using oil to calm the seas
 

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

using oil to calm the seas
 

"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

using oil to calm the seas
 

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


Nah, people used oil up through the '60s. In fact one of the eary
trans-Atlantic singlehand racers wrote of asking a freighter to pump
some oil for him in a storm.

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.


Sure, because the oil slick is going to blow slowly to leeward. It will
only help if you are in the slick... or better yet, slightly to leeward
of it.


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 ;-)


THe effect of "calming the seas" isn't so much making waves smaller as
keeping the tops of the waves from forming breakers. Higher surface
tension, lower wind friction, resulting in wave peaks that stay put
instead of rolling. Might not sound like much if you've never been in a
storm with rollers, but it does make a big difference.

Personally I would not like cleaning the oil off the boat afterwards,
but I guess that beats the alternative.

-signed- Injun Ear (formerly known as Eagle Eye)

using oil to calm the seas
 

Sure, it works. Captain Hazelwood swears by it.

SBV

"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

using oil to calm the seas
 

Scotty wrote:
Sure, it works. Captain Hazelwood swears by it.


Yeah, but he tried to use oil to calm the rocks, not the seas.

IE

using oil to calm the seas
 

using oil to calm the seas
 

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

They made it illegal in the United States. You can't have even a sheen on the water without
violating some law. That being said, it doesn't work anyway. It's an old salt urban legend. You
can see for yourself it doesn't work. Next time it's really windy and there's a lot of fetch and
there are giant seas built up put some oil out. Plain old diesel fuel works just fine. You'll see
all it does is remove the small ripples and feathering on the surface. It does nothing to reduce
the overall size of the waves. It's a local surface effect only.
It's just another example showing people don't think things out for themselves. They'd
rather listen to stuff that makes no sense at all. Duh!

Cheers,
Ellen

Cheers,
Ellen

using oil to calm the seas
 

"Nigel" wrote
Big fat Yank ignorance is on display again. They don't even know or
understand what is in the backyard of their fearless regime leader.
http://www.wtblock.com/wtblockjr/oilpond.htm . Face it fatties, the
Brits have been sailing for over 1000 years. It is about time to admit
that your sailing does not even measure up to what our tiny little
island has done and will continue to do. I just love rubbing the noses
of those Yanks in it.


Hey, Nigel, rub your nose in THIS points to her butt hole :-o~

Cheers,
Ellen

using oil to calm the seas
 

Nigel wrote:
[Default] On Thu, 4 Jan 2007 11:24:19 -0500, "Ellen MacArthur"
wrote:


"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote

Ive read a few accounts, mainly from around 1900, of people using oil to calm the seas.
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 ;-)

They made it illegal in the United States. You can't have even a sheen on the water without
violating some law. That being said, it doesn't work anyway. It's an old salt urban legend. You
can see for yourself it doesn't work. Next time it's really windy and there's a lot of fetch and
there are giant seas built up put some oil out. Plain old diesel fuel works just fine. You'll see
all it does is remove the small ripples and feathering on the surface. It does nothing to reduce
the overall size of the waves. It's a local surface effect only.
It's just another example showing people don't think things out for themselves. They'd
rather listen to stuff that makes no sense at all. Duh!

Cheers,
Ellen

Cheers,
Ellen



Big fat Yank ignorance is on display again. They don't even know or
understand what is in the backyard of their fearless regime leader.
http://www.wtblock.com/wtblockjr/oilpond.htm . Face it fatties, the
Brits have been sailing for over 1000 years. It is about time to admit
that your sailing does not even measure up to what our tiny little
island has done and will continue to do. I just love rubbing the noses
of those Yanks in it.

Nigel

Seeing that the majority of us carry you gene pool, you're rather
denigrating yourself....and when was it that Great Britain last won the
America's Cup? Good sailing has nothing to do with nationality. After
all, if you want to claim that, you would have to ackmowledge that the
French are better than the Crits.

using oil to calm the seas
 

Ellen MacArthur wrote:
"Nigel" wrote

Big fat Yank ignorance is on display again. They don't even know or
understand what is in the backyard of their fearless regime leader.
http://www.wtblock.com/wtblockjr/oilpond.htm . Face it fatties, the
Brits have been sailing for over 1000 years. It is about time to admit
that your sailing does not even measure up to what our tiny little
island has done and will continue to do. I just love rubbing the noses
of those Yanks in it.



