Category Archives: High Seas

Image courtesy Castletownbere RNLI

By The Maritime Executive 03-28-2021 08:26:31

On Friday and Saturday, the crew of the Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat launched twice to assist in a complex double rescue off the coast of County Cork, Ireland.

On Friday morning, the fishing vessel Ellie Adhamh suffered a loss of power in foul weather at a position about 70 miles west of County Cork's Beara Peninsula. A local 100-foot tugboat got under way to assist her. However, while the tug and her four-person crew were under way, heavy seas smashed three of the tugs windows, creating a second emergency situation.

The tug crew contacted the Valentia Coastguard station to request immediate assistance. The Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat launched within minutes, departing at 1230 under the command of coxswain Dean Hegarty.

At 1350, the lifeboat met up with the tug some 17 miles southwest of Castletownbere and found the vessel making way under its own power. Coxswain Hegarty described the conditions as "challenging," with 25-foot seas and 50-knot winds. The lifeboat escorted the damaged tug to safety.

Second rescue

The lifeboat launched a second time on Saturday morning in order to assist the Irish Navy in towing the Ellie Adhamh, which was still adrift in foul weather.

The response effort had been under way for some time. The Irish Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene Friday morning, but the Ellie Adhamh'screw declined an offer for a hoist evacuation. The Irish naval vessel LE George Bernard Shaw rendezvoused with the fishing vessel and monitored the situation overnight.

Early Saturday morning, an Irish Coast Guard helicopter returned to the scene to deliver water pumps to the Ellie Adhamh. In addition, the LE George Bernard Shaw made a number of attempts to rig a tow line, but this was hampered by rough weather conditions.

Castletownbere lifeboat was called out to help with the tow, and it launched at 0830 Saturday. The lifeboat crew met up with the Shaw and the stricken vessel at a position about 37 miles to the west of Bull Rock, and by the time they arrived, the Shaw's crew had already successfully rigged a tow. The vessels got under way on a slow journey back to Bantry Bay.

"This has been a prolonged and complex multi-agency operation undertaken in very challenging sea conditions the very good coordination and high level of cooperation amongst different agencies has resulted in finally getting the stricken vessel under tow," said Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Stevens.

See the article here:

RNLI Crew Carries Out Double Rescue, Saving Tug and Fishing Vessel - The Maritime Executive

The lure of the sea has captured the imaginations of many. The rich, the poor, the famous and infamous. The tales of old told of giant sea creatures lurking in the murky depths, stalking ships across the oceans of the world. Legends of famous pirates looting and raiding any ship that was slow enough to be boarded. New world explorers shipwrecked on strange, foreign shores or vessels loaded with gold and precious jewels lost to the deep, dark seas. The sea has been a source of inspiration for artists, writers, musicians, poets, explorers. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne or Moby Dick by Herman Melville, the wild and untameable beauty of mother nature is a constant source in the story of human endeavour. And throughout many of the adventures, fact and fiction, alcohol appears to have been a constant companion. Brandy, wine, beer, port, rum and of course gin.

To become a sailor, a young boy would start his apprenticeship before reaching fourteen years of age, with the ships master or first mate paid a sum by the parents. This unpaid apprenticeship could last up to nine years, but once the training was complete, it would mean the young sailor could quickly move to be a ships master or first mate by the time they reached their mid-twenties. For poorer families, a ships master could be given a boy without payment in understanding that the boy would be given a bed and a meal aboard a ship. The boy would also be provided with some form of training so they could have some life and career at sea. It was this or endure a life of desperation and poverty on dry land that would lead to an early grave. Although life expectancy for a young boy aboard a ship of burly men, facing deadly storms and all the wrath that mother nature could throw at you didnt exactly bode well either for a long and happy life.

For many sailors in the 17th century, life at sea meant months and sometimes years away from family. Cramped and dirty living quarters could quickly develop into a place of absolute squalor, which could often lead to illness. Sometimes when a ships crew became sick quickly, rumours would spread of a cursed voyage or that a member of the crew might carry the black mark, a sign of danger and foreboding amongst seafarers. Often tired, malnourished, superstitious, and a long way from home, its easy to see why any distraction from the reality of life at sea would be a welcome escape. Spending months at sea with the same faces working tirelessly under the strict stewardship of a ships captain could have been enough to push anyone to the grog as a welcome escape.

