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Cheers - Bryan
New Boat 4 Sled
- Thread starter sleddog
- Start date
A second 66' x ~188 ton steel and cement dock from the Japanese tsunami has landed, this one on the Olympic Peninsula of WA, near La Push.
http://thedailyworld.com/sections/news/local/tsunami-debris-dock-makes-landfall-near-la-push.html
Flotsam and jetsam has been floating across the N. Pacific for centuries. Only recently has it become hazardous for sailors. An unscientific survey has 50% of yachts crossing to/from Hawaii in the last 10 years hitting or snagging something significant, at least enough to slow the boat.
ALASKA EAGLE, returning from Transpac in 2011, got so much netting in their prop they couldn't cut it away and had to tow it at reduced speed 1,000 miles to SF. PEGASUS got stuck in a net island. This past August, the SC-50 INCANTATION hit a submerged piling which took a chunk out of the bow before hanging up on the keel. Even on the Cal 40 ILLUSION, not an underbody that would normally snag things, we had to regularly back down, and once sent Stan swimming to clear the rudder.
Back when Bill Lee was building Santa Cruz 50's and 70's at the chicken coop, inspection windows or endoscopes to view the keel, prop, and rudder were standard operation. PYEWACKET and ORIENT EXPRESS went a step further and installed remote cameras over the windows, viewable at the nav station. Windows were preferred over fragile endoscopes, and could be used at night with a flashlite.
In my mind, if you are competitively racing to Hawaii, having windows is a speed enhancer, worth the cost and trouble. Even in coastal racing, there is so much kelp that windows may be a good idea.
http://thedailyworld.com/sections/news/local/tsunami-debris-dock-makes-landfall-near-la-push.html
Flotsam and jetsam has been floating across the N. Pacific for centuries. Only recently has it become hazardous for sailors. An unscientific survey has 50% of yachts crossing to/from Hawaii in the last 10 years hitting or snagging something significant, at least enough to slow the boat.
ALASKA EAGLE, returning from Transpac in 2011, got so much netting in their prop they couldn't cut it away and had to tow it at reduced speed 1,000 miles to SF. PEGASUS got stuck in a net island. This past August, the SC-50 INCANTATION hit a submerged piling which took a chunk out of the bow before hanging up on the keel. Even on the Cal 40 ILLUSION, not an underbody that would normally snag things, we had to regularly back down, and once sent Stan swimming to clear the rudder.
Back when Bill Lee was building Santa Cruz 50's and 70's at the chicken coop, inspection windows or endoscopes to view the keel, prop, and rudder were standard operation. PYEWACKET and ORIENT EXPRESS went a step further and installed remote cameras over the windows, viewable at the nav station. Windows were preferred over fragile endoscopes, and could be used at night with a flashlite.
In my mind, if you are competitively racing to Hawaii, having windows is a speed enhancer, worth the cost and trouble. Even in coastal racing, there is so much kelp that windows may be a good idea.
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SLEDCAT, on port jibe, is currently averaging 22.2 knots in 28 knots of wind from the NW. Our position on Christmas Eve will be about 400 miles south of the S. Island of New Zealand, with Auckland Islands to the north, distance about 100 miles. Not much out here but wind, albatross, and frothy seas.
Bernard Stamm on CHEMINEES POUJOULAT tried to take refuge yesterday at Auckland Island to repair his broken hydrogenerators and coffee grinder winch. But got blown out of a tenuous anchorage by a 40 knot gust, and is now headed to Stewart Island, 200 miles north. Stamm hasn't had much luck in the Vendee Globe. His previous boat was blown ashore at Kerguelen Island when he anchored there for repairs in the '08-'09 Vendee Globe.
Excitement looms aboard SLEDCAT for Christmas Day. We'll be traversing the northern quadrant of an intense low. The GRIB Files show 42 knots of wind for a large area directly ahead. We're gonna get to see how strong and fast my virtual SLEDCAT really is. And can we carry a spinnaker in that much breeze? There's nothing in the rules that mention high wind or extreme boat speeds. We'll be hanging on, one hand on the virtual tiller and one hand clutching the mug of egg nog and brandy.
Merry Christmas, All.
Bernard Stamm on CHEMINEES POUJOULAT tried to take refuge yesterday at Auckland Island to repair his broken hydrogenerators and coffee grinder winch. But got blown out of a tenuous anchorage by a 40 knot gust, and is now headed to Stewart Island, 200 miles north. Stamm hasn't had much luck in the Vendee Globe. His previous boat was blown ashore at Kerguelen Island when he anchored there for repairs in the '08-'09 Vendee Globe.