Hey, Nigel, rub your nose in THIS points to her butt hole :-o~

Cheers,
Ellen


How very ladylike...but then, we all know you're no lady...Is your
middle name Nigel?

using oil to calm the seas
 

Shaun Van Poecke wrote:
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

Greetings Shawn;

It's a fact and works well in a localized area. Once while sunning
nude on deck with a sexy young lady we ended up slathering each other
and the decks with almost a gallon of Panama Jack's coconut baby oil.
We noticed abaft the beam in the direction of the current we caused a
nice rainbow oil sheen and the waves were noticeably less excited. Plus
some dolphins jumped and played in the sheen without harm.

Try it some day, but only use the proper oil.

Capt. American

using oil to calm the seas
 

I don't think it's still required, but when I first started sailing a
"Storm Oil" container was part of the lifeboat equipment. The oil itself
was either fish oil or vegetable oil and carried in a conical container
with petcocks at either end. This container was inserted into the sea
anchor which was also cone shaped with the apex cut out to accept it.
Never had to try it, but the affect was supposedly to calm the surface of
the seas you were encountering (as someone else has said).
Was actually on one ship which had a "storm oil" tank located in the bow
which was piped to drain over the side.
BTW, fish oil is still in use and acceptable (needs to be certified
"pure") though mainly used to lubricate and to a degree maintain, anchor
chain.

otn



"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote in
:

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

using oil to calm the seas
 

"otnmbrd" wrote
I don't think it's still required, but when I first started sailing a
"Storm Oil" container was part of the lifeboat equipment. The oil itself
was either fish oil or vegetable oil and carried in a conical container
with petcocks at either end. This container was inserted into the sea
anchor which was also cone shaped with the apex cut out to accept it.
Never had to try it, but the affect was supposedly to calm the surface of
the seas you were encountering (as someone else has said).
Was actually on one ship which had a "storm oil" tank located in the bow
which was piped to drain over the side.
BTW, fish oil is still in use and acceptable (needs to be certified
"pure") though mainly used to lubricate and to a degree maintain, anchor
chain.

Still believe in utter nonsense now that your older, OTN?
All ya have to do is think, man. The wind builds up large seas. They get big enough
the wind causes the crests to topple over. Stopping the wind is the only way to make the
seas go down. A little oil spread in a local area only makes the surface smoother. It
doesn't do anything about the size of the waves. Duh! It's the size of the waves that
makes them break. Not the ripples and ruffles on the surface.
Oil doesn't calm the seas. Oil only smooths the surface of the seas.

http://www.geocities.com/nelstomlins....appendix.html

exerpted: "20. The Effect Of Oil On Breaking Seas In Heavy Gales, And What Kind May Be Expected To Give The Best Result.
"If a vessel is hove to in the proper way under a sea anchor and riding sail she will only ship spray even in the
worst of gales. I was never particular about a few drops of water taken over, and therefore in small vessels, with a few
exceptions for experimenting purposes, and while on the Sea Queen in the first stage of the typhoon, I hardly ever used
oil during my cruises. However, throughout my five years of sealing in the North I employed oil on many different
occasions, and have found that that obtained from the fat of hair seals, fur seals, and sea lions gave the best results.
Next to this comes fish oil, which is nearly as satisfactory. The former is difficult to procure, while fish oil may be
bought in almost any port.
"To utilise a small quantity of oil to best advantage proceed as follows: A canvas bag a little smaller than a
fifty-pound flour bag is loaded with loose oakum, woollen rags or waste until about three parts full. A few small holes
are then punched through the bag and the whole is saturated with oil and tied up. After securing a lanyard and adding a
weight to prevent the bag from being blown back again, put it over the rail and lower to the water level; then make
fast.
"If your vessel is lying to a sea anchor and head on to the sea, put the bag over the bow. If she is hove to under
storm sails and makes a square drift, or nearly so, put it over the weather bow. If the vessel be a long one, place one
bag near the fore- and another one near the after- rigging.
"A ship's lifeboat loaded with passengers and hove to under sea anchor and riding sail with the additional help of
such an oil bag will lay dry and comfortable. On the other hand, when a vessel is lying to under storm sails or steam,
and reaches ahead, oil will be useless. It is only good, and certainly works wonders) when a vessel is allowed to drift
along with the wind and sea.
"Oil will also render good service in case of large vessels running straight before a bad sea. One bag is placed on
each side of the forward end while a long bight of a large rope is payed out over the stern and dragged along. By
allowing the vessel to go slow under small sail, or, still better, under bare poles, she is in this way quite safe and
may keep running before almost any gale as long as she steers well. The same course, when followed in the case of small
vessels, will likewise prove a great help. However, if you want to be on the safe side, "heave to.""