A little sip of something here and there helped lighten the mood but also a literal and proverbial powder keg waiting for a spark. An ill-prepared ships hold could be the downfall of many an experienced captain and crew. A lack of fresh drinking water, fruit, meat and vegetables could push the crew of a ship to breaking point resulting in mutiny. Or worse, murder. With their physical and mental health pushed to the limits, its easy to understand why a crews morale could make or break a voyage.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, most sea voyages required a significant cargo of fresh water to keep the crew healthy. Unfortunately, the water which was stored in casks could quickly develop algae rendering the water almost undrinkable. And although stopping at ports to resupply provided a chance to top up water, there was no guarantee that the water being brought on board was fresh or safe to drink. Sometimes the water on board would become so vile that under captains orders, a cask of stale water would be topped up with beer, wine, rum or any other spirits on board to dilute the pungent odour and taste. A lack of water could literally mean life or death for the crew. With freshwater posing an on-going problem for voyages and expeditions to far-flung lands, there could be only one solution? Bring less water and more booze instead.

There were nights when he took a deal more rum and water than his head could carry; and then he would sometimes sit and sing his wicked old wild sea-songs, minding nobody Often I have heard the house shaking with Yo-ho-ho and a bottle and rum, all the neighbours joining in for dear life with the fear of death upon them and each singing louder than the other to avoid remark. Fifteen men on the dead mans chest, Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil have done for the rest. Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island (1883)

As the Royal Navy sailed the high seas flying the flag for the British Empire, an attack in 1655 saw the Island of Jamaica come under the empires control. Several other islands would eventually be absorbed as part of the British Empire and resulted in the popularity of a new kind of alcohol rum. Rum would eventually become the spirit of choice for the Royal Navy.

By 1731, thanks to its longer shelf life than some of the other drinks that could be found aboard a ship, and the fact that rum was safer to drink than, for example, Arak, an Indian Spirit drink which sailors came to distrust thanks to its tendency to make the drinker sick, rum became the drink of the Royal Navy, although officers often drank sherry, port and gin. Rum rations were issued to sailors twice a day in half-pint jugs, also known as tots right up until 1823 when it was cut to a quarter pint, and then 1850 an eighth of a pint where it stayed right up until 1970.

With an increasing demand for liquids that could last long voyages, spirits seemed like the perfect solution. Not only did most spirits remain palatable, but with the addition of spices and herbs that were aboard the ship, this would hide any spoiling of the alcohol, and a drink could also lift the spirits of even the weariest of sailors.

With many ports and harbours acting as gateways to the world, the life of a mariner meant they came into contact with goods from around the world at nearly every port: exotic spices, luxurious textiles, strange animals, new languages, cultures. And of course, new types of drink. Its little wonder that many ports saw the growth of breweries and distilleries all within a stones throw of the harbour front. With a thirsty, ever-changing roster of customers, there was money to be made. It didnt matter how the liquid tasted, as long as it brought merriment and joviality, an exchange of coin would be made by sea weary sailors setting foot on dry land for the first time in months, eager to get their fill at the nearest free house or in some cases, illicit distillery.

And although gin was traditionally reserved for the officers on the ship whilst the lower-ranking sailors and crew were allocated a ration of rum, thanks to the number of distilleries in any given port, it was easy for sailors to get their hands on a few bottles of gin or any other booze that their purse could afford. And sometimes, it was a case of purchasing whatever spirits were readily available at the next port of call.

One port that saw a boom in alcohol production was Plymouth. The Black Friars Distillery, now The Plymouth Gin Distillery, opened its doors in 1793 in the port of Plymouth. The distillery produced Plymouth Gin, a style of gin that was slightly sweeter and less dry than London Dry gin. Its flavour profile, along with the fact it could be drunk neat, quickly found favour amongst officers. It had a certain air of sophistication and quality, something many rums of the time lacked. Plymouth Gin proved so popular it became a tradition in the Royal Navy that all newly commissioned vessels receive a Plymouth Gin Commissioning Kit, a wooden box containing two bottles of navy strength Plymouth gin and glassware. Up until 2015, Plymouth Gin was a Protected Geographical Indication, which meant Plymouth Gin had to be made in Plymouth.