Excitement looms aboard SLEDCAT for Christmas Day. We'll be traversing the northern quadrant of an intense low. The GRIB Files show 42 knots of wind for a large area directly ahead. We're gonna get to see how strong and fast my virtual SLEDCAT really is. And can we carry a spinnaker in that much breeze? There's nothing in the rules that mention high wind or extreme boat speeds. We'll be hanging on, one hand on the virtual tiller and one hand clutching the mug of egg nog and brandy.
Merry Christmas, All.
Happy New Year, All.
"For the want of a nail.."
In the Vendee Globe, Bernard Stamm's water generators ripped off the back of his boat, and he was running out of electrons to power the auto-pilot.
The Vendee Globe Race news now reverberates with the disqualification of Bernard Stamm by an International Jury. The IJ ruled that Stamm accepted outside assistance while tying astern of a Russian research ship at Auckland Island. Stamm's anchor was dragging in 40 knot winds, and CHEMINEES POUJOULAT was dragging down onto the Russian ship, which had apparently anchored astern and nearby.
The International Jury's decision was DSQ. Many, including myself, are shocked. The race rules about "mooring" are unclear, depending on whether French or English is translated. Stamm did not ask, and was surprised to find a Russian crewman had come aboard to begin pulling the anchor. In the situation to save his boat, with language differences, Stamm did not immediately ask the Russian seaman to leave CHEMINEES POUJOULAT. The Russian's RIB had reportedly gone back to its mothership.
Props to Stamm for saving his boat, and for making full disclosure of the circumstances.
It is unclear if an appeal will be launched to reinstate Stamm and CHEMINEES POUJOULAT. Apparently Stamm's competitors in the Vendee Globe would like to see him re-instated, maybe with some penalty other than complete termination.
In another fascinating, complex, and developing story, the Shell drilling rig KULLUK has broken loose from its tug M/V AIVIQ and washed ashore on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska. Apparently the drilling rig, with 18 crew, was put to sea in the face of predicted extreme weather. Protected anchorages were reportedly bypassed. Not good result when the 360 foot, $200 million, icebreaking tug AIVIQ lost all four engines, reportedly due to "bad fuel."
The CG ship ALEX HALEY attempted to take the AIVIQ and KULLUK in tow. The towline snapped, wrapping in one of the HALEY's props, and she had to return to port for repairs. Shell's Alaska drilling plans and contingencies are not looking good at the moment. Can they pull the the KULLUK off the rocks? There's more than 150,000 gallons of fuel aboard.
http://gcaptain.com/alaskan-storm-claims-victory/
"For the want of a nail.."
In the Vendee Globe, Bernard Stamm's water generators ripped off the back of his boat, and he was running out of electrons to power the auto-pilot.
The Vendee Globe Race news now reverberates with the disqualification of Bernard Stamm by an International Jury. The IJ ruled that Stamm accepted outside assistance while tying astern of a Russian research ship at Auckland Island. Stamm's anchor was dragging in 40 knot winds, and CHEMINEES POUJOULAT was dragging down onto the Russian ship, which had apparently anchored astern and nearby.
The International Jury's decision was DSQ. Many, including myself, are shocked. The race rules about "mooring" are unclear, depending on whether French or English is translated. Stamm did not ask, and was surprised to find a Russian crewman had come aboard to begin pulling the anchor. In the situation to save his boat, with language differences, Stamm did not immediately ask the Russian seaman to leave CHEMINEES POUJOULAT. The Russian's RIB had reportedly gone back to its mothership.
Props to Stamm for saving his boat, and for making full disclosure of the circumstances.
It is unclear if an appeal will be launched to reinstate Stamm and CHEMINEES POUJOULAT. Apparently Stamm's competitors in the Vendee Globe would like to see him re-instated, maybe with some penalty other than complete termination.
In another fascinating, complex, and developing story, the Shell drilling rig KULLUK has broken loose from its tug M/V AIVIQ and washed ashore on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska. Apparently the drilling rig, with 18 crew, was put to sea in the face of predicted extreme weather. Protected anchorages were reportedly bypassed. Not good result when the 360 foot, $200 million, icebreaking tug AIVIQ lost all four engines, reportedly due to "bad fuel."