Cheers,
Ellen

using oil to calm the seas
 

On Thu, 4 Jan 2007 11:24:19 -0500, Ellen MacArthur wrote
(in article ews.net):


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

They made it illegal in the United States. You can't have even a sheen
on the water without
violating some law. That being said, it doesn't work anyway. It's an old salt

urban legend. You
can see for yourself it doesn't work. Next time it's really windy and there's

a lot of fetch and
there are giant seas built up put some oil out. Plain old diesel fuel works
just fine. You'll see
all it does is remove the small ripples and feathering on the surface. It
does nothing to reduce
the overall size of the waves. It's a local surface effect only.
It's just another example showing people don't think things out for
themselves. They'd
rather listen to stuff that makes no sense at all. Duh!

Cheers,
Ellen

Cheers,
Ellen



Actually it does work. We are not talking about pouring oil over the side by
the gallon either. When I fished commercially there where times, because we
were at sea for weeks at a time, that we ended up in adverse weather.
Although this is not something that was done to intentionally stop waves from
breaking there was that occasional bilge letting that would give the same
result. The boat adrift generally outpaced the slick and we would observe a
noticeable difference of a lack of peaks inside the slick. The other times I
have observed the same effect where as a kid working on my dads boat and
chumming with ground up bunkers for bluefish. The fish oil was always nice
and smooth regardless of the surrounding areas.

--
Mundo, The Captain who is a bully and an ass

using oil to calm the seas
 

"Mundo" wrote

Actually it does work.

Your wrong. It doesn't work to calm the seas. What's the definition of "Seas"?
They are large waves. Oil can do nothing about calming large waves. Oil only calms the
surface of large waves. The large wave under the surface remains the same.
Oil reduces spray from the wind is all. Duh! Use your head you bully and an ass....

Cheers,
Ellen

using oil to calm the seas
 

On Thu, 4 Jan 2007 17:12:04 -0500, Ellen MacArthur wrote
(in article ews.net):


"Mundo" wrote

Actually it does work.

Your wrong. It doesn't work to calm the seas. What's the definition of
"Seas"?
They are large waves. Oil can do nothing about calming large waves. Oil only
calms the
surface of large waves. The large wave under the surface remains the same.
Oil reduces spray from the wind is all. Duh! Use your head you bully and

an ass....

Cheers,
Ellen



When actually working under those conditions you will appreciate the lack of
spray from the cresting waves. There are those that teach and those that do.
I suggest you start doing and stop teaching. You might learn somethin' mam'

--
Mundo, The Captain who is a bully and an ass

using oil to calm the seas
 

"Ellen MacArthur" wrote
Your wrong. It doesn't work to calm the seas. What's the definition of
"Seas"?
They are large waves. Oil can do nothing about calming large waves. Oil only
calms the
surface of large waves.


Mundo wrote:
When actually working under those conditions you will appreciate the lack of
spray from the cresting waves. There are those that teach and those that do.
I suggest you start doing and stop teaching. You might learn somethin' mam'


Well let's see... on the one hand, we have a fake usenet 'personality'
quoting various BS to claim that an oil slick only "calms the surface
of large waves" and this is worthless. OTOH we have people who have
been there, done that, and say it works.

What a dilemma, whom should we believe????

"In theory, there is no difference between theroy & practice. In
practice, there is."

-signed- Injun Ear (formerly known as Eagle Eye)

using oil to calm the seas
 

wrote
What a dilemma, whom should we believe????

You should believe me. I'm talking about facts. I give links to facts.
Other people are talking about some old sailor's tales. Nobody here
alive has even used oil to calm the seas. They all just repeat gossip. They
think gossip is Gospel. Duh!
Sorry but ya'll need to lose the quaint sailor's tales and stick with the
facts. It's OK to repeat such foolishness in the name of old times sake but
don't buy into that nonsense like it's real for Heaven's sake. It's the same
as actually believing Slocum used an old alarm clock with no second hand
he boiled in oil as a chronometer. Can you say gullible?

