Review From Cobwebs of the Mind

Teddy Gross is one of my fellow conspirators at Absolute Write and with some self-described reservations, is an avid blogger. Most importantly, Teddy is a writer and he uses a number of venues to effectively communicate his thoughts with others.

Yesterday evening, I received an email from Teddy telling me that he had posted a review of A View From the Waterfront. Teddy has been good enough to comment on a number of blogs belonging to writers that participate in the Absolute Write Forums. I threw my hat into the ring for similiar treatment and was pleasantly surprised by the results. It looks like the review was a near thing; my blog isn't primarily a writer's site.

If you have a chance to visit the review, you can see what I'm talking about here. Teddy has several blogs and I encourage everyone to visit them. Thanks for the review Teddy.

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The View From Jerusalem
Cobwebs Of The Mind
Help! I Have A Fire In My Kitchen

Tags: Cobwebs Of The Mind, Absolute Write, Blogging, Blog Review, Freelancing, Non-Fiction

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Alaska Sea Grant Program Assessment

I had a chance this week to participate in a national program evaluation for Alaska Sea Grant. This is an evaluation conducted every five years to gauge the effectiveness of this program in Alaska and the impact it has had in our communities. Issues I addressed with the Program Assessment Team (PAT) were centered on operation of Alaska ports and harbor. A copy of the poster prepared for the assessment can be seen to the left and I have included a link to it as a PDF file.

Operation of Alaska Ports and Harbors Poster

To quote Sea Grant, "Alaska's ports and harbors are at the nexus of the state's diverse maritime industry. The people who manage our ports and harbors face daunting challenges such as building, maintaining, and expanding facilities; preparing for natural hazards; managing user behavior; training and managing staff; and staying abreast of regulations."

Efforts I have been involved in with the Alaska Sea Grant College Program include:

• Publication of Northern Harbors and Small Ports: Operation and Maintenance
• Development of a Responsible Boater's Handbook on clean and safe boating
• Assistance with the donation of the City of Valdez's 60-ton Marine Travelift to Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
• Harbor and marina employee online training that utilizes many Alaska Sea Grant publications
• Involvement with the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administrators

If you have a chance, visit the Alaska Sea Grant Program website and find out more about this great organization. I hope the PAT sees the merits of this group and wholeheartedly support them.

Tags: Alaska Sea Grant, Alaska Ports and Harbors

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Why Do We Write?

Why do we write? Our own Small Town Girl has asked this question of us. I was trapped on a plane in Juneau yesterday. Alaska Airlines broke something. It took an hour to fix and three hours to document. Not the kind of writing I want to be involved with in my life. I was listening to a podcast from Mur Lafferty at I Should Be Writing about this same subject. She was interviewing David Drake and he spent most of the time asking Murr why she wanted to be a writer. It was interesting, but I'm not sure it provided any new insights for my own efforts.

Growing up in rural New Mexico and working for the Forest Service, writing was the least of my concerns. Returning to school later in life opened a window for me into the world of education. It seemed that I kept writing more and actually enjoyed it. The exercise definitely improved my professional standing and gave me the tools to be a better advocate of my thoughts and ideas. The project I'm most proud of is the effort I have participated in with the Alaska Sea Grant College Program.

A couple years ago, I finished a Masters degree in Rural Development. The program had the option of completing a thesis or conducting a related rural development project. I chose to develop an operations and maintenance handbook for harbors, with a supporting white paper on the importance of harbors to small Alaskan communities. A friend told Sea Grant about it and they decided to publish the handbook. Little did I realize the time and effort that goes into a publication. Sea Grant vetted everything presented in the book through their own experts and continued to find additional topics for me to add. The page layout and graphics they generated were amazing. I can say I've never been so thrilled to see something happen like this.

The handbook sparked other projects. The Canadian government adopted it for use in their harbors, I drafted a separate book on clean boating, the University of Alaska Southeast started working with me in developing an online harbor employee training program, and I started writing a novel. It's all great fun.

So why do we write? I'm not to an answer yet, but a lot of it centering on being able to express your thoughts and the joy you receive every once in a while when someone gets it and responds positively to your efforts. That's the gold at the end of the rainbow. What will Andrea have to say about it at Southern Expressions?

