Grouchy Turtle

Free trip on the Turtle…and free prints of my photos!

Captain Chris — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:02:24 +0000

SUDS, Soldiers Undertaking Disabled SCUBA, will be auctioning off a day on the Grouchy Turtle for 6 people, as well as over 30 matted prints of my photos, at the Miami Boat Show. If you’re not in the Miami area, raffle tickets can also be purchased online.

More info about SUDS and the fund raiser

South Florida Divers, Inc. (SFDI), a local South Florida dive club, will be hosting a fundraiser to benefit SUDS, Soldiers Undertaking Disabled SCUBA, at the Miami International Boat Show. The SUDS program is designed to help improve the lives of severely injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. By training the warriors in a challenging and rewarding activity such as SCUBA, it can help facilitate the rehabilitation process and promote mobility unlike any other sport. SUDS is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.

Throughout the entire show, SFDI will be at Booth #1926 in the Dive and Travel Harbor displaying items available for a silent auction and raffle. All items have been generously donated to SFDI for this event. Examples of items include; SCUBA gear, live-aboard vacation packages, Fishing charters, marine artwork, SCUBA training, and many more.

The Boat Show is from February 16-20 and SFDI will have a special event the evening of Saturday the 18^that the Miami Convention Center, 6pm, room B118. Saturday after the show, SFDI will be hosting a reception with videos about SUDS, speakers, live entertainment, food and drinks. This is an open event that anyone may attend, a minimum donation is recommended. Many of the silent auctions and raffles will come to a close that evening and winners will be announced. Attendees of the reception will be eligible for many door prizes.

Last year, nearly $13,000 was raised during this event.

For more information join us on Facebook and www.SUDSFundraising.com, or contact Justin Schnute, (954)643-6613, info@sudsfundraising.com

Just Another Day in the Virgins

Captain Chris — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:07:50 +0000

The beach at The Buccaneer

The beach at Green Cay

Day 1 in Saint Croix

Captain Chris — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:35:50 +0000

Small craft advisory? I've rowed out to the Turtle at anchor in worse conditions than this!

Yet another "So...it's not a Corona" ad.

St. Petersburg anchoring meeting on 1/24

Captain Chris — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:01:24 +0000

From BoatU.S.

Heads-up! As a part of the state’s mooring and anchoring pilot program, the City of St. Petersburg will be allowed to develop an ordinance to limit anchoring.

On Tuesday, January 24th, the city is hosting a meeting to discuss their proposed anchoring restrictions. While the city has not published any specific proposals to review, we strongly encourage all area cruisers to participate in this meeting to ensure boaters’ concerns are heard.

When: Tuesday, January 24th, 6:00pm
Where: Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to St. Petersburg Municipal Marina at 727-893-7329 or via email at marina@stpete.org

To get more information from Florida Wildlife Commission on the pilot mooring program: http://myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-mooring/

You can see information regarding the first meeting in October at: http://www.stpete.org/marina/waterfront_summit.asp

For more background information on anchoring laws in Florida see the BoatU.S. information sheet: www.boatus.com/gov/pdf/GA005FLAnchoringPaper2011.pdf

Please plan on attending, bring a friend, and share this information with others!

Thank you for being a BoatU.S. Member,

Margaret Podlich
President
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2878 x8363
BoatUS.com/Gov

Looks like I picked the right time!

Captain Chris — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:10:10 +0000

On the Rocks

Captain Chris — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:54:31 +0000

In case you were wondering. Here’s why it’s a great idea to leave your boat unattended, on the hook, for an extended period of time. Even better when you have someone check up on it very infrequently, and only during fair weather. This is also doesn’t exactly help the case of responsible boaters, who are in a constant fight for their anchoring rights in this state.

TWIC Cards No Longer Required!

Captain Chris — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:45:18 +0000

Just got this one from NACO. Guess the government finally realized the operators of smaller vessels aren’t a risk to national security.

NACO has worked diligently on this issue from the very beginning explaining this was an unnecessary financial burden and would not provide additional security. We proudly announce some good news for you. Sometimes it takes time to make a difference, but we are tenacious and continue to work for you!

The Coast Guard has released a Policy Letter which modified the requirement that all mariners obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in order to be issued a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

The Coast Guard is allowing mariners without a valid TWIC who operate on board vessels that do not have a security plan to acquire and renew a MMC. Specifically this policy will apply to mariners who are inactive or not operating under the authority of their credential, as well as those who serve on vessels that are not required to have a vessel security plan. These vessels include:

1.      Uninspected passenger vessels of less than 100 gross register tons

2.      Vessels inspected under subchapter T of Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations, except those on international voyages

3.      Towing vessels not involved in towing barges inspected under 46 CFR subchapters D, I or O

4.      Towing vessels involved in fleeting, docking, or ship assist

Mariners on the vessels described above will be permitted to renew an existing credential without submitting proof of hold a valid TWIC. The coast guard will implement policies, which will enable these mariners to acquire a MMC without having to make two trips to a TWIC enrollment center.

Name Change

Captain Chris — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:22:00 +0000

grunzster.com is changing to grouchyturtle.com

The old name and email will forward to the new site, and new email, until the domain expires.

At that point grunzster.com will walk the plank!

This post is censored!

Captain Chris — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:53:54 +0000

There’s not really a post here.

If this ridiculous new bill goes through, though, depending on what I post, it really could have been censored. And I could be sitting in jail right now.

Fight censorship and get more info at americancensorship.org.

Attention guests

Captain Chris — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:29:04 +0000

It has come to my attention that many of you seem to like white wine. As of now the Turtle’s fridge is overflowing. If it’s wine you want to drink, you’re just going to have to bring a nice bottle of merlot, or settle for one of the whites that’s already in the fridge. If the situation gets any worse, there will be no room for the captain to put the juice, to mix his rum with! The last group of you also apparently liked bad beer. If it’s shitty beer you want, you’re just going to have to settle for the PBR that’s already stinking up the boat. Otherwise we won’t be taking any donations below the level of Sam, Red Stripe, or Dos Equis Amber. For the Sam we will accept any of the Samuel Adams as well as Samuel Jackson.

Thank you, the crew of the Grouchy Turtle