Cheers,
Ellen

using oil to calm the seas
 

On Thu, 4 Jan 2007 19:46:46 -0500, Ellen MacArthur wrote
(in article ews.net):


wrote
What a dilemma, whom should we believe????

You should believe me. I'm talking about facts. I give links to facts.
Other people are talking about some old sailor's tales. Nobody here
alive has even used oil to calm the seas. They all just repeat gossip. They
think gossip is Gospel. Duh!
Sorry but ya'll need to lose the quaint sailor's tales and stick with
the
facts. It's OK to repeat such foolishness in the name of old times sake but
don't buy into that nonsense like it's real for Heaven's sake. It's the same
as actually believing Slocum used an old alarm clock with no second hand
he boiled in oil as a chronometer. Can you say gullible?

Cheers,
Ellen



Neil, you knucklehead,
Ive seen it work in a real working environment... Granted it was not
intentional but oil spread just the same and the result was a smooth
swell..Obviously it does not get rid of the swells but it keeps the wind from
blowing the crests over resulting in a rush of white water.

--
Mundo, The Captain who is a bully and an ass

using oil to calm the seas
 

"Mundo" wrote

Obviously it does not get rid of the swells but it keeps the wind from
blowing the crests over resulting in a rush of white water.

It's Ellen and your wrong. Didn't you read the post called *the truth about oil
calming the seas*. Didn't you read where it talked about breaking waves in an oil
slick. Duh!
Here it is again in case you never saw the post or your newsreader never posted it.
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...2_OilatSea.pdf

Cheers,
Ellen

using oil to calm the seas
 

On Thu, 4 Jan 2007 20:08:14 -0500, Ellen MacArthur wrote
(in article ews.net):


"Mundo" wrote

Obviously it does not get rid of the swells but it keeps the wind from
blowing the crests over resulting in a rush of white water.

It's Ellen and your wrong. Didn't you read the post called *the truth
about oil
calming the seas*. Didn't you read where it talked about breaking waves in an

oil
slick. Duh!
Here it is again in case you never saw the post or your newsreader never

posted it.
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...2_OilatSea.pdf

Cheers,
Ellen



Unlike you..... I have actually been there

--
Mundo, The Captain who is a bully and an ass

using oil to calm the seas
 

"Mundo" wrote
Unlike you..... I have actually been there

And, what's that supposed to mean?

Cheers,
Ellen

using oil to calm the seas
 

On Thu, 4 Jan 2007 20:22:17 -0500, Ellen MacArthur wrote
(in article ews.net):


"Mundo" wrote
Unlike you..... I have actually been there

And, what's that supposed to mean?

Cheers,
Ellen



Well I guess it means I am correct and your not bad at looking up internet
resources.

--
Mundo, The Captain who is a bully and an ass

using oil to calm the seas
 

"Mundo" wrote
Well I guess it means I am correct and your not bad at looking up internet
resources.
--
Mundo, The Captain who's a wuss and an a pain in the ass

This guy says he's right when a paper that defines oil slicks says he's wrong.
Big ego but not much brain power.....

Cheers,
Ellen

using oil to calm the seas
 

On Fri, 5 Jan 2007 11:07:50 -0500, Ellen MacArthur wrote
(in article ews.net):

Mundo, The Captain

This guy is right when a paper that defines oil slicks is
wrong. Big ego supported by much brain power.....

Cheers, Capt. Neil

The Key word being "Captain".

--
Mundo, The Captain who is a bully and an ass

using oil to calm the seas
 

"Ellen MacArthur" wrote in
reenews.net:


"otnmbrd" wrote
I don't think it's still required, but when I first started sailing a
"Storm Oil" container was part of the lifeboat equipment. The oil
itself was either fish oil or vegetable oil and carried in a conical
container with petcocks at either end. This container was inserted
into the sea anchor which was also cone shaped with the apex cut out
to accept it. Never had to try it, but the affect was supposedly to
calm the surface of the seas you were encountering (as someone else
has said). Was actually on one ship which had a "storm oil" tank
located in the bow which was piped to drain over the side.
BTW, fish oil is still in use and acceptable (needs to be certified
"pure") though mainly used to lubricate and to a degree maintain,
anchor chain.