Tags: awchain, Absolute Write, AW Blogchain, awchain No. 6

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Boating Articles at Suite101

During the last month, I have been writing a number of articles related to boating and boating safety at suite101. Topics discussed include trailering, safety equipment, radio usage, and vessel operations. An index of articles is now available that outlines the topics covered to date.

I have several ideas for future topics. These include cold-water immersion, maritime terminology, GPS navigation, clean boating, and vessel maintenance. The 101 site gives me a good chance to establish a broad reference library of boating articles for its readers. Please contact me with ideas that I can add to the site. I would welcome guest articles for the site. Contact me at boatingsailing@suite101.com with your comments and ideas.

Tags: Boating, Boating Safety, Clean Boating, Vessel Care

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Proceedings of IFISH II Published April 2006

In September of 2003, I had the privilege of presenting a paper the second International Fishing Industry Safety and Health Conference (IFISH II). The first IFISH was held in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. IFISH II was hosted by the Southeast Alaska coastal community of Sitka. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) sponsored the conference that attracted 40 speakers and 135 registrants from 18 countries. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization sponsored the attendance of several participants in the conference.

My paper Evaluation of Alaska's Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program was published in the NIOSH Publication No. 2006-114: Proceedings, Second International Fishing Industry Safety and Health Conference under Session Seven: Vessel Safety on April 2006. I just received my copy in the mail a few days ago.

Attending the conference was a great experience. One outgrowth was the establishment of BoatingSafety-L, a listserv based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks committed to discussion and news about boating safety. NIOSH is currently exploring the possibility of an IFISH III to be held in Chenai, India.

Tags: CFVE, IFISH II, Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety, Alaska

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Suite101.com Press Release

Media Contact:
Alan Sorum
Boating and Sailing Writer
Suite101.com
Email: boatingsailing@suite101.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alan Sorum Launching Boating and Sailing Resource Site at Suite101.com

Suite101.com, an online magazine with more 10 years on the Web and attracting more than 2 million readers monthly, adds Boating expert Alan Sorum to the site’s Outdoor Adventure section with the launch of the new Boating and Sailing site at http://boatingsailing.suite101.com.

August 11, 2006 – Vancouver, BC – Suite101.com proudly announces the addition of a new Boating and Sailing resource site in their Outdoor Adventure section, managed by Boating expert Alan Sorum, one of the latest additions to the Suite101 team. The new Boating and Sailing site located at http://boatingsailing.suite101.com provides free articles, resources, and a blog providing boating news and commentary on topics ranging from marine safety to boater communications to recent trends in gear and equipment.

The site will offer reviews on boating related products, discuss operational issues, and provide information to improve the reader's overall boating experience. Readers of Suite101’s new Boating and Sailing site are provided with the opportunity to share their own reviews and feedback, ask related questions, and interact with site author Alan Sorum directly through the freely available site discussion boards.

The new Boating and Sailing site is managed by Alan Sorum, Port Director and Harbormaster for the City of Valdez, Alaska. Sorum has been extensively involved with port and harbor planning efforts. His current boating qualifications include the Coast Guard Marine Safety Device, Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiner, Boating Safety Instructor, and Facility Inspector. Sorum also holds a Boating Safety Instructor certificate from the State of Alaska and is the Immediate Past President of the Alaska Harbormasters Association. Alan will be providing boaters with relevant, current information on boating safety, products, and useful hints for vessel operations.

About Suite101

Suite101.com is a private company owned by Burda Media Group, a 102-year-old family-owned German magazine firm with over $2 billion in annual revenues, and by four private investors, two of whom are part of management at Abebooks.com. Attracting curious browsers in search of answers, news, tips, a good read, or a chat with like-minded groups, Suite101 offers primarily North American visitors quality content per click, covering topics ranging from entertainment, to home and gardening, to business and technology, to world affairs.

For more information about the launch of the new Boating and Sailing site at Suite101.com, or the addition of Boating expert Alan Sorum to the Suite101 team, please visit http://boatingsailing.suite101.com or contact the Boating and Sailing Writer, Alan Sorum via email at boatingsailing@suite101.com

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Tags: Boating, Boating Safety, Suite101

Boating & Sailing @ Suite101

I have started writing a series of articles for the Boating & Sailing section of Suite101. The site will explore the topics of safe vessel use, boating emergencies, clean boating practices, and vessel maintenance. Boating represents a major growth industry worldwide and more people join our ranks daily.

