From the Boathouse: Technology changes life on the water
Ahoy!
Change is inevitable, as we can note from the recent midterm elections, and I think most changes are for the better as we progress. The marine industry is changing dramatically with new innovations and technology, from integrated navigation systems to joystick-assisted docking to unmanned boats.
However, I do wonder about some changes to the staff on the cruise ship the Quantum of the Seas. This ship, known for its technological innovations, is Royal Caribbean’s newest ship and just days away from sailing. The change that puzzles me is the lack of a human bartender at one of the bars aboard.
The human bartender has been replaced with a robotic bartending system that uses two mechanical arms to mix a cocktail. To place a drink order, you input your selection into a tablet device.
I worry about the loss of human connection. And the attempt to make the robot human-like, with arms that are supposed to imitate the moves of a bartender when making drinks, just doesn’t cut it for me.
Another major change in the marine environment is the activation of sound signals on coastal aids to navigation. The Coast Guard is planning to install mariner radio-activated sound signals (MRASS) on the Redondo Beach east jetty light 2 and the Marina del Rey light 3 this month.
Boaters will be able to activate the MRASS-equipped locations through their marine band VHF radios by keying the microphone five times on channel 81A. This is another reason for all boaters to carry a marine radio. Also, this will help activate the sound signals, which most people know as the harbors’ fog signals, heard even if there is no fog.
Additionally, the Coast Guard is planning to install MRASS devices on the Newport Bay west jetty light 3, Port Hueneme light, Dana Point breakwater light 3, Anaheim Bay west jetty light 5, Alamitos Bay west jetty light 1, Redondo Beach east jetty light 2, Marina Del Rey light 3, Channel Islands Harbor south jetty light 2 and Ventura Marina south jetty light 6.
Learn more in the Local Notice to Mariners at navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm11432014.pdf or by contacting LTJG Leslie Stenkamp at (510) 437-5984 or Leslie.A.Stenkamp@uscg.mil.
News of the week is that I have received emails asking what happened to the Strictly Sail Long Beach Boat Show, which is usually held in the fall. The National Marine Manufacturers Assn. has hoisted the anchor on the Strictly Sail show and sailed off over the horizon.
The sailboat show will be incorporated into the association’s two other shows in Southern California starting in 2015. Renamed SailFest, it will debut in February at the Los Angeles Boat Show and again in June at the San Diego International Boat Show. I am expecting to see a version of SailFest at the National Marine Manufacturers Assn.’s San Francisco Boat Show in January as well.
Lastly, I want to send congratulations to Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, a longtime boater who personally changed the boating lifestyle with his Duffy electric boats. Duffield has unseated incumbent Newport Beach Mayor Rush Hill in the District 3 council race. I look forward to Duffield’s positive ideas for Newport Harbor and boaters.
As always, just keep an eye to the weather for any changes. Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, please boat responsibly and look behind you before you turn the wheel at the helm.
The original boating program, “Boathouse TV & Radio Shows,” has stretched coast-to-coast for more than two decades. See the details at https://www.boathousetv.com, https://www.facebook.com/boathouseradio and https://www.twitter.com/boathouseradio.
Safe voyages!
MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to https://www.boathousetv.com.