

Finally, S/V Event Horizon is prepared to move about the bay.

Sea Life Sighting -- Jellyfish

Today this large colorful jellyfish was swimming along the dock.

California Live A-Boards

Unlike most of the world, California does not freely allow people to live on their boats. In fact, many marinas don't allow liveaboards and the facilities that offer residency generally have a long waiting list. Last year--before we committed to moving to CA--we paid a considerable sum just to get on an estimated 10-year waiting list, hoping the poor economy might help our position.

Typically live-a-board status is limited to 10% of berths. And that number is split between the different sized boats. Upon visiting many popular CA live-aboard marinas, we were convinced the percentage was higher. Apparently these unofficial liveaboards are known as "sneak a-boards”, a situation tolerated by some dockmasters. Sneakaboards aren't all trying to dodge the surcharge for living aboard; they prefer a floating lifestyle.

Word on the dock is that government marinas (common in CA) by law can only allow 10%, while private marinas can allow slightly more yet we have always been quoted the same percentage. The limited full-time status is due to the requirements for water and sewer as defined by California environmental laws. Overall, liveaboard status is strictly monitored and must be approved by the harbormaster.

New to San Francisco Bay, S/V Event Horizon and crew are considered transients. Transient status, at our current marina, will allow us to live afloat for the next 3-months. In the meantime we are on multiple marina waiting lists requesting official live-a-board status, and exploring our surrounding housing options.

Triathletes in Westpoint Harbor

It was an entertaining morning as we watched hundreds of triathletes swim past our boat. The swimmers finished their 500-meter swim at the guest dock and climbed ashore to proceed with the biking and running legs of the 8th Annual Stanford “Treeathlon”.

Tall Ships at Port of Redwood City

Two Washington-state based tall ships, the Hawaiian Chieftain (left) and the Lady Washington (right), are visiting our neighboring marina, the Port of Redwood City.

S/V Event Horizon Position Update

2/23/2012 @ 12:00 AM(UTC)
37°49.13'N 122°28.29'W
Course 083T Speed 4.5kts
Wind 230T @ 21.5kts

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S/V Event Horizon Position Update

2/22/2012 @ 12:00 AM(UTC)
36°57.48'N 122°00.14'W
Course 193T Speed 4.0kts
Wind 252T @ 6.6kts

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S/V Event Horizon Position Update

2/21/2012 @ 12:00 AM(UTC)
35°08.79'N 121°11.51'W
Course 329T Speed 6.3kts
Wind 322T @ 15.1kts

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S/V Event Horizon Position Update

2/19/2012 @ 11:59 PM(UTC)
34°24.05'N 120°08.14'W
Course 254T Speed 6.9kts
Wind 317T @ 29.2kts

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S/V Event Horizon Position Update

2/12/2012 @ 12:00 AM(UTC)
33°10.05'N 117°42.68'W
Course 332T Speed 7.1kts
Wind 268T @ 15.8kts

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S/V Event Horizon Position Update

2/9/2012 @ 12:00 PM(UTC)
30°18.16'N 116°37.66'W
Course 355T Speed 6.4kts
Wind 334T @ 6.2kts

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S/V Event Horizon Position Update

2/8/2012 @ 12:00 PM(UTC)
28°18.81'N 115°50.29'W
Course 340T Speed 6.2kts
Wind 264T @ 10.5kts

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