Oceania cycling championships top seed Lucy Kennedy eyeing the top of the podium – The Canberra Times

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Lucy Kennedy isthe top seed for the Oceania cycling championships, which start in Canberra on Thursday, but she only turned to bike riding as a last resort because of her will to compete.

Kennedy was a runner at Iowa State University in the United States before she was sidelined by injury and decided she would dabble in swimming.

But she didn't rate herself in the pool so Kennedy decided it was time to test out a bike, and now she is considered a red hot chance at clinching the Oceania time trial championship as the top seed.

Kennedy is one of 228 riders converging on the capital for the Oceaniaroad cycling championships, with time trial and road race titles up for grabs across six categories.

"I dabbled in swimming but I wasn't very good at that so I got on a bike," Kennedy said.

"Initially it was just to keep fit so I could run again but that didn't really ever happen. I never really ran again.

"One thing led to another and just sort of fell in love with cycling."

It's a far cry from the "incredible"American college system, and a taste of international competition has Kennedy itching for more - only this time she'll be on a bike.

"The level of support you get [in America] is like nothing you see in Australia," Kennedy said.

"Definitely [keen to ride overseas], we'll see what happens. No firm plans yet but we'll see what opportunities come up."

The 28-year-old engineer has ridden the National Capital Tour twice since taking up cycling in 2014, and won the yellow jersey in 2016.

A return to Canberra continues a "wild" schedule for Kennedy, who rides in the High5 Dream Team alongside Canberra product Rebecca Wiasak.

"After this I think I've got about six weeks at home before another block of national road series racing," Kennedy said.

While "it's been a busy start to the year", Kennedy manages to head home to Brisbane between races - she's "got to go back to work".

But a hectic schedule bodes well for Kennedy leading into one of the bigger events on her calendar, because plenty of riding means she is in "pretty good shape".

She will come up against plenty of familiar faces - quite often Kennedy will travel around the country racing the same people - but a new track offers a new challenge.

"I'll be looking to win, that's the goal," Kennedy said.

"LisenHockings is back, she's been out for a while with injury so it will be interesting to see what kind of form she brings back from that.

"There's some strong riders but definitely the goal is to definitely get up on the podium."

Canberra duo Rebecca Wiasak and Nathan Hart have won spots on the Australian team for the track cycling world championships in Hong Kong next month.

Wiasak won gold at the Australian championships last weekend, claiming her maiden national title after winning the women's individual pursuit.

Hart led the ACT team to bronze in the team sprint.

The world championships will be in Hong Kong from April 12-16, with Wiasak joining fellow world championsAlex Porter, 20, (SA), Callum Scotson, 20, (SA)andSam Welsford, 21, (WA), punctuate the selections.

The team features four debutants, who recently won national titles,in Jordan Kerby, 24, (QLD)andNick Yallouris, 23, (NSW),withO'BrienandRohan Wight, 20, (SA).

Wiasak is part of a six-strong women's endurance squad, which won three gold medals in the team pursuit, Madison and points race at the track World Cup.

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Oceania cycling championships top seed Lucy Kennedy eyeing the top of the podium - The Canberra Times

Oceania Cruises Culinary Programs for Foodies and Aspiring Chefs – Pursuitist

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Oceania Cruises is well-known for its culinary offerings aboard its fleet, but further enticing foodies to travel with the luxury cruise line are its exceptional cooking classes offered aboard its Riviera and Marina ships as well as full and half-day Culinary Discovery Tours led by its chefs on its entire fleet.

Chef Kathryn Kelly, Oceanias Director of Culinary Enrichment, designed each of the culinary discovery tours offered by the cruise line. Kelly, who has been with Oceania since 2010, has extensive culinary experience both as a gourmet chef and owner of a restaurant as well as a member of the faculty at the Culinary Institute of America (from which she is also a graduate). Culinary Discovery Tours are offered on Oceania ships with itineraries that stop in such ports as Venice, Monte Carlo, Portofino, Marseille, Oslo, Helsinki, Corfu, Catania, Casablanca, Barcelona, Argostoli, Rhodes, Tangiers, San Juan, and Tortola.

Chef Kathryn Kelly is the Director of Culinary Enrichment for Oceania Cruises.

The only hands-on cooking program offered by any cruise ship, Oceania offers several classes from which to choose on its Marina and Riviera ships. The number of classes that are offered is dependent on the length and itinerary of the cruise. Participants in one of the programs explore cuisines and ingredients and learn culinary techniques, which they can later use at home.

Passengers on Oceania Cruises Marina or Riviera can take a cooking class aboard the ship.

Each class begins with a cooking demonstration led by the Chef. Students are then assigned to a station where they prepare the same dishes and then dine on their creations that are paired with a glass of wine.

Chef Kathryn Kelly of Oceania Cruises teaches a cooking class on the Marina ship.

The Amore: Love of Lemons cooking class featured such recipes as a fennel salad with preserved lemons, lemon risotto, scaloppini al limone and lemon basil gelato with a drunken limoncello cake.

There are classes on several of the Marina and Riviera itineraries that feature Arabesque, Sicilian, Cuban cuisine, as well as a Fish Master Class, Paella Master Class and courses that focus on such foods as pasta, pizza, tapas, crepes and favorites from the Red Ginger restaurant menu.

Oceanias Director of Culinary Enrichment Kelly and Master Chef Karlis while teaching a cooking class.

Master Chef Karlis (left) and Chef Kathryn Kelly of Oceania Cruises lead a Culinary Discovery Tour at the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum in Roatan, Honduras.

Marina passengers visited the hydroponic farm at Blue Harbor Arboretum in Roatan Honduras.

Passengers on cruises that stop at Monte Carlo have the opportunity to sign up for a Discovery Tour that features a visit to the Nice market and lunch at the famous Chateau Eza with a menu developed by Chef Kelly (with each course explained by the chef including cooking techniques and ingredients used).

As the Culinary Discovery Tours and cooking classes are extremely popular, it is advisable to enroll in them well before boarding the ship. We discovered the programs are often sold out months in advance.

Also read: Oceania Cruises Marina Review: Luxury on the High Seas

Carrie Coolidge is Co-Editor of Pursuitist and is based in Manhattan. From 2009 to 2011, Carrie served as Co-Editor of Luxist, the luxury lifestyle website at AOL where she ran the Luxist Awards, a program that honored the very best in fine living. From 1996 to 2009, Carrie was a Staff Writer at Forbes magazine, where she was a member of the Billionaire's research team, in addition to covering real estate, personal finance and the insurance industry, among other areas. Carrie is also the author of six books, including "The Closet Entrepreneur". Follow her on Twitter: @carriecoolidge

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Oceania Cruises Culinary Programs for Foodies and Aspiring Chefs - Pursuitist

France: Top producer for Seychelles Tourism – eTurboNews

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Seychelles Director for Europe, Bernadette Willemin, said arrival figures from France virtually doubled over the last 10 years alone and reached a new record year in 2016 with 43,300 visitors, remaining the top producing market for the Seychelles.

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has thanked the French press for their valued support given to the destination over the years, which has contributed towards the increase of arrival figures from this European market.

The Director for Europe, Bernadette Willemin, echoed these words of thanks to representatives of the French press during a press conference held at the Hotel Hilton Opera in Paris on March 2.

She was joined at the press conference by STBs Marketing Executive, Valerie Payet; the General Manager of Hilton Northolme and Double Tree Allamanda Resort & Spa, Gregory Thierion; and Devi Pentamah, the Paris-based Cluster Sales Manager for Hilton Seychelles Hotels and Resort.

Mrs. Willemin gave a presentation on Seychelles, giving an overview of the islands tourism products and emphasizing the natural beauty of the country.

Seychelles was perfectly-described as the place where natural purity and authenticity is perfectly cocooned from the pernicious influences of commercialism; the place where tranquility and simplicity can be found and innocence rediscovered.