Still believe in utter nonsense now that your older, OTN?
All ya have to do is think, man. The wind builds up large seas.
They get big enough
the wind causes the crests to topple over. Stopping the wind is the
only way to make the seas go down. A little oil spread in a local area
only makes the surface smoother. It doesn't do anything about the size
of the waves. Duh! It's the size of the waves that makes them break.
Not the ripples and ruffles on the surface.
Oil doesn't calm the seas. Oil only smooths the surface of the
seas.

Your reading comprehension still sucks

otn

using oil to calm the seas
 

"Mundo" wrote
Well I guess it means I am correct and your not bad at looking up
internet
resources.
--
Mundo, The Captain who's a wuss and an a pain in the ass

This guy says he's right when a paper that defines oil slicks says
he's wrong.
Big ego but not much brain power.....

Cheers,
Ellen

Its pretty easy to turn any situation into a holier than thou argument, and
surely with the amount of misinformation available on the web you can easily
prove your case whichever way you choose to swing.

For myself, even in situations where i think myself well informed, even in
situations where i have actual relevant experience, i choose to keep my
mouth closed and my mind and ears open. In the final analysis, weighing up
all the evidence for and against it is often possible to come away with a
bit of knowledge you didn't have before. In the case of some rare
individuals its even possible to transcend that common western scientific
approach of 'A is right, therefore B must be wrong' and approach the holy
grail of multiple conflicting truths.

In the case of oil, its a bit of a funny one. Logic, and logical accounts
ive read of its use point to it being just a bit of nonsense. The personal
writings of old time captains with whole lifetimes spent at sea however
seems to contradict that. We have to bear in mind that people also used to
believe that the earth was flat, but even if this whole idea of oil calming
seas is wrong, it would be nice to understand how people so experienced
could come to believe it had merit.

let's not underestimate the value of a placebo if that be the case....

Shaun

using oil to calm the seas
 

Charlie Morgan wrote:
On Sat, 06 Jan 2007 07:27:04 GMT, "Shaun Van Poecke"
wrote:


"Mundo" wrote

Well I guess it means I am correct and your not bad at looking up
internet
resources.
--
Mundo, The Captain who's a wuss and an a pain in the ass

This guy says he's right when a paper that defines oil slicks says
he's wrong.
Big ego but not much brain power.....

Cheers,
Ellen

Its pretty easy to turn any situation into a holier than thou argument, and
surely with the amount of misinformation available on the web you can easily
prove your case whichever way you choose to swing.

For myself, even in situations where i think myself well informed, even in
situations where i have actual relevant experience, i choose to keep my
mouth closed and my mind and ears open. In the final analysis, weighing up
all the evidence for and against it is often possible to come away with a
bit of knowledge you didn't have before. In the case of some rare
individuals its even possible to transcend that common western scientific
approach of 'A is right, therefore B must be wrong' and approach the holy
grail of multiple conflicting truths.

In the case of oil, its a bit of a funny one. Logic, and logical accounts
ive read of its use point to it being just a bit of nonsense. The personal
writings of old time captains with whole lifetimes spent at sea however
seems to contradict that. We have to bear in mind that people also used to
believe that the earth was flat, but even if this whole idea of oil calming
seas is wrong, it would be nice to understand how people so experienced
could come to believe it had merit.

let's not underestimate the value of a placebo if that be the case....

Shaun



When I hove-to in my boat, there is a slick on one side of the boat, but no oil
is involved.

CWM

TMI....
have you been on vacation somewhere? Sailing?

using oil to calm the seas
 

Charlie Morgan wrote:
On Sat, 06 Jan 2007 22:36:53 -0500, katy wrote:


Charlie Morgan wrote:

On Sat, 06 Jan 2007 07:27:04 GMT, "Shaun Van Poecke"
wrote:



"Mundo" wrote


Well I guess it means I am correct and your not bad at looking up
internet
resources.
--
Mundo, The Captain who's a wuss and an a pain in the ass

This guy says he's right when a paper that defines oil slicks says
he's wrong.
Big ego but not much brain power.....

Cheers,
Ellen

Its pretty easy to turn any situation into a holier than thou argument, and
surely with the amount of misinformation available on the web you can easily
prove your case whichever way you choose to swing.

For myself, even in situations where i think myself well informed, even in
situations where i have actual relevant experience, i choose to keep my
mouth closed and my mind and ears open. In the final analysis, weighing up
all the evidence for and against it is often possible to come away with a
bit of knowledge you didn't have before. In the case of some rare
individuals its even possible to transcend that common western scientific
approach of 'A is right, therefore B must be wrong' and approach the holy
grail of multiple conflicting truths.