The CG ship ALEX HALEY attempted to take the AIVIQ and KULLUK in tow. The towline snapped, wrapping in one of the HALEY's props, and she had to return to port for repairs. Shell's Alaska drilling plans and contingencies are not looking good at the moment. Can they pull the the KULLUK off the rocks? There's more than 150,000 gallons of fuel aboard.
http://gcaptain.com/alaskan-storm-claims-victory/
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PHRF Cert for 3-Bridge Requirement
I don't understand this "don't need a PHRF Cert for the 3-Bridge" discussion. A PHRF or MPHRF Certificate has always been required. The SSS has allowed the previous year's Certificate to be used since getting one for the current year can be a problem - and certain One-Design Fleets have been admitted. I'd like clarification from the Board about this. If a Certificate (PHRF or MPHRF) is not required who is going to rate one-off boats? -- Pat
I don't understand this "don't need a PHRF Cert for the 3-Bridge" discussion. A PHRF or MPHRF Certificate has always been required. The SSS has allowed the previous year's Certificate to be used since getting one for the current year can be a problem - and certain One-Design Fleets have been admitted. I'd like clarification from the Board about this. If a Certificate (PHRF or MPHRF) is not required who is going to rate one-off boats? -- Pat
BobJ
Alerion 38 "Surprise!"
The one-offs are going to be a problem, as are any boats which don't conform to their prior year certificates. Personally I'm planning on flying a gollywobbler.
EDIT:
I e-mailed a board member about this and did a little research. The "one race without a certificate" rule was also in effect last year but it's only for monohulls (sorry Sled!). There's a presumption that if you had a prior certificate you will race in compliance with it (no gollywobbler). Perhaps last year there were no one-offs?
EDIT:
I e-mailed a board member about this and did a little research. The "one race without a certificate" rule was also in effect last year but it's only for monohulls (sorry Sled!). There's a presumption that if you had a prior certificate you will race in compliance with it (no gollywobbler). Perhaps last year there were no one-offs?
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Critter
Desert Ratfox
Pat, the board has taken a couple of small steps toward loosening the cert requirements. Two years ago we exempted one-designs, and last year we allowed boats to do any one race without a cert. (As Bob stated, this applies only to monohulls. None of us was brave enough to rate a multihull, and anyway BAMA can issue a provisional rating fairly quickly.)
In practical terms, the one-race exemption mostly reinstates the use of the previous year's cert for the Three Bridge (which was eliminated in 2011 because Laura was able to process renewals quickly). But I did get to dream up a couple of ratings. It was kinda fun, but those boats were DNS anyway.
Max
In practical terms, the one-race exemption mostly reinstates the use of the previous year's cert for the Three Bridge (which was eliminated in 2011 because Laura was able to process renewals quickly). But I did get to dream up a couple of ratings. It was kinda fun, but those boats were DNS anyway.
Max
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Slippery Slope
Max, I think this is a very slippery slope. I think PHRF Ratings are best left up to the NCPHRF Committee - period! The 3-Bridge is an established race and the NOR goes out in plenty of time. I don't see any reason for the SSS Board to create a "Certificate" for someone who decides at the last minute to race. This has been my "set in stone" opinion as Race Chair for the SCC, SYC, SSS, and when I was SSS Commodore. -- Pat
Max, I think this is a very slippery slope. I think PHRF Ratings are best left up to the NCPHRF Committee - period! The 3-Bridge is an established race and the NOR goes out in plenty of time. I don't see any reason for the SSS Board to create a "Certificate" for someone who decides at the last minute to race. This has been my "set in stone" opinion as Race Chair for the SCC, SYC, SSS, and when I was SSS Commodore. -- Pat
Jan.5, 2013
Clear and crisp these last five mornings, with low temps of 32-34, putting frost on WILDFLOWER's deck. It's been good green flash weather, and I've caught three in three consecutive sunrises, looking east towards Gabilan Peak, near Hollister.
Good to see CW and JG of STINKEYE at the New Year's Eve Santa Cruz "Do-It-Yourself" Parade, downtown on Pacific Ave. This unpermitted parade, with cops ready to intercede, is true SSS "Bring What You Got" spirit. How are they gonna bust grannys with peace signs, costumed women and children, clowns on stilts, a drum circle, all marching behind a soulful bagpiper?
