NOAA publishes new editions of Eastern Long Island Sound Nautical Charts

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From NOAA

Vessels transiting eastern Long Island Sound now have access to updated nautical charts that will make sailing safer and more efficient in this busy area.

The new editions of charts 13217 (Block Island) and 12372 (Long Island Sound, small craft) cover areas that are critical to navigation and which, for the most part, had not been surveyed since the 1960s.
They identify two dozen new dangers to navigation, and incorporate new shoreline for Faulkner Island, Goose Island, and the port of New London.
Maritime officials in the area welcomed the new editions.

“The updated hydrography depicted in the highly traveled area south of Fisher’s Island and Watch Hill as well as updated shoreline delineation of the adjacent land masses will significantly improve the margin of navigational safety for boaters and commercial shipping,” explained retired Coast Guard Capt. Chuck Beck, who is now transportation maritime manager for Connecticut’s Department of Transportation.

NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson acquired the new bathymetry, shown here,

for charts 12372 and 13217.

NOAA cartographers revised the charts using 70 square nautical miles of hydrographic data and new shoreline images acquired by the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson and NOAA aircraft.
Thomas Jefferson acquired the survey data while participating in a collaborative Long Island Sound seafloor mapping program with the states of Connecticut and New York, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In addition to providing information necessary to update nautical charts, the Thomas Jefferson data will give the state and federal government agencies valuable information for ocean planning.

"Ocean floors are amazingly dynamic, and we have to chart those changes to provide precise and accurate navigational data for today's maritime economy," explained Cmdr. Lawrence Krepp, who was commanding officer and the chief scientist of the Thomas Jefferson.
"Our data is used to update NOAA's nautical charts, but the hydrographic information can also support a number of other uses, ranging from fisheries management to alternative energy siting and ocean use planning."

• The new chart edition for 13217 is available September 26 as a “Print on Demand” chart and a NOAA Raster Navigational Chart (NOAA RNC®).
• Chart 12372 is a folio chart and therefore not available as POD.
• It is an RNC, also available on Sept 26.  
• Traditional paper charts will be available for purchase from chart vendors in October.
• The NOAA Electronic Navigational Chart (NOAA ENC®) will be available for download in November. The ENC cell for 13217 is US5RI11; the ENC cell for 12372 is US5CN20.

Intracoastal Waterway Route “Magenta Line” on NOAA Nautical Charts

 See more information on the history of the Intracoastal Waterway Route

From Federal Register from Rear Admiral Gerd Glang (Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Since 1912, a series of nautical charts of the Intracoastal Waterways, produced by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and, subsequently, NOAA, have depicted an Intracoastal Waterway Route, a “recommended route” known to recreational boaters and commercial mariners as “the magenta line.”
Coast Survey originally added the line to the charts to show the best route through the Intracoastal Waterway but it has not been consistently maintained since its last comprehensive update in 1936.
Aware of safety concerns, NOAA's Office of Coast Survey is removing the “recommended route” from NOAA nautical charts.

In 1938, Chart 830 explained the route depiction.

We are also issuing a Local Notice to Mariners, advising caution in using the line in charts where it has not been removed.
The Office of Coast Survey invites written comments about whether NOAA nautical charts should depict a recommended route through the Intracoastal Waterways.

 Intracoastal waterway in Miami

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Background 

The first known appearance of what is commonly referred to as the “magenta line” is in a set of eight charts (each titled “U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey INSIDE ROUTE”) included in a now-defunct U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey publication, Inside Route Pilot, 1st edition 1912.

As a sample, the chart edition from 1913

NOAA Historical Maps & Charts Collection

The U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey published seven editions through 1935, when their depiction of the Intracoastal Waterway Route underwent a major update.
As the agency pointed out in their 1935 annual report, “the existing [pre-1935] charts of this system of waterways have been based principally on surveys made from 60 to 80 years ago and, necessarily, are obsolete in many respects.”

Intracoastal Waterway nautical chart (1936 / 1:40,000)

The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey received substantially more appropriations from the Public Works Administration in 1935, which allowed the agency to update the Intracoastal Waterways Route on nautical charts.
“[W]hile the entire area has not been surveyed, by concentrating on the through route and its most important tributaries, sufficient field surveys have been made so the charts of the entire route can be produced,” the agency director reported.
At some point, the Inside Route Pilot was discontinued (the latest edition in the NOAA Central Library is from 1936) and USC&GS changed its charting system.
Beginning in 1936, the “Inside Route” series of charts were absorbed into the Intracoastal Waterway nautical charts.
From 1936 to the present, the Intracoastal Waterway Route has remained on Intracoastal Waterway charts, largely without changes or updates.

