Thanks to Bob at BoatBits for the link.

I posted the press release about the new ACR AquaLink PLBs last month. I don’t own a PLB yet, but this one has just about tipped the balance for me. I’m not likely to carry an EPIRB on my little boat, but I can imagine packing one of these along while voyaging, and also while exploring ashore.

I just got a link to this video about it, which is pretty helpful, especially if you’re not really sure what a PLB is and how they work.

Sure, there are less expensive PLBs on the market, but ACR has been building all kinds of marine safety gear for a LONG time, and enjoys an enviable reputation for quality, service, and reliability.

For those of you who will attend the big Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, you can see the AquaLink PLB, along with the newly released GlobalFix PRO EPIRB, at Booth #441-442 during the course of the show.

[Here's the kind of story Navagear readers are now missing out on, because I don't run these here! I run them over at my new blog, Puget Sound Maritime. Anyway, I figure some of you maritime geeks would find this interesting nonetheless. —Tim]

The U.S. Navy wants to use Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions in Puget Sound to protect against terrorists along Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor on Hood Canal. The Navy-trained dolphins would find threatening divers, then make way for deep-diving California sea lions to clamp a cuff around the intruder’s ankle.

Michelle Ma has the story in the Seattle Times. With Navy-supplied video!

In the past, I’ve featured Coast Guard rescue videos here on Navagear, even though they are somewhat “off-topic”.

With the launch of our new sister blog, Puget Sound Maritime, it’s no longer necessary to stray off topic here to cover regional incidents we find compelling.

Except that you folks might miss out on some amazing content!

Such as the Coast Guard’s response to the current flooding we’re experiencing. Check over at Puget Sound Maritime to catch up on the latest videos from the Coast Guard’s 13th District.

I’ll continue to remind readers about Puget Sound Maritime periodically, just as I intend to direct PSM readers over to Navagear when one of our stories here might be particularly relevant to both audiences.

In case you couldn’t find just the right item on Navagear’s Holiday Gift Guide, maybe this will help.

It’s the VideoRay Scout, a Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) with onboard video camera. Heck, this might just fill the gap until I can afford my own personal mini-submarine.

The Scout is VideoRay’s entry-level model, and includes the 8-pound submersible with color video camera, control box with 7-inch LCD color display, 130 feet of neutrally buoyant tether, manual, and tool kit. All components fit neatly in a watertight, rolling Pelican case that fits easily in the trunk of a car or in airline luggage compartments. The entire system, including case, weighs 70 lbs and costs around $6000.

Oh, what could you DO with a VideoRay? Um…lots of stuff! You know, look at things. Underwater things. I figure I need it to check anchor sets with my new Rocna anchor. Actually, Tim from gCaptain spoke recently with Brian Luzzi, Sales & Marketing Coordinator of VideoRay, and learned a lot about how these units are being used.

That’s where I found this great video, by the way. Thanks, gCaptain!

If this stuff really works as advertised, it’s going to be very very popular. The product is called Golden Shellback, and it claims to be…well…read for yourself:

Golden Shellback coating is a unique coating that protects critical operational equipment against damage and loss of function caused by exposure to weather and moisture. It is ideal for application in the electronics industry.

Golden Shellback coating produces a vacuum deposited film that is nonflammable, has low toxicity and has the ability to weatherproof electronic devices and other surfaces. It contains no volatile organic combustibles (VOCs). The clear, nearly non-detectable, uniform film is insoluble in solvents. When applied to clean, moisture free surfaces, such as plastic, copper, aluminum, metal, ceramic, steel, tin or glass, the coating is transparent with excellent weather proofing and anti-corrosion properties.

I have to say, it’s difficult to believe that it works, especially at the prices being discussed ($50-$75 for most phone/PDA devices) but people I take seriously say they’ve seen it with their own eyes, and it’s not a trick.

I’ll be keeping an eye on this. So will Ben over at Panbo.

For readers from far away, Seafair is Seattle’s big summertime festival, with lots of events ashore and afloat. It’s a big deal around here.

We’re fascinated by electric outboard motors that can really be used as primary propulsion. Check out our video demonstration of the Torqeedo, for example. 

So look what I spotted over at Craft-A-Craft: a video demonstration of the EPower Marine Whisper XT Electric Outboard. Nice!

I look forward to learning more about this product. To get started, though, here’s a fact sheet in PDF format.

Behold the Nantucket Bagg. It’s a “multi-purpose tool bag that’s reversible and convertible.” I saw these over at Fisheries Supply the other day, and I’m impressed.

When I’ve got a project on the boat, I usually use a plastic bucket to haul my tools, materials, and supplies. But I’m not really very happy with this solution, and I’ve often thought about purchasing some sort of soft canvas “tool bucket.”

The Nantucket Bagg looks like an excellent design. I spent some time playing with it, and I’ll admit I was confused by the zipper at first. But once I figured it out, I realized how clever it actually is.

(more…)

These are almost always interesting. Thanks to gCaptain for pointing us to this one.