I got WILDFLOWER safety inspected yesterday by a knowledgeable member of the SF Bay Coast Guard Auxiliary. My pre-inspection and safety sticker should go a long way to avoiding inopportune boardings by the Coasties, of which I have endured many over the years.
The three most memorable were the Coasties lowering a German Shepard from a helo overhead while WILDFLOWER was anchored at Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Is. The dog spun in circles on the wire, just above the mast, and was retracted without touching down on our deck. What the woof?
A second began when a young, corn fed, 220# Coastie, wearing his PFD, VHF, and weapon, got thoroughly stuck in WILDFLOWER's companionway hatch. The only way to get him unstuck was to (with his permission) plant my foot on his back and give a hard push, whence he fell in a heap onto the cabin sole.
The last inspection, at San Diego Customs Dock, began in unsatisfactory manner. The custom's official, fresh from the airport, came aboard WILDFLOWER without asking, wearing cowboy boots. His attitude was aggressive and he immediately wanted to go below, without me present. OK, buddy, go for it. I stood on the deck at the mast, and gently started the boat rocking. That solved the issue. The cowboy emerged from below a shade of green, gave me my receipt, and told me to get out of there.
Clear and crisp these last five mornings, with low temps of 32-34, putting frost on WILDFLOWER's deck. It's been good green flash weather, and I've caught three in three consecutive sunrises, looking east towards Gabilan Peak, near Hollister.
Good to see CW and JG of STINKEYE at the New Year's Eve Santa Cruz "Do-It-Yourself" Parade, downtown on Pacific Ave. This unpermitted parade, with cops ready to intercede, is true SSS "Bring What You Got" spirit. How are they gonna bust grannys with peace signs, costumed women and children, clowns on stilts, a drum circle, all marching behind a soulful bagpiper?
I got WILDFLOWER safety inspected yesterday by a knowledgeable member of the SF Bay Coast Guard Auxiliary. My pre-inspection and safety sticker should go a long way to avoiding inopportune boardings by the Coasties, of which I have endured many over the years.
The three most memorable were the Coasties lowering a German Shepard from a helo overhead while WILDFLOWER was anchored at Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Is. The dog spun in circles on the wire, just above the mast, and was retracted without touching down on our deck. What the woof?
A second began when a young, corn fed, 220# Coastie, wearing his PFD, VHF, and weapon, got thoroughly stuck in WILDFLOWER's companionway hatch. The only way to get him unstuck was to (with his permission) plant my foot on his back and give a hard push, whence he fell in a heap onto the cabin sole.
The last inspection, at San Diego Customs Dock, began in unsatisfactory manner. The custom's official, fresh from the airport, came aboard WILDFLOWER without asking, wearing cowboy boots. His attitude was aggressive and he immediately wanted to go below, without me present. OK, buddy, go for it. I stood on the deck at the mast, and gently started the boat rocking. That solved the issue. The cowboy emerged from below a shade of green, gave me my receipt, and told me to get out of there.
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January 4, 2013
After 55 days, 10 hours, 8 min. since starting the Virtual Vendee Globe at Les'Sables d'Olonnes (2:10 pm PST) my little red boat SLEDCAT has Cape Horn abeam, one mile to the north. The wind is WNW at 25 knots, the seas are 10-15 feet, and viz is 8-10 miles.
Now it is up the Atlantic to the finish, 7020 miles distance. I've become attached to my little boat, adjusting course and sails at odd hours, day and night. At #19,365, SLEDCAT is currrently in the top 4% of the nearly half million virtual boats racing, 99% of whom are French. With a good passage north, I could possibly pick off another couple of thousand racers, including Alex Thompson on HUGO BOSS, who is 4th place in the real Vendee Globe.
Mythical Cape Horn entered my life early. In the second grade we were marched off to the auditorium to see a movie. Lo, it was "50 South to 50 South," the film story of WANDERBIRD, the magnificent German pilot schooner, skippered by Commodore Tompkins father, Warwick Tompkins, Sr. WANDERBIRD was rounding Cape Horn, headed to San Francisco. And there was four year old Commodore playing in the rigging. It looked like the life for me.
Little did I imagine that 30 years later, Commodore and I would become shipmates on many a sailing adventure. I was lucky to learn from one of the best seamen of our generation.
In third grade, Capt. Irving Johnson came to town for one of his lecture series. My father took me, and I got to see the film of Irving Johnson's 1929 voyage round the Horn as crew on the last Cape Horn square rigger, the massive steel bark PEKING.