With demand for alcohol, beer, rum, brandy and eventually gin, thanks in part to the gin craze in the first half of the 18th century, it may come as no surprise to learn that many of the Royal Navys manifests from the 17th century onwards included rum, beer, brandy, port, wine and of course gin, although many manifests note genever up until the name and spirit evolved to be known as gin.

Ordering large quantities of gin meant there was a chance the distillery or seller might try and hoodwink the Royal Navy. It was up to the Pussers, Royal Navy slang for a ships supply officer as they were in charge of the ships purse, to make sure that the Royal Navy was not left red-faced and out of pocket. The last thing the Pusser would want would be a stern dressing down, or worse, from a disgruntled captain who found out half way around the world that barrels of gin in his hold was tasteless, watered-down slop that had gone off. The Pussers had to find a way of ensuring that the gin they were purchasing was of high strength.

There are a number of stories relating to how the strength of gin was tested, but many, if not all, involved the use of gunpowder. Up until 1816, there was no method to test the ABV of a spirit, so a test was devised that would provide a good indication of the strength. A few grains of gun powder would be mixed with a small measure of gin from each cask. The solution would then be ignited to see if the gunpowder and liquid would burn. If the gin ignited and created a flame, then this was proof that the gin was of a high proof strength. If the gunpowder failed to ignite, then this was a strong indicator that the gin wasnt high strength and had most likely been watered down. Bearing in mind that the gin we know today at a minimum 37.5% ABV is a completely different spirit to the gin that would have been served in the officers quarters at high strength.

Testing gin and other spirits using the gunpowder test also meant that if a cask broke in the ships hold and the gunpowder stores were flooded, or the gunpowder was damp, in theory, it should still ignite. Faced with battles on the high sea and with the British Empire and Royal Navys reputation at stake, the last thing a Captain or crew would want was soggy gunpowder, which would have rendered their cannons useless. Having to explain at a court-martial, you lost one of the Kings royal fleet because you had a problem with soggy gunpowder would have seen any officers reputation diminished beyond repair.

It was only in 1816 when Bartholomew Sikes invented the alcoholometer that the volume of alcohol in a liquid could be measured. The Royal Navy quickly adopted the alcoholometer; before it was introduced into law in 1818, it was discovered that the minimum ABV required by the Navy was 57.5% ABV. Although after some tests, the Royal Navy discovered the ideal strength for igniting gun powder was 54.5% ABV, and so for the next 150 years, this was the ABV of gin supplied to the Royal Navy. It wasnt until the 31st of July 1970 that the Royal Navy ceased daily rations of alcohol to crew members, a day thats known as Black Tot Day, which was brought about by The Admiralty Board writing to the House of Commons on the 17th of December 1969.

The Admiralty Board concludes that the rum issue is no longer compatible with the high standards of efficiency required now that the individuals tasks in ships are concerned with complex, and often delicate, machinery and systems on the correct functioning of which peoples lives may depend. In other words, inebriated sailors shouldnt be operating million-pound naval vessels.

It was only in 1993, 23 years after Black Tot Day that the term Navy Strength was actually used to brand a gin. For the most part, they were referred to as overproof gin or 100% Proof gin. The term Navy Strength is in fact thanks to John Murphy, a marketing consultant who was working with the team at The Plymouth Gin Company. John created the term Navy Strength Gin to help market the distillerys 100% Proof gin. And thus, the modern term for high strength gin was born.

Today, Navy Strength Gins come in all manner of strengths and styles, including cask-aged navy strength gins and old tom navy strength gins. The ideal ABV should be over 57% ABV and there are a number of high strength gins that use the idea of the Navy Strength category to market their high strength gins according to their own story or region, including Highland Strength and Battlefield Strength.

Below youll discover a variety of Navy Strength and high strength gins from our members to explore

Little Brown Dog Latitude Strength (57.5% ABV), Little Brown Dog Distillery

Little Brown Dog Distillery, based in rural Aberdeenshire, was established by friends Andrew Smith and Chris Reid. The micro-distillery, which sits in the shadow of Bennachie, a local landmark, produces Scottish Gin along with bottling a variety of cask whiskies, blended whiskies, brandy and more. The distillery is a hub of creativity that seeks to break down barriers, and dispel some of the stereotypes that can be associated with gin and whisky.