Chart 830, from 1938, shows the magenta line after it was updated by thousands of field workers hired with funds from the Great Depression era's massive Public Works program. 

Current Status of the Intracoastal Waterway Route on Nautical Charts

 courtesy of Water Way Guide

Numerous examples can be found where the charted Intracoastal Waterway Route (“magenta line”) passes on the wrong side of aids to navigation; crosses shoals, obstructions, shoreline; and falls outside of dredged channels, etc.
Coast Survey is taking several actions to address the problems.
First, Coast Survey is systematically removing the Intracoastal Waterway Route “magenta line” from new editions of affected nautical charts.
Second, Coast Survey is preparing chart notes for dozens of charts that are updated but not issued as new editions, and where the magenta line will not be deleted.
Coast Survey will revise the chart notes and publish the revised notes in the Local Notice to Mariners. The LNMs will warn: “The general location of the Waterway is indicated by a magenta line. Mariners are advised to follow the aids to navigation and avoid charted shoals and obstructions.”
Third, Coast Survey is updating the position of the magenta line on current charts (not scheduled for new editions) when authoritative reports or information indicate proper re-positioning.Show citation box
Fourth, Coast Survey is considering the options for future charts: should NOAA continue to depict the “magenta line,” and what should the “magenta line” designate?

The Thin Magenta Line (book from Evelyn Chisolm and Robert de Gast)

Public Comments

The director of NOAA's Office of Coast Survey invites interested parties to submit comments to assist Coast Survey as it decides whether to maintain a new or updated magenta line depicting an Intracoastal Waterway Route on Intracoastal Waterway nautical charts.
Comments may address whether recreational or commercial mariners need a magenta line depicting a specified Intracoastal Waterway Route, and whether that should be a federal government charting responsibility. Additionally, the director specifically seeks comments regarding:

1. How do you currently access the magenta line? On paper nautical charts, raster navigational charts, electronic navigational charts, commercial paper chart books, commercial charts, or other?
2. How do you use the “magenta line”? Do you consider it to be a general route, a specific trackline, or a reference line?
3. Given limited government resources, what are your ideas for how NOAA should develop and maintain a reinstated magenta line?
4. How do you use the Intracoastal Waterway? Recreationally or commercially? Locally or long distance?
5. What are your boat's length and draft?

Written, faxed, or emailed comments are due by midnight, December 26, 2013.

Email comments to CoastSurveyCommunications@noaa.gov, or fax to 301-713-4019.
Written comments may also be mailed to Lt.j.g. Leslie Flowers,
Office of Coast Survey, 1315 East-West Highway, #6312, Silver Spring MD 20906.
T : 301-713-2730, ext. 115
E : leslie.z.flowers@noaa.gov

Oracle Team USA wins America's Cup

ORACLE TEAM USA founder Larry Ellison jumped aboard his sleek and swift AC72 moments after the crew had crossed the finish line of Race 19 of the 34th America's Cup, a winner-take-all race.
"I wanted to let them know they'd just won the America's Cup," said Ellison.

"And that's what I told them; that's what I said."
The victory brought to a close the America's Cup in San Francisco.

The event ended on a high note with the captivating match between ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand, one that took 19 races in 19 days to complete.

From CNN

There are comebacks -- and then there are comebacks.
As the stars and stripes billowed in the San Francisco wind, Oracle Team USA produced one of the most monumental triumphs in sporting history.
For a team which had stared into the abyss, trailing 8-1 at one stage, Oracle did what nobody outside of its catamaran believed it could do.
Oracle, which defeated the Swiss team Alinghi three years ago, held onto its title when it seemed certain to suffer one of the most humiliating defeats the America's Cup had ever seen.

 Course in San Francisco

"It had everything," said Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill told Sky Sports.
"It was fantastic. We wouldn't have had it any other way. The guys showed so much heart."
Backed by billionaire Larry Ellison, who owns a 25% in Oracle, the team pulled off a fairytale ending which money just cannot buy.
The 69-year-old, whose personal fortune is estimated at $41 billion by Forbes Magazine, boarded the boat to take part in the celebrations following a titanic tussle.

 After staging an improbable comeback from 7 points behind and with no margin for error, ORACLE TEAM USA has forced a winner-take-all race tomorrow for the 34th America's Cup after sweeping both races today.
ORACLE TEAM USA won Race 17 by 27 seconds and Race 18 by 54 seconds and now stands even with Emirates Team New Zealand on the scoreboard with 8 points each.

Only twice before in the 162-year history of the America's Cup has there been a winner-take-all final race, in 1920 and 1983. In 1920 the defender won and in '83 the challenger won.

