Article by Larry Jock
“Always Late” sinks near Tea Cup
On Saturday, September 20th, the “Always Late”, a 48-foot charter boat out of Fisherman’s Marina in Ocean City, MD sank in 180 feet of water just offshore of the Tea Cup, 52 miles from the Ocean City Inlet.
At 11:17 am, the United States Coast Guard received a call from a crew member aboard the “American Lady”, reporting that the “Always Late” was taking on water and needed assistance.
The Coast Guard dispatched a rescue helicopter from their Atlantic City, NJ Air Station and issued an urgent marine information broadcast to mariners. The “Marli”, “Press Time”, “American Lady” and “Reel Addiction” responded to the broadcast.
The crew aboard the “Marli”, with Capt. Brian Porter at the helm, rescued seven crew members including Capt. Larry Richardson from the “Always Late”, while Mate Patrick O’Neil remained onboard to attempt to salvage the boat. The helicopter arrived on the scene and lowered a rescue swimmer with a pump to assist O’Neil but were ultimately unable to control the flooding and had to abandon the boat. O’Neil was taken aboard the “Marli”.
When the rescue was complete, the eight people who were aboard the “Always Late” spent the rest of the day fishing on the “Marli”, returning with 6 yellowfin tuna and 3 wahoo.
As of the writing of this report, the Coast Guard is investigating why the “Always Late” sunk and Sea Tow was dispatched on Sunday to determine if the boat could be towed back to port.
Subway cars launched onto Del-Jersey-Land artificial reef
Another “train” of retired New York City subway cars made their way onto the Del-Jersey-Land Reef last week, the latest deployment of the cars that are making more marine habitat for Delaware’s artificial reef program.
As with the first subway car sinking last month over the state’s newest artificial reef, 44 more cars by way of New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) were barged down the coast and dropped over the Del-Jersey-Land site—26 miles southeast of Indian River Inlet, and equidistant from the three states comprising the reef’s name.
The reef is a cooperative venture between Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland for enhancing fisheries habitat through decommissioned and retired ships.
As with the earlier sinking on the Del-Jersey-Land reef, this deployment will test the stainless steel subway cars’ durability in 120-150 feet of water by deploying them singly on the ocean floor. Earlier sinkings at artificial reefs along the East Coast were made with one subway car piled atop another on bottom, for a two-tiered reef habitat.
This is the fifth sinking of retired NYC subway cars in recent months in Delaware waters and brings the number of subway cars that help comprise the state’s artificial reef sites to 1,085 since the reef project began in 2001.
The great majority of the cars make up the state’s most popular artificial reef, the Redbird Reef (the name a variation of the nickname for the subway cars deployed onto the reef). With the subway cars accounting for a total surface area of more than 2.5 million square feet, Redbird Reef supports a marine life community up to 400 times richer than the natural bottom. Subway cars make ideal reef material, because voids and cavities in the cars’ structure provide the perfect sanctuary for reef fish.
For more information, visit http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/ArtificialReefProgram.aspx or contact Jeff Tinsman, Delaware Reef Program administrator, at 302-739-4782.
Liqua-Bait Locker wins Best of Show Award at ICAST
Plano Tackle Systems won Best of Show honors at the 2009 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) with the introduction of their Liqua-Bait Locker.
The Liqua-Bait Locker System has been developed to contain the liquids and the odors associated with simulated live baits (ex. Gulp!) as well and ensuring their freshness for continued use.
Manufactured out of Duraview™ the LBL systems will withstand the beating that anglers can put on their equipment. The Dri-Loc O-ring seal makes all components of the LBL system leak-proof and airtight, keeping baits fresh and tackle boxes and boats odor free. The noncorrosive pinned hinges provide a strong solid hinge that will last through years of use. Designed utilizing the footprint of a 3700 StowAway® Utility box allowing these products to fit into any bags designed to carry three or more 3700 size utility boxes.
The 4642 Extra Deep LBL includes one bottle, one bait grabber, and one wallet. The 4642 Extra Deep LBL is designed to hold 4 bottles or wallets (or two of each) with room left over for additional packages of softbait. The 4642 Extra Deep LBL measures 14”L x 9.13”W x 4.75”H and retails for $24.99.
The 4641 Deep LBL includes one bottle and one bait grabber. The 4641 Deep LBL is designed to hold one bottle with room for additional packages of softbait. The 4641 Deep LBL measures 14”L x 9.13”W x 3.25”H and retails for $14.99.
The 4648 LBL Wallet holds multiple packages of softbait or individual softbaits in their juices without the packaging. The 4648 LBL Wallet measures 7.375”L x 4.5”W x 1.75”H and retails for $9.99.
The 4651 LBL Bottle hold up to 23.5 ounces of simulated live bait and the liquid they are stored in. The 4651 LBL Bottle measures 7.25”L x 3.75”W x 2.63”H and retails for $7.99.
Check with your local tackle shop for pricing and availability.
