"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote in message
...
Ive read a few accounts, mainly from around 1900, of people using oil to
calm the seas.

In detail, the oil was usually some sort of fish oil, or oil from a seal
or such and was put into a hessian bag or similar filled with rags. The
'oil bag' was then tied to the vessel and thrown overboard. Ive only ever
read of it being done while hove to.

Has anyone ever seen or heard of this being done in modern times? I
really cant understand the logic behind it or see what it would to so calm
seas.... any enlightenment welcomed ;-)

Shaun



If you try it don't forget your MARPOL sticker... and the oil placard....

http://www.uscg.mil/d1/staff/oan/nav...Protection.PDF

OIL POLLUTION COMPLIANCE WITH THE

FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION ACT

The Federal Water Pollution Act prohibits discharges of

harmful quantities of oil into U. S. navigable waters or

adjoining shorelines. Further, the person in charge of a vessel

or facility that discharges oil in violation of the Act is required

to notify the Coast Guard's National Response Center at (800)

424-8802 as soon as he or she has knowledge of the spill.

The penalty for illegal discharges is a civil penalty of up to

$125,000 against the owner, operator, or person in charge of

the source. Failure to notify the Coast Guard of a discharge is

punishable by a criminal penalty of fines or up to 5 years

imprisonment or both, against the person in charge of the

source.

The owner or operator of the source of a discharge is also

liable for all removal costs, as well as claims of loss or injury by

third parties.

Harmful quantities of oil have been defined by the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as those that violate

applicable water quality standards or cause a film or sheen on

the surface of the water, or cause a sludge or emulsion to be

deposited beneath the surface of the water or on adjoining

shorelines.

Discharge of oil placards must be at least 5" x 8" and fixed in a

conspicuous place in each machinery space, or at the bilge and

ballast pump control station. Placards must be printed in the

language or languages understood by the crew.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com