The Kiwis have been on match point since last Wednesday, Sept. 18, but now face the possibility of watching the defender stage perhaps the most historic comeback in sport. Already ORACLE TEAM USA has won 10 races, but has 8 points because of a penalty imposed by the International Jury.

The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport -- but rarely has sailing's pinnacle event ever been so dramatic.
It speaks volumes that even those who had barely heard of the event last week suddenly became hooked on a race which has been going since 1851.
And yet this contest should have been all over before Wednesday's fantastic finale with Emirates Team New Zealand having stormed into an 8-1 lead.
In fact, the challenger should have wrapped up the title with victory in race 13 only for it to be abandoned with its yacht just two minutes from the finish line because of a time limit rule.
When the race was rescheduled, Oracle Team USA picked up the win which kept its hopes of a historic comeback alive.
Only on two occasions has the destination of the trophy been unknown going into the final race of the competition.
Oracle has appeared determined to make life difficult for itself since the start of its defense.
The team was given a two point penalty and fined $250,000 after illegally placing lead pellets in their catamarans to gain extra weight.
The incident also cost three crew members their place on the team.

 start line

Racing in AC-72 catamarans, the first time these boats have been used in the competition, the crews expect to sail at around 40 knots or 74 kilometers an hour.
Excitement is never far away -- but then again, never is danger.
Only last March, British sailor Andrew Simpson died after being trapped under a catamaran in an America's Cup training session with Swedish team Artemis.
Last October, the Oracle team came perilously close to an accident of their own, while the Emirates boat has also had its own share of scary moments.
But this past fortnight has brought sailing to the forefront of world sport with Oracle's miraculous fightback set to go down as one of the greatest of all time.
With both teams needing to win the race to get its hands on the trophy, a tight fought affair was expected.

But despite a good start from Team New Zealand, it was the reigning champion which dominated.
Led by Britain's four time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie, who replaced John Kostecki as the team tactician with the score at 4-1, Oracle roared back in dramatic fashion.
Ainslie is the first Briton to experience victory at the event since Charlie Barr led the American team Columbia to three consecutive victories in 1899, 1901 and 1903.
The champagne was in full flow by the time Oracle made it back to dry land with fans in raptures at the side of the port.
"It really is all about the team," added Spithill. "On your own you're nothing, the team make you look great.
"I'm so proud of the boys. We were staring down the barrel at 8-1 but the boys didn't even flinch. It was a fantastic team effort."

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker was left inconsolable at the conclusion of the titanic tussle.
He added: "I'm incredibly proud of the team and what they've achieved but gutted we didn't get the last win we needed to take the cup back to New Zealand.
"It's hard to swallow."

Links :

• NYTimes : After Comeback for the Ages, a Last Dash for America’s Cup / Oracle Completes Voyage to History, Winning America’s Cup
• TheTelegraph : America’s Cup: how the yachts go faster than the wind

Island pops up after the earthquake in Pakistan

 On the Gwadar coastline, the quake created a small island about half a mile into the sea near an area called ‘Jhanda’.

The newly appearing island is said to have a mountainous terrain rising up to a hundred feet.

A large crowd was seen gathering at the site to see the new island.

The island appears to be about 200 metres long, 20 metres high and 100 metres wide.

Photo courtesy Syed Ali Shah

From Dawn

The powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Balochistan and Sindh (southwestern Pakistan) on Tuesday was followed by the emergence of an island off the coast of Gwadar.

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“The island popped up soon after the earthquake. Our staff stationed in Gwadar has reported that the island is about one and a half kilometres away from the coastline,” Dr Asif Inam, the Principal Scientific Officer of the National Institute of Oceanography, said.

SECURITE
251040 UTC SEP 2013
NAVAREA NINE (.) 253 (.) ARABIAN SEA (.) PAKISTAN (.)
GWADAR WEST BAY (.) CHARTS PAK 27, 33, 41, 57 (INT 751),
BA 38 AND 707(.)
2.  UPDATE ON NEWLY EMERGED ISLET IN GWADAR WEST BAY ARE
AS UNDER:
POSITION  : 25-10N 062-16E
DIMENSIONS: 50X20X10 METERS 
   3.  SHALLOW DEPTHS EXPECTED IN VICINITY(.)
4.  MARINERS AND FISHERMEN CAUTIONED.
5.  CANCEL NAVAREA NINE 250 OF 2013. 
The Pakistani HO has issued a radio nav warning
making mariners aware of shallow depths and of the islet itself.

“The island appears to be about 200 metres long, 20 metres high and 100 metres wide. But all this information needs to be verified scientifically. Detailed information will be available tomorrow when the staff visit the site and collect samples,” he added.