I will identify relevant issues and items of interest for recreational boaters, then explore concrete ways to address these issues. Our industry is dependent on boaters who enjoy the boating experience and take the necessary steps to protect our natural environment.

Involved in boating safety and environmental protection, both as a Harbormaster and a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, I see the need to address both issues in more detail. I welcome you to join the discussion at Suite101.

Tags: Boating, Boating Safety, Suite101

Career Training for Ports and Marinas

A group of us started talking about developing a distance delivered harbor employee training program about three years ago. The costs turned out to be excessive and the program was shelved. During this year's spring conference of the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers (PCC) in Juneau, I had a chance to meet with Dyan Bessette with the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Sitka Campus, Eric Olsson of Washington Sea Grant (WSG), and Ray Majeski, Port Director of Sitka and Vice-President of PCC about bringing the idea back to life.

It turned out that the timing of my book Northern Harbors and Small Ports: Operations and Maintenance coincided well with a Title III grant that UAS received to develop distance education programs with industry. UAS asked if it could used as the text for the proposed training program. While the particulars are not quite firm, we are off and running with the program, Two other harbor associations are likely joining forces with the certification effort. They are the Alaska Association of Harbormaster and Port Administrators (AAHPA) and the Harbor Authorizes Association of British Columbia (HAABC). In addition to these two groups, it looks like we may be able to partner with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Small Craft Harbours who actively work with Canadian Port Authorities. Alaska Sea Grant (ASG) has joined in support and is allowing us to utilize their extensive book store offerings as part of the course curriculum.

The on-line portion of the program will involve about eight or more modules that I will describe in more detail below. Once a student finishes a yet to be determined number of modules, they will receive a certificate of completion from UAS. After a student has completed a year’s work at a member harbor of the AAHPA, PPC or HAABC, member cooperating members will issue a certificate of qualification an a certified harbor/marina employee. There is a chance we will be able to develop some On-The-Job training standards as well. These could be things like pump operation or use of fire extinguishers. We picture this qualification as a basic requirement for advancement within a member harbor and transferable between marinas. Each member has the advantage of fully knowing what the training comprises and how it applies to their facilities.

Working with UAS, Eric Olsson and I anticipate completing the first two modules in Facility Safety and Hazardous Material by the end of July 2006. We will begin beta testing soon after that and hope to have some preliminary results to present to the PCC, AAHPA and HAABC groups at their fall meetings. The modules use Macromedia Breeze, PowerPoint, HTML, video and a number of reference documents to support the material being presented.

If you would like to know more about the project, feel free to contact me.

Elements of a Harbor Employee Training Program

Introduction – General overview of harbor operations and management. Completion of module will provide a roadmap to the student describing the training and certification program. Elements briefly covered will include:
• Management – Daily Operations
• Administration – Staff Positions
• Budget Process
• Regulatory Environment
• Maintenance
• Harbor Operations
• Employment Opportunities
• Harbor Trade Organizations (AAHPA, PCC, SG, AMI, ABBRA)
Resource Materials: Northern Harbors and Small Ports available from Alaska Sea Grant

Operations and Maintenance Planning – Harbor operation depends on good planning. Module will cover planning tools and documents that can be utilized by a harbor. These include:
• Marina/Harbor Operations Manual
• Facility Policies and Procedures Document
• Customer Documents and Forms
• Resource Library
• Facility Inspections
• Harbor Economics
Resource Materials: Harbor Economic Impact Model and user’s guide available on-line at http://www.harbormodel.info

Harbor Administration – Harbors for the most part are independent businesses operating within the overarching governmental structure of their community. Good business management will provide the resources a harbor needs for it successful operations. Module topics will include:
• Marina Business Management Software Programs.
• Administrative Staffing and Job Descriptions
• Governmental Relations
• Office Management Practices
• Vessel Mooring Practices
• Risk Management
• Customer Service and Conflict Resolution
• Administration of ordinances, regulations, policies and procedures
• Advertising and Promotion

Fire Safety – Harbors combine a large number of high value vessels in close contact with each other and a number of flammable substances gas and diesel fuel. This module will cover elements of fire safety training and planning. Elements will include:
• Fire Safety Training
• Fire Safety Plan
• National Fire Protection Association Standard 303
• Fire Fighting Equipment
Resource Materials: NFPA 303 available from NFPA