Irving Johnson as a young man trained for this Cape Horn voyage. His training techniques included climbing telephone poles and standing on his head on top to improve balance. For strength he practiced tearing phone books in half. Johnson wanted to experience the ultimate storm. The PEKING found it off Cape Horn. Johnson's black and white film, taken from the top of the main mast in 100 mph of wind and 80 foot seas, ranks as one of the most spectacular photo epics ever. If you have a chance to see "Around Cape Horn" by Irving Johnson, a film from Mystic Seaport, don't miss it.
In 1969, in Hyeres, France, I had the chance to shake Irving Johnson's hand and briefly tell him what his dedication to the sea meant to me. I had forgotten the massive size and strength of Johnson's hands, and he, unintentionally, nearly crushed my hand in his friendly grip.
After 55 days, 10 hours, 8 min. since starting the Virtual Vendee Globe at Les'Sables d'Olonnes (2:10 pm PST) my little red boat SLEDCAT has Cape Horn abeam, one mile to the north. The wind is WNW at 25 knots, the seas are 10-15 feet, and viz is 8-10 miles.
Now it is up the Atlantic to the finish, 7020 miles distance. I've become attached to my little boat, adjusting course and sails at odd hours, day and night. At #19,365, SLEDCAT is currrently in the top 4% of the nearly half million virtual boats racing, 99% of whom are French. With a good passage north, I could possibly pick off another couple of thousand racers, including Alex Thompson on HUGO BOSS, who is 4th place in the real Vendee Globe.
Mythical Cape Horn entered my life early. In the second grade we were marched off to the auditorium to see a movie. Lo, it was "50 South to 50 South," the film story of WANDERBIRD, the magnificent German pilot schooner, skippered by Commodore Tompkins father, Warwick Tompkins, Sr. WANDERBIRD was rounding Cape Horn, headed to San Francisco. And there was four year old Commodore playing in the rigging. It looked like the life for me.
Little did I imagine that 30 years later, Commodore and I would become shipmates on many a sailing adventure. I was lucky to learn from one of the best seamen of our generation.
In third grade, Capt. Irving Johnson came to town for one of his lecture series. My father took me, and I got to see the film of Irving Johnson's 1929 voyage round the Horn as crew on the last Cape Horn square rigger, the massive steel bark PEKING.
Irving Johnson as a young man trained for this Cape Horn voyage. His training techniques included climbing telephone poles and standing on his head on top to improve balance. For strength he practiced tearing phone books in half. Johnson wanted to experience the ultimate storm. The PEKING found it off Cape Horn. Johnson's black and white film, taken from the top of the main mast in 100 mph of wind and 80 foot seas, ranks as one of the most spectacular photo epics ever. If you have a chance to see "Around Cape Horn" by Irving Johnson, a film from Mystic Seaport, don't miss it.
In 1969, in Hyeres, France, I had the chance to shake Irving Johnson's hand and briefly tell him what his dedication to the sea meant to me. I had forgotten the massive size and strength of Johnson's hands, and he, unintentionally, nearly crushed my hand in his friendly grip.
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Sled, your latest missive to this thread sent me searching for Irving Johnson and Cape Horn. Youtube came through (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RfuGKXOkB4). I don't know if this is the full Mystic film, but it was great fun to watch. As for your San Diego customs dock inspection, that sounds like an oscillation induced green flash to me.
BobJ
Alerion 38 "Surprise!"
I love it - rock a 'bye baby . . . wha' - who me?
This Vendee continues to thrill. It reminds me of a Vallejo race, usually won or lost in the Vallejo channel - this race will be won or lost in this final leg. Frequent race leader Francois (MACIF) seems determined to sail into a massive hole, Armel (BP) apparently plans to visit Buenos Aires, and JP Dick (Virbac) has emerged from his own hole and is sailing much faster than the other two, now only 250 miles back.
Okay, maybe trackers aren't so bad after all.
Meantime the IJ has heard Sled's complaint and is reconsidering Stamm's DSQ.
The PEKING was clearly freeboard-challenged. It's good to see the normal life aboard a ship without a bunch of movie-induced drama. Looks hard but kind of fun.
.
This Vendee continues to thrill. It reminds me of a Vallejo race, usually won or lost in the Vallejo channel - this race will be won or lost in this final leg. Frequent race leader Francois (MACIF) seems determined to sail into a massive hole, Armel (BP) apparently plans to visit Buenos Aires, and JP Dick (Virbac) has emerged from his own hole and is sailing much faster than the other two, now only 250 miles back.