The opportunity was timely to bring the warmth of the islands to the audience contrasting the freezing cold weather outside.

Mrs. Willemin spoke about the warmth which visitors can expect to enjoy anytime in Seychelles, land of perpetual summer.

She also talked about the different activities inland and out at sea underlining also the Creole culture and Seychellois hospitality, a population who is by great majority Christians and blessed to be living in a place still considered to be one of the safest in the world.

Bernadette Willemin concluded by explaining the wide range of accommodation choices, from the homely comforts of rustic beachside bungalows to the pampered privacy and luxury of 5-star resorts on remote islands, thus setting the scene for Hilton partners to take the floor.

Devi Pentamah then took over and transported the journalists to the third biggest island of the archipelago, Silhouette, where Hilton has its biggest property. The exotic, forgotten world of Silhouette represents Seychelles at its pristine best.

The pure unspoiled nature of the island offers unfathomed beauty, representing the true essence of Seychelles.

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort is located along a 2-kilometer stretch of powder-soft beach and combines the optimum in fly & flop relaxation including a first-class spa, fine dining, and beautiful beaches with exciting activities together with the usual water sports.

This unique holiday experience provides guests with the chance to be at one with nature and to enjoy the very best that Seychelles unique environment has to offer.

Mr. Thierion proudly introduced the 2 smallest Hilton resorts in the world Hilton Seychelles Northome Resort & Spa and the Double Tree Allamanda Resort & Spa, both found on the island of Mah.

Located on the northern coast of Mah, Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is a secluded hideaway along Beau Vallon Bay, with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. It is surrounded by white sandy beaches, tropical gardens, and crystal waters, and it is a true escape. It has 55 luxurious villas nestled along small beach coves and on the hillside, the Hilltop Restaurant with its panoramic view, Ocean View Bar, Les Cocotiers Restaurant for fine dining under the stars, the Eforea Spa for relaxing treatments, the infinity pool, and much more.

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa retains its old-world Seychellois friendliness and charm, enhanced by its excellent service and casual elegance. A Creole getaway awaits at this hidden treasure - also an inspiration to James Bond creator, Ian Fleming.

Mr. Thierion then moved to the modern 4-star DoubleTree Allamanda Resort & Spa by Hilton located in the South of Mah at Anse Forbans. The 30-room property boasts a romantic and superb private beach surrounded by untouched lush tropical foliage, all offering the guests a panoramic view of the ocean.

The members of the press left with le soleil plein la tte after one-on-one meetings and interviews with the hotelier and STB.

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France: Top producer for Seychelles Tourism - eTurboNews

Taiwanese president to visit Caribbean amid concerns of ‘unstable’ relations with region – Jamaica Observer

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (CMC) President Tsai Ing-wen is to visit the Caribbean later this year amid concerns that its relations with some Caribbean allies have become unstable, Foreign Minister David Lee said Monday.

Taiwan has relations with St Kitts-Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, and Lee acknowledged that relations with one or more of the Caribbean territories are kind of unstable.

That is why a visit by President Tsai Ing-wen to allies in that region in the second half of this year is being planned as part of the Governments efforts to cement ties with diplomatic partners there, Lee said when answering questions from Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lo Chih-cheng at the Legislative Yuans Foreign and National Defence Committee.

Lee said that his ministry has taken measures to improve bilateral ties with these countries in question and that the situation is under control.

The foreign ministry has been keeping close tabs on ties with Taiwans diplomatic allies and will address issues immediately if it notices something wrong, he said, without elaborating on which country or countries in the Caribbean are in question.

Last August, the main Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in St Vincent and the Grenadines said it would switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China if it is elected to office in the next general election.

The announcement represented a change in one of the last common policies that the NDP shared with the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP).

St Vincent and the Grenadines has maintained unbroken diplomatic ties with Taiwan since 1981, even as several other Caribbean nations, including Dominica and Grenada, have switched ties over the last decade.

Beijing says Taiwan is a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland by force, if necessary.

The NDP said that as a modern political organisation, it continues to discuss and formulate a range of appropriate measures and responses to ongoing geo-political realities.

In this regard, fully cognisant of the ever-evolving symmetry of international affairs, and the principal responsibility and obligation of our party in or out of Government to diligently pursue and protect the best strategic interests of our country, I hereby formally announce that the New Democratic Party of St Vincent and the Grenadines, as of todays date, August 23, 2016, has taken the decision to recognise the United Nations accepted norm of a One China Policy, the NDP leader Arnhim Eustace said in a statement last August.

Last year, St Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir Louis Straker said Kingstown was hoping to establish diplomatic presence in Taiwan.

St Vincent and the Grenadines has benefited significantly from it relationship with Taiwan, both in terms of infrastructural and human resource development.

Taiwan financed the terminal building at the Argyle International Airport, 15 learning resource centres across the country, and bridges and other pieces of infrastructure projects.

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Taiwanese president to visit Caribbean amid concerns of 'unstable' relations with region - Jamaica Observer

Even bigger! New Royal Caribbean cruise ship to be world’s largest – USA TODAY

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Royal Caribbean's next ship, Symphony of the Seas, will be slightly bigger than sister vessel Harmony of the Seas, shown here. Harmony currently is the biggest cruise ship at sea.(Photo: Michel Verdure)

A new cruise ship from Royal Caribbean coming in 2018 will be the biggest ever built.

Royal Caribbean today will revealthat the fourth vessel in its record-breaking Oasis class series, scheduled to debut in April 2018, will measure about 230,000 tons, eclipsing the current size leader by about 3,000 tons.

Royal Caribbean also will announcethe name for the ship, which already is under construction at a shipyard in France: Symphony of the Seas.

In addition, the line will announce that the vessel willsail to the Caribbean out of Miami starting in November 2018. It'll move to the city after spending its first few months operating voyages in the Mediterranean.

The announcements are coming as Royal Caribbean preparesto break ground todayon a new terminal at the port of Miami that will be able to accommodate ships as big as Symphony.

In addition to Symphony, the new terminal will be home to a second Oasis Class ship, Allure of the Seas, which will move to Miami from its current home in Fort Lauderdale in late 2018, Royal Caribbean will announce today.

In becoming the world's largest cruise ship, Symphony will be dethroning the third vessel in the Oasis Class series, Harmony of the Seas. Unveiled just eight months ago, Harmony measures 226,963 tons and can carry up to 6,780 passengers.

Five things to love about Royal Caribbean's new Harmony of the Seas

Symphony will share many of the same features as Harmony, whichis about 1,700 tons larger than the first two Oasis Class vessels, Oasis of the Seas and Allure,and offers attractions that aren't on the earlier ships. Among features that were new on Harmony that will be debuting on Symphony, too:Ultimate Abyss, which has been heralded as the most thrilling attraction ever conceived for a cruise vessel. Comprised of two swirling slides, Ultimate Abyss drops ninestories from near the top of the ship down to one of its lowest decks (scroll through the carousel at the top of this story for a look at everything Harmony has to offer).

See what it's like to slide down the Ultimate Abyss on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas. USA TODAY

Symphony also will have a multi-deck water slide area, something Royal Caribbean just begun adding to vessels in 2016, and a Bionic Bar where the drinks are served by robot bartenders a concept that first debuted in 2014 on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean will announce today that Symphony willhave 28 more cabins than Harmony as well as some new features not currently on the earlier vessel.

With the addition of Symphony, Royal Caribbean will have 26 ships.

Symphony's first voyages will openfor bookings later today.

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Even bigger! New Royal Caribbean cruise ship to be world's largest - USA TODAY

Royal Caribbean: Should Value Investors Pick this Stock? – March 7 … – Zacks.com

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Value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. After all, who wouldnt want to find stocks that are either flying under the radar and are compelling buys, or offer up tantalizing discounts when compared to fair value?