Facility Safety – Harbor facilities need to be monitored to ensure they are in good condition. This focus on safety impacts both your customers and employees. Finding a problem early can prevent much greater issues in the future. Module elements will include:
• Electrical Power Systems
• Floating Dock Freeboard
• Water Rescue Equipment
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Kid’s Don’t Float
• Housekeeping
• Slips, Trips and Falls
• Lighting
• Marine Mammals (This may be considered as a separate module)
• Earthquakes and Tsunami
• Risk Management Practices
• Boating Safety
Resource Materials: Ocean Fury, Alaska Water Wise and Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing in Alaska available from Alaska Sea Grant.

Hazardous and Other Materials – The future viability of harbors and marinas will depend on developing good environmental stewardship practices. Harbors also need to comply with numerous Federal and State regulations. Industry has developed the concept of Best Management Practices that provide good guidelines for the prevention of boating related pollution. Module elements will include:
• Best Management Practices for Harbors
• Used Oil Collection
• Solid and Liquid Waste Materials
Fishing line, fishing nets and plastics
Hull scrapings and sanding products
Scrap materials generated by vessel repairs
Contaminated fuel or water
Liquid and aerosol paints
Lead-acid batteries
Fish waste
Trash and garage
• Hazardous Material Training
• Federal Laws and Regulations
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (CZARA)
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA)
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA)
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act (MPPRCA)
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act Title I (MPRSA)
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90)
Resource Materials: Hazardous Materials On Board available from Alaska Sea Grant.

Marine Structures – Effective operation and maintenance of a harbor is dependent on employees having a solid understanding of the marine infrastructure installed at their workplace. Module elements cover major marine structures found in a harbor or small port.
• Mooring Docks
Wood floating docks
Concrete floating docks
Fixed docks
• Anchor Piling
• Tidal Grids
• Launch Ramps
• Breakwaters
Rubble-mound
Permeable wave barriers
• Floating Fish Cleaning Stations
• Gangways

Marine Construction Materials – Marine structures are built out of materials that are designed to withstand use in a severe climate. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages inherent in using each material will help harbor employees make good choices in their maintenance activities. Materials described in the module include:
• Wood
Wood damaging organisms
Wood damage by nonliving agents
Decay prevention
Inspection for decay
Maintenance and repair of wood structures
• Steel
Corrosion
Inspection of steel structures
Galvanic series of metals
• Concrete
Maintenance and repair of concrete structures
• Foam Floatation
Resource Materials: Marine Wood Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Proper Use of Douglas Fir available from Oregon Sea Grant

Dockside Cranes and Straddle Hoists – Harbors and small ports commonly use boat lifts and dock mounted cranes. Safe use of this equipment depends on good maintenance and safety practices. The following topics will be covered in this module:
• Dockside Cranes
Crane inspections
Crane access controls
Crane operator training
• Marine Straddle Hoists
Resource Materials: CD based crane operator training available from ARXCIS.

Potable Water Systems – Delivery of safe drinking water is an important function of most mooring facilities. There are a number of maintenance concerns that harbor employees should take into account at their facility.
Electrical Systems – Harbor electrical systems represent major investments by the community and can cause serious injury or death is not properly maintained. Elements of this module will include:
• Common Electrical Distribution Systems
• Harbor Electrolysis and Corrosion
• National Fire Prevention Association Standard 303
• Lighting Systems
Resource Materials: NFPA 303 available from NFPA and Harbor Electrical Guidelines for Maintenance and Operations available from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

Future Developments in Harbor Operations – What does the future hold for employees and operators of small boat harbors? This module will present information on future developments and reinforce the harbor employee certification program being sponsored by UAS, PCC and AAHPA. Ideas include:
• Harbor Maintenance Management Software – I’m currently working on this with Tryck Nyman Hayes
• Harbor Employee Training – This program is a major step forward.
• Port and Facility Security.
• Responsible Harbor Users Handbook
• Harbor and Port Visual Glossary
Resource Materials: 33 CFR Part 101 to 106 available from the United States Coast Guard.

Tags: AAHPA HAABC PCC Marina Harbor Training