Okay, maybe trackers aren't so bad after all.
Meantime the IJ has heard Sled's complaint and is reconsidering Stamm's DSQ.
The PEKING was clearly freeboard-challenged. It's good to see the normal life aboard a ship without a bunch of movie-induced drama. Looks hard but kind of fun.
.
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The boat ~finally~ has a rig. Now, this sail is made from a white polyethylene tarp, double-sided, doublestick carpet tape, white duct tape, and grommets. There's a 5/16 poly/nylon bolt rope around the borders. It ain't anything close to perfect, but it's reasonably close to the dimensions suggested by a sailmaker back east who's made a lot of lugsails for the skerry. Since these pictures were taken in my front yard, I've trimmed 10 inches off the mast. It's pretty bendy. We'll see how it goes, if it's just silly-bendy, I might give it a layer of unidirectional carbon fiber.
Wow Alan, the sail looks awesome. Let me know and I'll put in a good word for you at Santa Cruz Sails!
For a $27 piece of plastic, plus about $15 worth of other bits and bobs, it's pretty cool. Everybody says they don't last like a dacron sail, though. If this works to my satisfaction, then I'll either cough of the moolah for you to make a real one that will have a higher peak, a reef point and be about a 12 inches longer on the foot...or figure out how to sew one myself on the home machine. Broadseaming with roughly horizontal seams, I grok that. Broadseaming with vertical seams? Me has no clue, whatsoever, and there's no luff rounding in this sail.
She was launched last January. I let some chick and her dog take it out...
but that was rowing, only. I haven't sailed her yet, but I'm a member on the Wooden Boat forum and we have an elbow-bending session scheduled for the Encinal YC on Feb. 2nd, so she's got to have *some* sort of rig before then!
My friends at Berkeley Marina headquarters went into full-on oil spill response yesterday. It turned out to be just a drill. But how did the OVERSEAS RAYMAR sideswipe the Bay Bridge?
Speaking of oil spills, the circus came to town yesterday. Santa Cruz Harbor parking lot was filled with technical vehicles, a mobile hospital field truck, and people standing around in uniforms and lab coats.
I moseyed into their midst, and asked them what they were selling. Everyone was friendly and informative. Turns out they were there to recapture "Olive," the oiled sea otter.
In 2009 a sea otter washed ashore covered in oil. She was brought in. Cleaned with olive oil and dish soap. Fed, rehabbed, and released back into Monterey Bay with a microchip and locator transmitter implanted.
Nobody knew if "Olive" would survive. Olive not only survived, but thrived. She got her own Facebook page, and became world renown, especially to children.
In September of this year, Olive gave birth to a healthy pup. Mom and pup hang just offshore Capitola, in the kelp, and have been closely monitored. Now, Olive's locator batteries have expired. The large group of scientists at the Harbor yesterday were hoping to recapture Olive and her pup while they slept in the kelp. Then give them both a medical checkup, open Olive up, and put in fresh batteries.
I don't know if success was achieved. But here is Olive's story:
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Rescued-oiled-otter-amazes-with-birth-3864297.php
Speaking of oil spills, the circus came to town yesterday. Santa Cruz Harbor parking lot was filled with technical vehicles, a mobile hospital field truck, and people standing around in uniforms and lab coats.
I moseyed into their midst, and asked them what they were selling. Everyone was friendly and informative. Turns out they were there to recapture "Olive," the oiled sea otter.
In 2009 a sea otter washed ashore covered in oil. She was brought in. Cleaned with olive oil and dish soap. Fed, rehabbed, and released back into Monterey Bay with a microchip and locator transmitter implanted.
Nobody knew if "Olive" would survive. Olive not only survived, but thrived. She got her own Facebook page, and became world renown, especially to children.
In September of this year, Olive gave birth to a healthy pup. Mom and pup hang just offshore Capitola, in the kelp, and have been closely monitored. Now, Olive's locator batteries have expired. The large group of scientists at the Harbor yesterday were hoping to recapture Olive and her pup while they slept in the kelp. Then give them both a medical checkup, open Olive up, and put in fresh batteries.
I don't know if success was achieved. But here is Olive's story:
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Rescued-oiled-otter-amazes-with-birth-3864297.php
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