One way to find these companies is by looking at several key metrics and financial ratios, many of which are crucial in the value stock selection process. Lets put Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL - Free Report) stock into this equation and find out if it is a good choice for value-oriented investors right now, or if investors subscribing to this methodology should look elsewhere for top picks.

PE Ratio

A key metric that value investors always look at is the Price to Earnings Ratio, or PE for short. This shows us how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings in a given stock, and is easily one of the most popular financial ratios in the world. The best use of the PE ratio is to compare the stocks current PE ratio with: a) where this ratio has been in the past; b) how it compares to the average for the industry/sector; and c) how it compares to the market as a whole.

On this front, Royal Caribbean has a trailing twelve months PE ratio of 15.57, as you can see in the chart below:

This level actually compares pretty favorably with the market at large, as the PE for the S&P 500 stands at about 20.49. If we focus on the stocks long-term PE trend, the current level puts Royal Caribbeans PE ratio below its midpoint over the past five years, which is 16.92. Moreover, the current level is fairly below the highs for this stock, suggesting that the stock is undervalued compared to its historical levels.

Further, the stocks PE also compares favorably with the Zacks classified Leisure & Recreation Services industrys trailing twelve months PE ratio, which stands at 20.15. At the very least, this indicates that the stock is relatively undervalued right now, compared to its peers.

We should also point out that Royal Caribbean has a forward PE ratio (price relative to this years earnings) of 13.60, so it is fair to say that a slightly more value-oriented path may be ahead for Royal Caribbean stock in the near term too.

P/S Ratio

Another key metric to note is the Price/Sales ratio. This approach compares a given stocks price to its total sales, where a lower reading is generally considered better. Some people like this metric more than other value-focused ones because it looks at sales, something that is far harder to manipulate with accounting tricks than earnings.

Right now, Royal Caribbean has a P/S ratio of about 2.41. This is lower than the S&P 500 average, which comes in at 3.11 right now. Also, as we can see in the chart below, this is somewhat below the highs for this stock, in particular over the past year.

Broad Value Outlook

In aggregate, Royal Caribbean currently has a Zacks Value Style Score of A, putting it into the top 20% of all stocks we cover from this look. This makes Royal Caribbean a solid choice for value investors, and some of its other key metrics make this pretty clear too.

For example, the PEG ratio for Royal Caribbean is just 0.63, a level that is lower than the industrys average of 2.99. The PEG ratio is a modified PE ratio that takes into account the stocks earnings growth rate. Additionally, its P/CF ratio (another great indicator of value) comes in at 8.63, which is somewhat better than the industry average of 8.70. Clearly, RCL is a solid choice on the value front from multiple angles.

What About the Stock Overall?

Though Royal Caribbean might be a good choice for value investors, there are plenty of other factors to consider before investing in this name. In particular, it is worth noting that the company has a Growth grade of C and a Momentum score of C. This gives RCL a Zacks VGM scoreor its overarching fundamental gradeof B. (You can read more about the Zacks Style Scores here >>)

Meanwhile, the companys recent earnings estimates have been encouraging. The current quarter has seen two upward estimate revisions in the past sixty days, while the full year estimate has seen eight upward revisions in the same time frame.

As a result, the current quarter consensus estimate has increased by 31.4%, while the full year estimate has inched up by 3.5%. You can see the consensus estimate trend and recent price action for the stock in the chart below:

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Price and Consensus

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Price and Consensus | Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Quote

This positive trend signifies bullish analyst sentiment, and its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) indicates robust fundamentals and expectations of outperformance in the near term.

Bottom Line

Royal Caribbean is an inspired choice for value investors, as it is hard to beat its incredible lineup of statistics on this front. Its Zacks Rank #2 also indicates robust growth potential in the near future. However, the companys prospects might be constrained due to adverse broader factors, as it has a sluggish industry rank (Bottom 34% out of more than 250 industries). In fact, over the past one year, the Zacks categorized Leisure & Recreation Services industry has clearly underperformed the broader market, as you can see below:

So, it might pay for value investors to delve deeper into the companys prospects, as fundamentals indicate that this stock could be a compelling pick.

Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017

In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest tickers for the entirety of 2017?

Who wouldn't? These 10 are painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. They are our primary picks to buy and hold. Be among the very first to see them >>

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What Killed More Than Half a Dozen of the Bahamas’ Swimming Pigs? – Smithsonian

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SmartNews Keeping you current ( Christopher Dorobek /Flickr)

smithsonian.com March 7, 2017 1:42PM

There are many reasons to visit the Bahamasbeautiful beaches, conch fritters, killer snorkeling. But in recent years one of the biggest attractions has been the island nations pigs. The swimming pigs of Exuma to be exact, a group of porkerson a small island called Big Major Cay, who over the years have taken up the hobby of paddling around in the areas crystal blue waters. Recently,however, at least seven members of the now-famous pig colony mysteriously died, their bodies found floating in the sea, reports Ben Guarino at The Washington Post.

Wayde Nixon, one of the farmers that originally brought pigs to the island about 30 years ago, told Sloan Smith at the Nassau Guardianin late February that he initially believed tourists, who interact with the pigs and feed them, may have caused the deaths by giving the pigs alcohol and junk food. Kim Aranha, president of the Bahamas Humane Society, also speculated on the cause. It could just be a horrible accident where they ate something poisonous, she told local news source Tribune 242in late February. "It could be malicious but I dont really see why someone would go out of their way to hurt those lovely animals.

Now, Delaney Chambers at National Geographic reports on March 4 that a preliminary examination shows that the pigs likely died from ingesting too much sand.

The pigs have been on the island so long, they are used to foraging for natural food, Ventoi Bethune, an inspector with the Bahamas Humane Society, tells Chambers. The pigs would occasional prance down onto the beach for a snack from visitors. But increased popularity and big influx of tourists have changed the pigs' habits. In recent years, the pigs have even been featured on the reality show The Bachelor. Now [the pigs] stay on the beach and arent living in the forest.

Instead, the porkers eat small bits of food thrown by tourists, which means they probably get a snoutful of sand each time they take a nibble. An ongoing drought on the island which has dried up the pigs water supply may have also contributed to the deaths.

Despite the die-off, tourists will still be able to visit the remaining pigs, though they may not be able to swim or pet the porkers as they did in the past. Bethune tells Chambersthat a warden will now be stationed at Pig Beach. V. Alfred Gray, the Bahamas'Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources tells Smith that the agency will soon establish rules for interacting with the pigs, including a boundary around the pigs and restricted feeding by the public.

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Jason Daley is a Madison, Wisconsin-based writer specializing in natural history, science, travel, and the environment. His work has appeared in Discover, Popular Science, Outside, Mens Journal, and other magazines.

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What Killed More Than Half a Dozen of the Bahamas' Swimming Pigs? - Smithsonian

Guyana’s President Said He Learned a Lot During Visit to The Bahamas – The Eleutheran

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President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Brigadier David Granger speaks at a luncheon held in his honor at Churchills restaurant in the Grand Lucayan on Friday afternoon. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama Sitting Chairman of the Caribbean Community regional body (CARICOM) and President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Brigadier David Granger said that he and members of his Cabinet were in The Bahamas to learn, and during his visit to Grand Bahama he admitted that in two days they had learned a lot.

Addressing a special luncheon in his honour, hosted by Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie and Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville at the Grand Lucayan, Brigadier Granger said that The Bahamas has been a good example to the rest of the Caribbean community in terms of outstanding development.

We have been deeply impressed by the development of The Bahamas, particularly in the financial and tourism sectors under Prime Minister Christie, said the Guyanese President. But there can be no doubt about the pre-eminence of the Bahamian economy and I have come with my Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Agriculture, and Minister of Business and Minister of Tourism to look and to learn from The Bahamas.

From what we have seen here in Grand Bahama, there is no doubt a model for industrial development and format from which we can learn a lot.