An NIO team from Karachi will also visit the site this week.

photo Reuters (video)

Aerial view of the new island off the southern coast of Pakistan in the Arabian Sea.
Boaters are anchored off the island at upper right. 
Credit: National Institute of Oceanography

According to scientists, the Makran coastal belt is reported to have extensive reserves of frozen methane that exist in the form of gas hydrates (crystalline water-based solids physically resembling ice, formed under conditions of relatively high pressures and low temperatures) hundreds of metres below the sea floor.
And whenever this highly pressurised gas finds a weak space to release some of its energy, a dome-like structure (island) is created within the waters or it emerges on the sea surface.

“The space to release energy could be formed due to tectonic movements, creating some fractures and fissures in the strata. Sometimes, the structures do not come out of the water and so go unnoticed,” Dr Inam said.

Explaining the topography of the area, Dr Inam said that it was an active seismic region where three tectonic plates — Indian, Eurasian and Arabian — were converging.
“The area is required to be mapped in detail to ascertain the potentially hazardous parts. Besides, the area could be explored to overcome the energy crisis.”

According to Dr Inam, the analysis of previously tested gas samples taken from the water column of the Malan island showed that it contained methane, ethane, propane and butane.

All data pointed to the presence of microbiologically generated bacterial methane, excluding thermogenic gas.

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It’s the third time in 15 years that such a phenomenon has occurred along the Balochistan coast. Earlier, islands emerged in 1999 and in 2011 at a distance of two kilometres from the Makran coast near the point where the Hingol River drains into the sea.

A similar island had appeared in Hangal, the coastal area of Lasbela, three years ago.

The island was there for 4 - 5 months and then it went back into the sea.

A new island formed by a mud volcano emerged offshore of Balochistan, Pakistan on November 26, 2010, and the same spot about a year before it emerged.

Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory

Both islands emerged without an earthquake and collapsed due to strong currents and winds.
The same area witnessed an island’s emergence in 1945, following an earthquake.

Links :

• CNN : Pakistan quake kills more than 200 people; island appears
• National GeoGraphic : "Gooey" New Mud Volcano Erupts From Arabian Sea
• GeoGarage blog : Birth of an island / New island rises in the Red Sea

Ocean eddies act like watery black holes, new research shows

Animation of the Agulhas Rings, ocean eddies of the black hole type.

From HuffingtonPost

Astronomers may peer deep into the cosmos to study mysterious black holes, but would you believe there are "black holes" right here on Earth?
Well, almost.
A new study by scientists at the Swiss university ETH Zurich and the University of Miami shows that, mathematically speaking, large ocean eddies behave much like black holes.
The watery vortices break off from currents and have their own "coherent" boundaries, as black holes do.
Also like black holes, they swallow anything that gets too close and allow nothing to escape.
"The photon spheres around black holes have the property that anything (except light) is sucked into the black hole through them," study co-author Dr. George Haller, professor of non-linear dynamics at ETH Zurich, told The Huffington Post in an email. "
Similarly, the eddy boundaries we find have the property that anything that floats on the ocean surface (except water) is sucked into the eddy through them."
The eddies can last a year or two, Haller said, though most peter out after a few months.

 Mathematically speaking, ocean eddies are counterparts to the black holes in space.

(Illustration: G. Haller / ETH Zurich)

 
Haller and Dr. Francisco Beron-Vera, a professor of oceanography at the University of Miami, developed a model for identifying the eddies' boundaries using the same mathematics used to reveal black holes' photon sphere boundaries.
Using satellite observations made over the course of three months, they used the model to locate seven "black hole" eddies with diameters of 200-300 kilometers.
A fascinating finding, for sure.
But there's a real-world benefit to finding black hole-like eddies within the oceans.

The mild winters experienced in Northern Europe are thanks to the Gulf Stream, which makes up part of those ocean currents spanning the globe that impact on the climate.

However, our climate is also influenced by huge eddies of over 150 kilometres in diameter that rotate and drift across the ocean. 

Their number is reportedly on the rise in the Southern Ocean, increasing the northward transport of warm and salty water.

Intriguingly, this could moderate the negative impact of melting sea ice in a warming climate.

"Fully capturing the effects of coherent oceanic eddies is a major impetus behind efforts at several climate modeling centers around the world," Dr. Robert Hallberg, an oceanographer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's geophysical fluid dynamics laboratory, told The Huffington Post in an email.
The eddies can transport warm, salty water and nutrients far north, acting to moderate the effects of climate change by promoting large-scale mixing in the ocean.
They help counteract the effects of melting sea ice that introduces cold water with low salinity into the oceans, disrupting global circulation.
Identifying eddies may also help scientists predict the movement of polluted water, such as that resulting from an oil spill.
The study was published in the September issue of the Journal of Fluid Mechanics.