I came across this commercial-like video of Jack Mackerel's and thought I would give it a mention here. I'm a big fan of JM's because both their food and service are consistently good. Not to mention, they have a great roof-top area for an evening cocktail and appetizer. All in all, they are one of the restaurants on the Island that I always recommend to out of town visitors.
Ouch, that has an ugly sound to it. But this past Tuesday, more than 50 disaster officials and other emergency personnel met at the New Hanover County Department of Emergency Management to discuss the potential impacts of a major hurricane on our area. In this case, the fictitious scenario was based on a category 4 hurricane named Victor.
Now that area sea turtle nesting is in full swing, both Pleasure Island NC State Parks are offering free public talks on area sea turtle programs and various conservation efforts.
There’s no need to choose between a family vacation and a fishing trip — you can do both at once at these great locations!
There's just something cool about a 'message in a bottle' story. Over the last year or so, I've seen a few of these stories pop up in the media including one tale of a bottle recently found in Corolla, NC after being deposited in the ocean off of New Jersey in 1969. Side note: a sibling of the note writer left a comment on our blog.
What better way to see all the improvements being made on Pleasure Island then by enjoying a free week long vacation at the Courtyard Marriott? But hurry with your entry, the contest ends June 30, 2009
Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes.
Rip currents can be killers. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation's beaches exceeds 100. Rip currents account for over 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards.
The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents and always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards. The United States Lifesaving Association has calculated the chance that a person will drown while attending a beach protected by USLA affiliated lifeguards at 1 in 18 million. If caught in a rip current at an unguarded beach, how you respond could make the difference between life and death.
NOAA's National Weather Service and National Sea Grant Program, in partnership with the United States Lifesaving Association, are working together to raise awareness about the dangers of rip currents. Research is also being conducted in order to develop and improve the ability to predict the occurrence and strength of rip currents. The goal of the awareness campaign and research is to reduce the number of rip current related fatalities.
A daily rip current outlook is included in the Surf Zone Forecast, which is issued by many National Weather Service offices. A three-tiered structure of low, moderate, high is used to describe the rip current risk. This outlook is communicated to lifeguards, emergency management, media and the general public.
With increasing coastal populations, rip currents will continue to be a serious hazard at surf beaches. The NOAA Rip Current web site is designed to provide educational material as well as real time information about the rip current risk. The time you take to understand rip currents can help you protect yourself and your loved ones when visiting the beaches.
Dr. Rob Brander: Understanding a rip current
ExpertVillage.com: How to Identify & Avoid Rip Currents
Basic Rip Current Mechanics
1. Waves break on the sand bars before they break in the channel area.
2. Wave breaking causes an increase in water level over the bars relative to the channel level.
3. A pressure gradient is created due to the higher water level over the bars.
4. This pressure gradient drives a current alongshore (the feeder current).
5. The longshore currents converge and turn seaward, flowing through the low area or channel between the sand bars.(Diagram courtesy NOAA National Weather Service)
If Caught in a Rip Current
1. Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
2. Never fight against the current.
3. Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
4. Swim out of the current in a direction parallel to the shoreline.
5. When free of the current, swim toward shore.
6. If you are unable to swim out of a rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current and are no longer being pulled out, swim towards shore at an angle away from the current.
7. If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.
If You See Someone in Trouble, Don't Become a Victim Too:
1. Get help from a lifeguard.
2l If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1.
3. Throw the rip current victim something that floats--a lifejacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
4. Yell instructions on how to escape.
*Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
Additional Reference material: http://www.ocean.udel.edu/ripcurrents/characteristics/index.html
One wouldn't be faulted for thinking that we were under a gator siege here in Wilmington. Lately, it seems the local news have been reporting quite a few alligator incidents throughout the area. But since spotting one is still fairly rare (and kinda cool), I thought I'd post a listing of some of the recent local gator tales.