President Granger said that regional tourism and collaboration between member states must become an emerging trend, especially if Caribbean islands that depend heavily on tourism intend to survive in the face of the opening of the borders of a destination like Cuba.

I am convinced that if we can combine our talents and our resources we can offer a world-class product. The Bahamas is already a world-class destination and we would like to learn how you have been able to accomplish that position.

Grand Bahama has set the stage as a major player in the industrial sector and from the visits we have made to places like the Container Port and the Grand Bahama Shipyard, we can take away so much information to study. We are very happy with what we have seen during our visit here.

He said that The Bahamas is well on the path to prosperity and security, and well on the path to sealing its position with solidarity with the rest of the Caribbean community. Brigadier Granger said be assured that his ministers for Tourism, Business and Finance would be back in The Bahamas at a later date, for a longer period of time, to learn more about how The Bahamas has been able to accomplish what it has in terms of gaining a foothold in tourism, economics and industrial success.

The Caribbean is a unique zone situated in between two giants the North American Continent and the South American Continent. In between we have scores of small and micro-states.

These states and countries are threatened because of economic hardships. But we have to transform our economies. So we have been able to come to Grand Bahama and see how this transformation is taking place.

But Grand Bahama is just one part of the entire Caribbean and during my semester as head of CARICOM, I will take the message of what I have learned here to my colleagues around the Caribbean.

During the luncheon, Sarah St. George, Vice-Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, presented Brigadier Granger with a special gold coin, which represented the 50th anniversary of the Port Authority.

By Andrew Coakley Bahamas Information Services

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Guyana's President Said He Learned a Lot During Visit to The Bahamas - The Eleutheran

Canadian clothing manufacturer fined $50K for illegal dredging in Bahamas – 680 News

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NASSAU, Bahamas A judge in the Bahamas has fined a Canadian clothing manufacturer $50,000 for violating a court order to stop dredging near his beachfront home.

The environmental group Save the Bays, which brought the case against Peter Nygard, calls the ruling an extraordinary triumph for environmental justice in the Bahamas.

In a statement, a lawyer for the group says Supreme Court Justice Rhonda P. Bain has found Nygard in contempt of court for violating her 2013 order to stop the dredging.

Lawyer Fred Smith says Nygard has nearly doubled the size of his property over the years by digging up sand and placing it along his beachfront.

Smith says the judge has given Nygard until March 21st to pay the fine or be sent to prison for two weeks.

Officials for Nygard were not immediately available for comment.

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Canadian clothing manufacturer fined $50K for illegal dredging in Bahamas - 680 News

Australia’s ‘shocking’ offshore immigration regime inspires play … – The Guardian

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A poster for Nazanin Sahamizadehs play Manus, which follows the lives of seven Iranian men who flee Iran only to wind up in the offshore detention centre run by Australia on Papua New Guineas Manus Island. Photograph: Nazanin Sahamizadeh

A Tehran playwright wants to bring her production, Manus, to Australia to help the outside world hear the voices of refugees held on the remote island.

Nazanin Sahamizadehs play follows the lives of seven Iranian men who flee by various means from Iran, seeking protection and freedom, only to wind up in the offshore detention centre run by Australia on Papua New Guineas Manus Island. The play centres around their time on the island and their struggle to cope with the violence, indignities and privation of their indefinite detention, and the uncertainty over their futures.

The seven-man production is in the middle of a two-month run at the Qashqai Hall of Tehrans City Theatre complex and Sahamizadeh hopes to soon take it further afield.

I wish, firstly, to perform it in Australia and then in other places in the world, to allow people to hear the voices of refugees, she told the Guardian. And I hope to create a movement towards closing Manus and Nauru camps as soon as possible and helping to free the refugees held there.

One of the lead characters is Kurdish Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani, who has emerged as one of the most prominent advocates for the rights of refugees from inside the Manus detention centre. He and Nazanin were in almost daily contact as the play was being written and workshopped.

We worked together for more than a year, I sent her information about what is happening in Manus, like the court news, the Australian election, the changes inside the detention centre, even when people attempted suicide. I was reporting almost every day. My role in this project was to take Nazanin into this prison by describing life in Manus. It was important that Nazanin understood well how life is in Manus to tell the story in artistic language.

When the play was ready Nazanin invited me to inaugurate the play, Boochani told The Guardian. That was an interesting moment... I went to beach and made a short speech to the actors and audience and read a part of my own writing about Manus prison and the concept of being a prisoner.

Sahamizadeh said few people in Iran were aware of Australias offshore detention regime, despite Iranians being the largest cohort of detainees on both of Australias offshore islands.

There is no information about these camps at all in Iran and no news about the events and disasters that have been happened there, she said. Maybe just a few people have heard a brief headline of news.

I thought only Reza Barati had been killed by camp authorities but others have also died in the camps.

She said she had been stunned to learn of the detention centre on Manus ruled illegal and unconstitutional by the supreme court more than 10 months ago and that men had been held there for more than three years.

It is so tragic and shocking, she said. Because Australia is first-world country and a pretender [to uphold] human rights. But this behaviour with refugees and asylum seekers is completely against humanity.

The play deals with violence in the island camps and the deterioration of the protagonists mental and physical health. But the show does not aim to preach, Sahamizadeh insisted.

Ive mostly tried to give audiences awareness and make them think, instead of giving them just message.

She said people brought, and left with, different attitudes towards the issue of irregular migration and of those who seek asylum.

Some believe that refugees should not use illegal ways and government has right to deal with them but the majority are saying that these camps should be closed and government should not act like this.

She said the play, despite its controversial subject matter Irans theocratic regime is sensitive to the issue of its citizens fleeing to claim protection and refuses to accept failed asylum seekers forcibly returned to its territory has not attracted the attention, nor opprobrium, of authorities.

My play is a social show and not political and is for ordinary people and not authorities.

Hossein Babaahmadi, a former asylum seeker held on Manus who has since returned to Iran, spoke at a performance of the play, telling the audience he was still suffering from his time seeking asylum and in detention.

Only those who been through this can imagine this journey every single moment of it was like death.

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Australia's 'shocking' offshore immigration regime inspires play ... - The Guardian

Study: Offshore Fault System Could Produce 7.3 Earthquake – KPBS

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Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Above: This map shows the Newport Inglewood Rose Canyon Fault, and underwater topography off the coast of Southern California, and the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Site, or SONGS, site, February 2017.

The offshore Newport-Inglewood and Rose Canyon faults are part of the same fault system and could produce earthquakes of a magnitude 7.3 or greater, according to a study released by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Wednesday.

The faults, which run from San Diego to Los Angeles, had previously been considered separate.

RELATED: Seismic Research Explores San Onofres Earthquake, Tsunami Risks

Instead, they are actually one continuous system running from San Diego Bay to Seal Beach in Orange County, then on land through the Los Angeles basin, according to the study, published in the American Geophysical Union's Journal of Geophysical Research.

"This system is mostly offshore but never more than four miles from the San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles County coast," said lead author Valerie Sahakian, who performed the work during her doctorate at Scripps.

"Even if you have a high 5- or low 6-magnitude earthquake, it can still have a major impact on those regions which are some of the most densely populated in California," said Sahakian, now a postdoctoral fellow with the U.S. Geological Survey.

An offshore quake could register as much as 7.3, however, while one on land could hit 7.4, she said.

Researchers processed data from previous seismic surveys, and supplemented it with high-resolution underwater topography data gathered offshore by Scripps researchers between 2006 and 2009 along with seismic surveys conducted aboard Scripps research vessels in 2013.

The disparate data have different resolution scales and depth of penetration, which allowed the scientists to define the fault architecture at an unprecedented scale and create magnitude estimates with more certainty, according to Scripps.

The fault system most famously produced a 6.4-magnitude quake in Long Beach that killed 115 people in 1933.