In the case of oil, its a bit of a funny one. Logic, and logical accounts
ive read of its use point to it being just a bit of nonsense. The personal
writings of old time captains with whole lifetimes spent at sea however
seems to contradict that. We have to bear in mind that people also used to
believe that the earth was flat, but even if this whole idea of oil calming
seas is wrong, it would be nice to understand how people so experienced
could come to believe it had merit.

let's not underestimate the value of a placebo if that be the case....

Shaun



When I hove-to in my boat, there is a slick on one side of the boat, but no oil
is involved.

CWM


TMI....
have you been on vacation somewhere? Sailing?


Try it sometime. A slick doesn't have to involve anything but water. But then,
you knew that, Katy. :^)

Haven't been on vacation. I've been doing a little sailing in OPB. It was almost
70 degrees here yesterday. I saw a dogwood tree in full bloom. If the fruit
trees follow, and then it finally freezes, there won't be many apples around
here next fall.

My news provider is in the midst of a huge upgrade and relocation that hasn't
gone very smoothly. Hopefully they will get it all ironed out soon. They started
a little over a week ago.

CWM

Yeah..it's more like a Florida witer here than a VA winter...I heard a
male robin singing his spring song yesterday...hope no females take him
up on it...come February and some cold weather and all the little
fledglings will freeze...and I wonder too about the migration
birds...hope it's light and not temps that triggers their return trips
north ot there will be a lot of dead and starved songbirds out there...

using oil to calm the seas
 

On Sun, 7 Jan 2007 10:52:20 -0500, katy wrote
(in article ):

Charlie Morgan wrote:
On Sat, 06 Jan 2007 22:36:53 -0500, katy wrote:


Charlie Morgan wrote:

On Sat, 06 Jan 2007 07:27:04 GMT, "Shaun Van Poecke"
wrote:



"Mundo" wrote


Well I guess it means I am correct and your not bad at looking up
internet
resources.
--
Mundo, The Captain who's a wuss and an a pain in the ass

This guy says he's right when a paper that defines oil slicks says
he's wrong.
Big ego but not much brain power.....

Cheers,
Ellen

Its pretty easy to turn any situation into a holier than thou argument,
and
surely with the amount of misinformation available on the web you can
easily
prove your case whichever way you choose to swing.

For myself, even in situations where i think myself well informed, even
in
situations where i have actual relevant experience, i choose to keep my
mouth closed and my mind and ears open. In the final analysis, weighing
up
all the evidence for and against it is often possible to come away with
a
bit of knowledge you didn't have before. In the case of some rare
individuals its even possible to transcend that common western
scientific
approach of 'A is right, therefore B must be wrong' and approach the
holy
grail of multiple conflicting truths.

In the case of oil, its a bit of a funny one. Logic, and logical
accounts
ive read of its use point to it being just a bit of nonsense. The
personal
writings of old time captains with whole lifetimes spent at sea however
seems to contradict that. We have to bear in mind that people also used
to
believe that the earth was flat, but even if this whole idea of oil
calming
seas is wrong, it would be nice to understand how people so experienced
could come to believe it had merit.

let's not underestimate the value of a placebo if that be the case....

Shaun



When I hove-to in my boat, there is a slick on one side of the boat, but
no oil
is involved.

CWM


TMI....
have you been on vacation somewhere? Sailing?


Try it sometime. A slick doesn't have to involve anything but water. But
then,
you knew that, Katy. :^)

Haven't been on vacation. I've been doing a little sailing in OPB. It was
almost
70 degrees here yesterday. I saw a dogwood tree in full bloom. If the fruit
trees follow, and then it finally freezes, there won't be many apples around
here next fall.

My news provider is in the midst of a huge upgrade and relocation that
hasn't
gone very smoothly. Hopefully they will get it all ironed out soon. They
started
a little over a week ago.

CWM

Yeah..it's more like a Florida witer here than a VA winter...I heard a
male robin singing his spring song yesterday...hope no females take him
up on it...come February and some cold weather and all the little
fledglings will freeze...and I wonder too about the migration
birds...hope it's light and not temps that triggers their return trips
north ot there will be a lot of dead and starved songbirds out there...

All my bulbs are sprouting... got out sailing though on Saturday.

--
Mundo, The Captain who is a bully and an ass