Used to be that a gallon of diesel cost less than a gallon of gasoline. Last summer the two were about equal price-wise. Since then, a gallon of diesel has become 16% more expensive and poised to go higher still. Here’s what NYTimes has to say. Continue reading
“A SMALL BOAT IS LIKELY TO REMAIN A TERRORIST WEAPON OF CHOICE…(4/08)
…given its low cost and its ease in arming and deploying”…according to a recent federal intelligence(?) assessment.
That’s why the Bush administration is now trying to enlist the country’s 80 million recreational boaters to help reduce the chances that a small boat could be used to deliver a nuclear or radiological bomb somewhere along the country’s 95,000 miles of coastline and inland waterways. The Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is arming harbor patrols with portable radiological and nuclear-detection equipment, starting here in the Puget Sound area. Continue reading
SEA LEVELS IN PUGET SOUND LIKELY TO RISE HALF A FOOT BY MID-CENTRY (1/08)
Oh, oh– check your lines. A worst-case scenario suggest sea levels in Puget Sound could rise more than 4 feet by 2100. This would require a confluence of runaway greenhouse gas emissions…accelerated melting of glaciers on Greenland and Antarctica…and an exaggerated climate response to rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
More probable is a sea-level rise of 14 inches in Puget Sound by the start of the next century…still enough to have profound impacts– so says a study by the world’s top climate scientists and policy experts. The group declared global warming “unequivocal” and declared there’s little doubt carbon dioxide and other emissions from cars and industries are largely to blame. “We tried to look at factors that are important locally,” said Philip Mote, research scientist at U of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group.”
Global sea levels are expected to rise between 7 inches and 2 feet by the end of the century, depending largely on the rate that greenhouse gases are pumped into the atmosphere. Sea levels could climb even more if the vast amounts of ice on Greenland and Antarctica melt more rapidly than expected. Another major contributor– water expanding as it warms. But even if all greenhouse-gas emissions were shut off tomorrow, the IPCC says that our oceans will continue warming and expanding for decades. (from article by Sandi Doughton /Seattle Times science reporter. More info: cses.washington.edu/cig).
WHAT’S AT THE END OF YOUR RAINBOW? (1/08)
When it comes to true “pots of gold”, there isn’t a GB 32 owner who doesn’t smile knowingly. And when the rainbows are aligned, confirmation is before your very eyes. Donald Williams saw it last summer…while moored at Fort Flagler State Park…and grabbed his camera in time to come up with living proof. Take a look! PS: Be sure to look closely, that’s not just one rainbow! (And if you have any photos this spectacular…be sure to send them to us).
GETTING THROUGH THE LOCKS! (1/08)
No, it’s not true. Far as we know they are NOT going to rebuild Seattle’s Hiram Chittenden Locks connecting Puget Sound with the city’s inland lakes and waterways. But oh, boy– if they ever did, wouldn’t this be the way to go! Talk about attracting tourists…Take a look! Continue reading
DREAMS DO COME TRUE! (7/07)
Perhaps you remember– sometime about this time last year we ran a story about a young man from San Francisco who grew up in Hong Kong and, as a young boy, enjoyed the very rare privilege of being the first passenger on GBs his father, as production manager at the Hong Kong yard, was responsible for. Well, here’s a follow-up note from our friend Shing Kong, still in the Bay area, but with some proud news to share. Take a look! Continue reading
DID YOU HAVE THIS MUCH FUN ON NEW YEAR’S EVE? (1/07)
Here are just a few photos of what looks like one fabulous year-end cruise (once again) led by Brian Pemberton’s NW Explorations team (once again) to Princess Louisa Inlet (once again!). Photos courtesy of PSGBOA member Drew Clark. Looks like they had a bit of everything…wind, snow, sun, holiday, fun, and… Orcas! Continue reading