Researchers have found evidence of earlier earthquakes of indeterminate size on onshore portions of the fault, finding that at the northern end of the fault system, there have been between three and five ruptures in the last 11,000 years. At the southern end, there is evidence of a quake that took place roughly 400 years ago and little significant activity for 5,000 years before that.

The Rose Canyon Fault runs alongside the northern San Diego County coast, comes inland around La Jolla, extends under downtown San Diego and winds up offshore again off Imperial Beach.

The authors conclude that further study is needed to improve the understanding of the threat posed to urban areas between Tijuana and Los Angeles.

Researchers at the Nevada Seismological Laboratory assisted with the study, which was funded by Southern California Edison.

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Study: Offshore Fault System Could Produce 7.3 Earthquake - KPBS

Seadrill – 3 Offshore Drillers Poised To Win The 3 ONGC 3-Year Tenders – Is It Really Worth It? – Seeking Alpha

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Image: SemiSubmersible Sevan Driller

Investment Thesis

The offshore drilling industry is suffering through the worst bear cycle in history. The oil crash that began late in 2014 had a terrible effect on the offshore drilling players such as Transocean (NYSE:RIG), Seadrill (NYSE:SDRL) or Noble Corporation (NYSE:NE) and another dozen or more companies struggling to avoid a financial meltdown, due to a basic lack of work, dismal day rates and rig oversupply, which is the unavoidable trichotomy of an offshore drilling bear market that continues unabated as I speak today.

Oil majors have reduced exploration CapEx to a bare minimum just barely higher in 2017 but still painfully insufficient.

I have followed this sector closely for years and tried to report the slow degradation of the business environment until now and I am still waiting to see some meaningful signs of a potential recovery. However, of late, we may have experienced an important change in the oil market that may lead to a bottom for offshore drilling and a possible recovery late in 2018 or early 2019?

OPEC and non-OPEC producers have agreed to cut production by a little less than 1.8 MBOPD, and quickly in December 2016 the price of oil began to trend up, at least until January 2017. Unfortunately, oil prices have stalled abruptly after reaching a range of $53-$56 per barrel, due to a booming US shale new activity -- especially in the Permian sector and doubt about the effectiveness of this supply reduction long-term.

Yet, some analysts are still forecasting slightly over $60 a barrel in 2018, which is enough to change the dynamic in the offshore exploration, notably in the deepwater segment which needs about $63 per barrel to be economical. Nonetheless, the situation is not an easy one and a potential to return to the $40's a barrel is also a present and real danger.

While waiting for concrete signs of tendering activity, it is important to know what exploration sectors will provide for the deepwater and ultra-deepwater business in the near future?

One important area that could help the offshore industry to survive this downturn is India offshore, which is the main topic of my article today. ONGC is active and is about to award three rigs on a three-year contract for its KG-DWN-98/2 block.

Description of the Krishna Godavari basin:

Total oil initially in place in the KG-DWN-98/2 block is estimated at 106 million cubic meters, production of only 26.71 million cubic meters is envisaged during 2019-2031.

Similarly, the gas initially in place is estimated at 69.57 billion cubic meters "BCM," of which only 51.33 BCM can be produced during 2018-34.

On December 23, 2016, we learned from Upstream that ONGC submitted offers for two units able to drill in 1500 meters of water, and one rig to drill in 600 meters.

[Translated from Norwegian] Seadrill is one of several bidders in a tender for three deepwater rigs from India's state oil company ONGC, reports Upstream, according to TDN Finans. The rigs will be used on flagship block KG-DWN-98/2 outside India's east coast. The first part of the tender process consists according to news agency two dynamically positioned drillship or semi rigs to drill in 1,500 meters. It is in this category Upstream sources mention Seadrill that one of the bidders, with the drillship "Sevan Driller". In addition participates among others Transocean , Vantage Drilling (OTCPK:VTGDF), Universal Energy Resources, Noble Drilling ((NYSE:NE)) and Ocean Rig (NASDAQ:ORIG).

On March 3, 2017, We learn again from Upstream that ONGC is now close to award the three 3-year contracts.

Three leading international drilling contractors are poised to win three-year, deep-water rig contracts from India's Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for its flagship Block KG-DWN-98/2 development off the country's east coast.

ONGC requires two 1500-metre, dynamically positioned drillships or semi-submersibles in one category and a single anchor-moored rig capable of drilling in 600 meters of water in the second.

London-headquartered giant Seadrill and Singapore's Vantage Drilling are expected to win three-year rig charter contracts in the 1500-metre category, while Brazil's Queiroz Galvao Oil & Gas (QGOG) is likely to win a three-year rig contract in the 600-metre category, sources said.

On February 27, 2017, commercial bids were opened by ONGC and the results are indicated in a small table below:

Seadrill with its Subsidiarie Sevan Drilling.

Sevan Drilling ASA (SEVDR.OL) (OTCPK:SDRNF), listed on the Oslo stock exchange: SDRL owns 50.11% (14.897 million shares) of the company.

Semisubmersible Sevan Driller (2009)

Actually Ready stacked in Singapore

Drillship Platinum Explorer

(2010)

Actually Ready stacked in India

Midwater Semisub Olinda Star

(1983)

Actually Ready stacked in Brazil

Transocean (RIG) is said to be the biggest loser in this fight for survival. The company offered no less than three drillships in the first category and one semisubmersible in the second category:

More than a dozen rigs were offered by nine contractors in the 1500-metre category.

Transocean is believed to have offered the highest bid with $166,750/d for the three drillships offered. For the second category, Transocean was the second bidder with $146,050/day (only three bidders in this category with the Semisubmersible Hakuryu-5 from Japan drilling but seems to have been disqualified?

Conclusion:

Let's all be honest here. Who in its right business mind and most importantly, why, a company is willing to commit to a 3-year drilling contract at a certain operating loss? The basic reasoning is evading my understanding. It doesn't make any sense. To paraphrase Galileo Galilei "and yet it moves", I would say, and yet offshore drillers do it.

First topic: What is the actual average day rates for Semisubmersibles and Drillships. According to IHS Markit.

Day rates are quite constant since October 2016 which is a sign that we are now at breakeven level.

As an example, let's calculate a breakeven cost using Transocean, which is the leader in this sector. I took this table from my article about Transocean 4Q'16 results. If you want to read it please click here.

Day rate for RIG fleet.

Dayrate

2016 Estimated

$K/d

4Q'16

$k/d

3Q'16

$k/d

2Q'16

$k/d

1Q'16

$k/d

4Q'15

$k/d

3Q'15

$K/d

2Q'15

$K/d

4Q'14

$k/d

Operating and Maintenance expenses were $314 million in 4Q'16 and total revenues were $974 million for the same period. Operating and maintenance expenses are 32.2% of the total revenues. I do not even talk about the debt here...

I we apply to the average day rate 4Q'16 for UDW we have a breakeven price per day of, $490,600/d x 32.2% = $158,000/d

Thus, I consider that $158k/d is a good estimate of what could be considered as "breakeven operating price" for a drillship in 2017, in general. This simple calculation justifies the day rate offered by Transocean for the three drillships at $167k/d including tax.

Transocean offers its service at breakeven operating costs for 3-years. Now, how can Vantage drilling Inc., or Sevan Drilling can justify such day rate?

I am sure, many will find a way to justify this move, but, the fact of the matter is that the companies working for ONGC will consistently lose money, and for the next three years, period.

The Industry is not thinking straight, in my judgment. The price war has gone too far, and should not be even tolerated.

Risks of labor abuse and all kinds of neglect of basic maintenance costs may result to catastrophic hiccup down the road. The Industry should meet and create a minimum guideline with a minimum viable day rate under which it is not allowed to go.

Important note: Do not forget to follow me on SDRL and other offshore drillers. Thank you.

Disclosure: I am/we are long RIG AND OTHERS.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Editor's Note: This article covers one or more stocks trading at less than $1 per share and/or with less than a $100 million market cap. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.

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Seadrill - 3 Offshore Drillers Poised To Win The 3 ONGC 3-Year Tenders - Is It Really Worth It? - Seeking Alpha

Offshore wind developers talk plans to bring first wind farm to Maryland’s coast – ABC2 News

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LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, Md. - Offshore wind developers discussed plans to bring wind farming to Maryland Tuesday.

The Business Network for Offshore Wind (the Network) sponsored a breakfast to introduce Deepwater Wind and US Wind to industry leaders.

The developers submitted proposals to the Maryland Public Service Commission to build the first offshore wind farm off Maryland's coast.

Offshore wind power is inevitable. If we want to meet our clean energy goals, if we want to hedge our bets against fossil fuel volatility, if we also want to have the lights come on around the most congested areas where the load centers are (which are our coast) then we have to have offshore wind, said Liz Burdock, the executive director at Business Network for Offshore Wind.

In Maryland, offshore wind is much more powerful than onshore wind, and in 2013, the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act was passed creating subsidies for offshore wind facilities.

The application process opened last year and this year, the Maryland Public Service Commission will review and potentially approve one of the two projects.

We've proposed the Skipjack Wind Farm, which is a 120 megawatt project that's located 17 miles off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. It'll consist of 15 wind turbines and it'll produce enough power for about 35,000 Maryland homes, said Clint Plummer, the vice-president of development for Deepwater Wind.

Deepwater Wind is the developer of Americas first offshore wind farm launched off Block Island in Rhode Island last December. Also competing for approval is U.S. Wind.

This is a huge economic development project, which will employ 5,000 or more people over the course of a generation as we not only build our project but build out the Port of Baltimore and Ocean City to support projects up and down the east coast, said Paul Rich, the project development director for U.S. Wind.

Part of the financing for the projects will come from Marylanders who pay for public utilities. The act made available up to $1.9 billion in financing, but it also put a cap on the monthly charge to consumers.

The Maryland law establishes a cap of no more than $1.50 per customer per month, said Plummer.

However, rate payers won't see an increase in their bills until the turbines start spinning and that's not anticipated til around 2022. Proponents of the projects also call it a nominal fee for something that will potentially change the way Americans generate power.

The opportunity to bring a Silicon Valley of offshore wind is very real and we need to seize this opportunity as Marylanders, Rich said.

Packed house for @DeepwaterWind @uswindinc breakfast meeting #moveosw pic.twitter.com/1Vqbv1n8fM

According to officials, The Northeast regional pipeline of offshore wind would create about 75,000 jobs.

The meeting was held at the Maritime Conference Center Maritime Institute.

There will be two public hearings on the proposed projects. The first will be on Saturday, March 25, beginning at noon in the cafeteria of Stephen Decatur Middle School located at 9815SeahawkRoad, Berlin, Maryland 21811. The second hearing will be held on Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m. in the Joint Committee Hearing Room in the Legislative Services Building located at 90 State Circle, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

The Public Service Commission is expected to make a decision on May 17, 2017.

The first offshore wind project was installed in Denmark in 1991.

Download theABC2News app for theiPhone,KindleandAndroid

WMAR Staff contributed to this report.

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Offshore wind developers talk plans to bring first wind farm to Maryland's coast - ABC2 News

Teekay Corporation (TK) and Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO) Announce Changes to Boards of Directors – StreetInsider.com

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Teekay Corporation (NYSE: TK), and Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (NYSE: TOO) today announced the following changes to their respective Boards of Directors:

"I am very pleased that Bill Utt will be taking over the Chairmanship of both the Teekay and Teekay Offshore Boards of Directors," commented Mr. Day. "After 18 years chairing the Teekay Corporation Board, and 11 years chairing the Teekay Offshore Board, I believe now is the right time for me to pass on the Board leadership to Bill, who has extensive experience in the energy industry and an appreciation of Teekay's culture." Mr. Day continued, "Since joining the Teekay Board in 2015, Bill has brought his deep project management knowledge to bear on Board deliberations and I have no doubt he will lead with enthusiasm and skill in his new role. I remain committed to both Teekay and Teekay Offshore and am pleased to continue serving as a Board member of each entity and offer my support to Bill, Teekay CEO Kenneth Hvid, and the rest of the Teekay team."

Mr. Utt responded "I am honored to succeed Sean as Chair of both the Teekay Corporation Board and the Teekay Offshore Board. Sean has done an excellent job of leading the Board and I am delighted that he will continue to serve on the Board as I take on this important leadership role."

Mr. Axel Karlshoej, Chairman Emeritus of the Teekay Corporation Board and brother of the founder, Torben Karlshoej, said, "I want to thank Sean for his extraordinary leadership over the past 18 years. During his tenure, he has overseen enormous growth in the Teekay Group, including the establishment Teekay LNG Partners L.P., Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. and Teekay Tankers Ltd. In each case, he has been instrumental in establishing strong, cohesive boards with a focus on corporate governance best practices. I am pleased that Bill Utt has agreed to take on the Chairmanship of both the Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore Boards. Bill has been a strong contributor to the Teekay Board since he joined in December 2015 and I am confident that his expertise and strong leadership skills make him an excellent successor to Sean Day."

Mr. Utt has been a Teekay Board member since December 2015, and has over 30 years of engineering and energy industry experience. Until his retirement in 2014, he served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of KBR Inc., a global engineering, construction and services company. Before that, Mr. Utt served as the President and CEO of SUEZ Energy North America and President and CEO of Tractebel's North American energy businesses. Mr. Utt also currently serves as Chairman on the Board of Directors at Cobalt International Energy, a position he has held since June 2016, and is a member of the Board of Directors for Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, a Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC portfolio company.

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Teekay Corporation (TK) and Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO) Announce Changes to Boards of Directors - StreetInsider.com

V.Ships Offshore adds another with Ultra Deep Solutions management deal – Splash 247

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March 8th, 2017 Grant Rowles Asia, Offshore, Operations 0 comments

V.Ships Offshore, part of V.Group, has tied up a contract with Singapores Ultra Deep Solutions for the full technical and crew management of high spec dive support vessel Lichtenstein.

The vessel is due to join the Ultra Deep Solutions fleet this month, having been acquired recently from China Merchants Industry Holding after the original order for the vessel was cancelled by Thailands Mermaid Maritime.

Shel Hutton, chief executive officer Ultra Deep Solutions, commented: We thank V.Ships for signing the contract with Ultra Deep Solutions. With their vast experience in offshore subsea management, we look forward to this great opportunity to work closely with them on our fleet of vessels.

The vessel will be managed by the V.Ships Offshore office in Singapore and continues a good run for V.Ships in the large offshore vessel sector. They are good and are picking up all the big boats. They now have the Pride with Fortress, the Amazon with McDermott and now the Lichtenstein, an industry observer in Singapore told Splash.

Ultra Deep Solutionshas four vessels on order and Hutton recently told Splash the company islooking to sign another three to four contracts in the coming 12 months.

Grant Rowles

Grant spent nine years at Informa Group based in London, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore. He gained strong management experience in publishing, conferences and awards schemes in the shipping and legal areas, working on a number of titles including Lloyd's List. In 2009 Grant joined Seatrade responsible for the commercial development of Seatrades Asia products. In 2012, with Sam Chambers, he co-founded Asia Shipping Media.

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Drama on the high seas: East Kilbride couple reveal dramatic rescue after boat sinks in Gulf – Scottish Daily Record

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An East Kilbride couple have told of their dramatic rescue at sea after their boat ran aground off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

Steve Mackay, a former St Brides High School pupil, and his partner Elizabeth Anne Jamieson, from Westwood, were in the Gulf filming a documentary kayak4kuwait as part of the K20 Expedition.

The pair followed three kayakers who paddled more than 2300 kilometres in 90 days from Kuwait to Oman to highlight sea pollution and its impact on the marine environment.

However, Steve and Elizabeth Anne, both 45, ended up getting more than they bargained for in treacherous seas when their ship, The Katherina, struck rocks off the coast off the UAE.

They led the evacuation from the listing ship, plunging into rough seas, and were eventually picked up by the UAE military and coastguard.

The drama didnt end there as their second yacht, The Aquarius, was battered for weeks by storms in the Gulf.

Even then there was further drama when rigging on the yachts mast snapped and the boat had to limp back to the nearest port.

Steve, who is a documentary-maker and cameraman, met Elizabeth Anne when he helped organise and film a fundraiser.

He was director of photography during the three-month expedition, which began last November, while Elizabeth Anne acted as camera operator.

However, after just five days aboard The Katherina, events took a dramatic turn.

It was absolutely terrifying, Steve said. There were moments I questioned if I was going to make it out alive.

We obviously realised we had struck rocks but panic really set in when the ship began to list. Its not until youre in that situation you know how youll react.

Initially, Elizabeth Anne and I drank coffee on deck and remained calm but once we started feeling the ship listing and heard the crashing of dishes and fridges toppling over inside as we were waiting to be rescued, I definitely felt the fear.

Elizabeth Anne probably handled it better than me. One of the crew knelt on deck praying. Even the coastguard didnt know what to do until we took the decision to jump into the sea.

When it was clear we were going down, Elizabeth Anne jumped into the rough seas first, swimming through diesel and wreckage, and I followed, before we were picked up and flown to Qatar.

A huge salvage operation resumed the following morning without success and within days The Katherina was torn apart by unforgiving seas just before Christmas.

Steve said: It was emotional leaving the boat behind as it becomes home and a part of you. She was a beautiful yacht.

The whole experience was extremely emotional, not to mention humbling. But I would be lying if I said it wasnt also a little exhilarating.

Having been rescued and checked over by medics, the East Kilbride couple, along with the rest of the expedition, regrouped and boarded The Aquarius early in the new year.

But having survived one dramatic experience, the couple couldnt believe it when they ran into trouble once again.

Steve said: Our hearts were in our mouths when the wires holding the mast started snapping and the mast became loose.

It could have gone either way. I was standing there filming and could not believe we were in this position again.

This time we were facing storms, deep water, no VHF radio and the life-jackets were under the mast in the crew quarters.

We all froze but somehow the captain steered the ailing yacht back to port. Again we were very, very lucky.

One of the group was swept out to sea when filming underwater and had to swim a mile to shore in dangerous currents to survive.

The documentary, which has now been released, saw Steve and Elizabeth Anne explore the coastline from cityscapes, mountains, beaches, deserts, mangroves and come across an abundance of wildlife and marine life along the way.

And they were welcomed by everyone from village folk to dignitaries during the expedition.

Steve said: It was an amazing experience and one we wont forget in a hurry being on a sinking ship wasnt part of the plan but Elizabeth Anne and I are just so thankful it wasnt much worse.

The expedition and documentary have generated so much interest that there are now proposals for a TV series in Alaska or the Amazon and I am looking for investors and sponsors for what would be another amazing project designed to help safeguard the environment for generations to come.

To get involved in Steves project, call 07793 009998.

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Drama on the high seas: East Kilbride couple reveal dramatic rescue after boat sinks in Gulf - Scottish Daily Record

Bhang Travel Inc. Brings Cannabis Networking to the High Seas – PR Web (press release)

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First Caribbean Cannabis Cruise

Miami, Florida (PRWEB) March 08, 2017

Bhang Travel Inc., the Cannabis Industries Premiere Travel and Event Agency, presents the first Cannabis Networking Cruise from Miami, Florida on October 21st 28th2017. Bhang will bring together industry experts, professionals and enthusiasts for five days of cannabis-infused fun at the Annual Caribbean Cannabis Cruise!

The six-day cruise will include many of the standard features of a cannabis conference. There will be workshops and seminars that include cultivators, dispensary owners, and healthcare professionals. There will be cocktail mixers where cannabis professionals and people interested in the industry can forge long standing relationships. There will also be a trade show where high-end cannabis companies can educate people about their products and services, and an excursion in Jamaica to Bob Marleys birthplace and/or Rasta Festival.

Included are all of the amenities normally on board a cruise ship, the private Bhang attendees-only cocktail parties, seminars, workshops, trade-show, and the excursion to a working cannabis farm and/or Bob Marleys birthplace in Jamaica. Cabins are limited and start under $1000 per person for a double occupancy.

Bhang Travel Inc. is quickly becoming the go-to cannabis event travel promoter in the industry. Bhang Travel specializes in combining international cannabis-friendly destinations with industry experts and cannabis enthusiasts for an amazing adventure with cannabis on land and at sea. Our events includeTurks & Caicos Health & Wellness Cruise, Alaska, Pacific Coast, Costa Rico, Spain, all-inclusive trips to existing events and festivals, special events to international destinations, our Annual Caribbean Cannabis Cruise and so much more.

"It brings together amazing people in the industry, in cannabis friendly destinations, aboard world class ships, it's really an amazing experience," says owner Candice A. Marschke. "It's something unique to offer to a community that has similar values and interests while educating them about the many benefits of cannabis, while interacting with industry insiders on board luxury full service cruise ships. Look for continuing education credits coming in the future as well. This is just the beginning of an amazing opportunity to be a part of something that is life-changing, and for some, lifesaving!

Visithttp://www.bhangtravel.com or call (954) 900-6100to learn more about how to Travel With Bhang.

Candice A. Marschke is a Solutions Architect by day and the founder of Women Grow South Florida and Bhang Travel Inc. Kathleen M. Isoldi owner of Quality Insurance Group, specializing in Cannabis Insurance, founder of Women Grow South Florida and Bhang Travel Inc.

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Bhang Travel Inc. Brings Cannabis Networking to the High Seas - PR Web (press release)

Top 10 Most Densely-Populated Countries in Europe – JetPunk

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(71)

Almost didn't get the 2 biggest countries on here, since everything else is way smaller!

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Oct 24, 2016

(41)

haha me too

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Dec 7, 2016

(44)

Missed Netherlands :I

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Dec 7, 2016

(53)

Amusingly, due to its size the population density of the Vatican (1,818/km2) is higher than its actual population of approx 850-1000.

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Dec 7, 2016

(68)

It's not. Just the first number in the density figure is higher. If you divide it by square km, then it's the same.

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Dec 7, 2016

(68)

Kind of like saying 6/3 is more than 2. It's the same number.

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Dec 7, 2016

(42)

He is saying that the population of 1 square kilometer with the Vatican City's density is greater than the population of the Vatican City. I found this fascinating as well, Corrode.

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Dec 7, 2016

(54)

Yep, only .44 sq km.

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Dec 7, 2016

(62)

No to be fair I see what Corrode's getting at. Yeah it's mathematically obvious, but it's still a funny reflection on how tiny the Vatican is.

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Dec 7, 2016

(68)

Surprised theres no Andorra

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Dec 7, 2016

(52)

Me too. It's the only one of the micronations missing. I imagine that, because it's smack in the middle of the mountains, it can't accommodate a high population density.

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Dec 7, 2016

(44)

But Liechtenstein is also in the middle of the mountains. Andorra is actually about 3 times bigger than Liechtenstein in area but less than twice as many people.

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Dec 7, 2016

(44)

Done all the micro countries (and others), was just a matter of guessing until I finally got Belgium and Netherlands xD 0:23 left

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Dec 7, 2016

(53)

Haha got UK with 1 second left, man UK and Germany were just not even on my radar

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Dec 7, 2016

(41)

wow, too easy 🙂 1:28 on the clock

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Dec 8, 2016

(47)

Not seeing andorra on these lists make me feel incomplete...

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Dec 8, 2016

(42)

I agree.

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Dec 19, 2016

(34)

How didn't I get Luxembourg?!

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Feb 12, 2017

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Top 10 Most Densely-Populated Countries in Europe - JetPunk

Is Clallam opening the door to tiny houses? | Sequim Gazette – Sequim Gazette

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Some residents across the North Olympic Peninsula are considering downsizing their homes as the tiny house market slowly makes its way here.

For those unfamiliar, tiny houses are a movement where individuals or even families choose to live in a custom home typically 200-1,000 square feet. They can be mobile or permanent.

The concept has been put in the mainstream with television shows and growing media coverage.

Jefferson County and Olympia currently are the closest efforts to develop tiny houses as affordable housing and/or as extensions of homeless tent camps.

But in the Sequim area, city and county officials say theres only been interest as of late and no action.

Sequims Assistant City Manager Joe Irvin said city staff have received several inquiries about zoning regulations related to tiny houses and accessory dwelling units, small homes behind existing homes, but no development proposals have been made yet.

I think it is good for communities to offer a range of housing types, therefore giving our residents a choice, Irvin said. If the market exists for tiny houses, Im sure someone will try to meet the demand.

Irvin said permanent tiny houses are allowed in the R4-R8 zoning district, which is throughout the City of Sequim in residential neighborhoods. However, mobile RV type tiny homes on wheels are allowed in RV parks, similar to travel trailers.

Mary Ellen Winborn, Clallam County director of community development, said interest in tiny houses is there and planners treat it similarly to an RV when zoning it.

She said staff plan to discuss the concept for possible changes in the next six months with the countys permit advisory board.

Were more focused on safety and certification, she said. Nobody is stopping any (type of development).

To build a tiny house within the city limits, Irvin said the basic requirements include being in compliance with the International Building Code and connection to city utility services.

State law mandates tiny houses must be hooked up to a permanent septic or sewer hook-up and have a permanent water source similar to park model homes. The homes also must have at least one habitable room, a ceiling at least 7 feet high and an egress door with a single hinge providing a clear width of 32 inches.

Jeffcos tiny houses

Zoning for tiny houses already is underway in Jefferson County.

In 2015, The Port Townsend Leader reported the Port Townsend Affordable Housing Action Group built a tiny house in the hopes of building future tiny house developments in Jefferson County. The idea was for a cost-effective model of a 250-square-foot house with an estimated cost of $5,000-$6,000 to build each unit.

Barbara Morey, a housing advocate for the affordable housing group, said the organization started developing tiny houses as a solution to the housing crisis in Jefferson County.

She said her group reviewed several studies in areas of the United States that concluded villages of tiny houses of less than 250 square feet were an effective model for providing subsidized, supportive housing and a tool to address both homelessness and the lack of affordable housing.

Morey said the City of Port Townsend has permitted the building of three tiny houses on property in the Eco Village, which provides new low-income, affordable housing units in an intentional community in Port Townsend.

Potential tiny house owners are being interviewed, she said.

Tiny house owners may build or bring their homes to the sites, which cost $300 per month including utilities.

Some social service representatives say tiny houses could help combat homelessness.

Homelessness in Clallam County is rising in recent years, according to the Point in Time (PIT) count. The total of homeless individuals increased by 117 persons from 2015-2016, including both sheltered and unsheltered individuals. The number of unsheltered individuals alone also increased from 41 to 105 from 2015-2016.

During a panel discussion on homelessness in February, Kathy Morgan of OlyCAP said tiny houses would only be one solution to house homeless individuals, but it has worked in big ways in different communities that have established tiny home communities.

Kevin Harkins of Serenity House said tiny houses may only work for certain individuals, such as veterans and people who have social issues.

While staff for these entities dont have a plan in place for tiny houses, Morgan said Quixote Village in Olympia is a good example of tiny houses used to help those in need.

Once a homeless tent camp, Quixote Village consists of 30 tiny house cottages and a community center.

Community Framework, a charitable nonprofit organization that supports and develops affordable housing in vital communities, conducted a study on the village in 2015 arguing that tiny houses can be effective in combating homelessness.

The study states most of the residents in this village meet the Department of Housing and Urban Developments definition of chronic homelessness.

The 30 cottages are 144 square feet and include half a bathroom plus a closet, with a front porch and garden area. The village also has a community building with a kitchen, bathing facilities, recreational and social service space.

Community Frameworks study states most of the capital funding for a tiny house village would need to be in the form of grants instead of loans because the project would not generate enough rental income to support debt service.

As for proposed tiny houses in Port Townsend, officials with the City of Port Townsend report work continues and no building permits have been submitted for tiny houses as of March 7.

Matthew Nash contributed to this report.

Reach Erin Hawkins at ehawkins@sequimgazette.com.

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Is Clallam opening the door to tiny houses? | Sequim Gazette - Sequim Gazette

Sometimes the Grass Really is Greener – Memphis Democrat

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A few weeks after the prairie burn. Photo by Lucas.

I love the month of March. Every year, as winter cold dissolves into spring, I find myself amazed at the sheer heartiness and determination it must take for plants and animals to survive a climate that turns against them for months on end. Im reminded of the creativity and strength of will our ancestors must have had to possess in order to survive and thrive without so many of the technological advances we enjoy today.

Lucas here, contemplating the spirit of the grass as it sprouts up through the scorched landscape of a recent prescribed burn site here at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage.

Its odd to see the charred landscape with such a subtle veneer of green, fading in and out as I walk along the path. The black and green contrast creates a stunning effect, almost like ocean waves, washing up and down the rolling hills. Brutal destruction, softened by the presence of the next generation, an unbroken chain of survival and balance that stems back millions of years.

Of course, this particular bout of destruction is designed to have an overall positive effect for the land, boosting native wildflower populations and ensuring a suitable habitat for all the little brush-dwellers. A bittersweet prescription for the health of the system as a whole.

Therein lies an analogy. Our environment is the basis upon which we survive. Everything weve accomplished, good, bad, and in between, has taken place within a climate and environment that is stable and relatively predictable. Its important for us to gather as much information about our atmosphere as we can, and respond when the data shows trouble on the horizon. Weve done it before with CFCs in the 1980s and 90s, and now were finding out that weve been poking a bigger, badder beast, and for much longer.

The diagnosis and prescription suggested by those working in the field of climate science, taking the measurements and crunching the numbers, is also bittersweet. I count myself fortunate to have friends and neighbors who are willing to hear and respond to these warnings by adjusting how we live our everyday lives.

Unfortunately, its going to take much more than a few folks, or a few communities to tackle our dependence on fossil fuels. Its going to take the majority of us, reaching back and finding some of that collective ancient creativity and determination to carve a more sustainable path forward. I consider my time here at Dancing Rabbit to be another form of service to my country, as helping tend the flame of sustainable living until folks figure out just how vital these strategies are.

And people are figuring it outover the last couple of years Ive been here Ive had numerous conversations with not only some of the visitors, but some of my military friends as well. Ive watched as some of my friends and family have come to understand the severity of the situation, and watched opinions shift in ways I didnt think possible. As a result, Ive become more confident that, given time, the argument for sustainable living will only become stronger and more persuasive.

Im also realizing that I am not solely responsible for convincing and changing the world; I can only take responsibility for changing myself, and doing it well enough that others can incorporate those strategies when they choose to.

I have no doubt that over the course of the next few decades, demonstration projects and communities like Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage will be integral in developing and demonstrating practical solutions.

Like the brilliant green grass poking through scorched Earth.

Until then, well be here, experimenting, learning, and teaching as though our lives depended on it. Indeed, they might, soon.

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community and educational nonprofit outside Rutledge, focused on demonstrating sustainable living possibilities. Public tours are offered April October on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. In the meantime you can find out more about us by checking out our website, http://www.dancingrabbit.org, calling the office at (660) 883-5511, or emailing us at dancingrabbit@ic.org.

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Sometimes the Grass Really is Greener - Memphis Democrat