Inspired by the local landscape and Andrews dog, the original Little Brown Dog, the distillery has released a number of creative spirits as part of their Experimental Spirit Series. Alongside these, Little Brown Dog released its signature LBD Gin in May 2020. The gin used a variety of locally Aberdeenshire foraged botanicals including parsnip, a first for Scottish Gin, and birch sap, beech leaves, bee pollen and a number of classic gin botanicals. Exploring new botanicals, foraging for flavour, distilling with purpose.

Theres also a hearty does of sarcasm, fun, Micky-taking and self-mockery thats part of the distillery DNA. Andrew and Chris want to produce spirits that get people talking, that can encourage drinkers to step away from the expected and challenge and nudge boundaries when it comes to the norm. Their Unlimited Edition tagline on their LBD Gin gently mocks the drinks industry where big brands producing gin by the truckload can plaster Limited Edition on a bottle to cash in. Or the use of the local Doric dialect affa strong on their new Latitude Strength which translates to its really strong, dont be an idiot and go easy this gin is strong.

Being able to produce good gin and spirits is a challenge. But being able to inject some personality and fun into what you do without resorting to cheap gags or ill-advised memes can be even harder. Making gin fun isnt hard. But getting it right is. Andrew and Chris manage to find that fine balance of producing, shaping and sourcing great tasting liquids that are unique and original, whilst putting their own LBD stamp on things, underlined with their motto Forage what we can, grow what we cant and only buy what we cannot grow or forage sustainably.

Weve always thought our LBD GIN really sang at higher ABVs. Just lifting the lid off the tank and taking a sniff before reducing it, we wanted to recreate that experience for folk who enjoy our gin.Its called latitude strength because we distil at 57.2 North so its 57.2% ABV, which is a whole 0.2% ABV higher than a navy strength and therefore better. Weve always geo tagged our foraged and grown ingredients for LBD Gin so it felt like the right thing to match ABV to latitude.

Andrew Smith, Co-Founder and Distiller, Little Brown Dog Distillery

Learn more about Little Brown Dog Spirits here.

Mackintosh Mariner Strength Gin (59% ABV), Distilutions

Jim and Deborah Macintosh launched their signature Mackintosh Scottish Gin in 2018. The couple saw an opportunity to create a gin that appealed to them as gin drinkers with juniper and citrus at heart. Deborah had been enjoying more and more craft gins but kept looking for that elusive gin that hit all the right notes. As much as it would have been fun to keep searching, tasting, exploring and enjoying the ever-growing range of gins available, naturally the best solution was to create her own gin!

Thanks in part to Deborahs love of the juniper spirit, Jim, who was a long time whisky drinker, also began to discover the diversity of the gin category. With an idea of what they believed would make a great gin, the couple sought the support of award-winning distiller Lewis Scothern at Distillations in Arbroath. Also being Angus based, Jim and Debs set to work with Lewis at the distillery testing a number of recipes. Being involved in the development process allowed the couple to see, taste and smell each recipe, refining until they not only had a gin that they felt was what they were looking for in a gin but that they were proud to call their own.

Working so closely with Lewis provided the couple with an in at the deep end experience and insight into the production process. From recipe development and the technical side of the distillation process, but also the not so glamorous side with filling, bottling, labelling, all done by the hand by the family between the distillery and home. It does, however, help when you have a family who loves a challenge, and with the help of their three daughters and their partners, the Mackintosh gin brand has continued to grow with the addition of their Mackintosh Old Tom, which was named gin of the year at the Scottish Gin Awards 2020, but also their Mackintosh Mariner Strength Gin, which also picked up a silver in the High Strength Gin of the Year category.

Bottled at 59% ABV, Mackintosh Mariner Strength Gin is distilled using nine botanicals. Based around our award-winning Mackintosh London Dry recipe, botanicals include juniper and classic Mediterranean citrus fruits along with locally foraged elderflower. The result is an upfront and centre juniper-led spirit with floral hints of elderflower and citrus notes of orange and lemon. With its higher ABV, the botanicals are emphasised on the palate.

Our London Dry is a smooth gin, which at 42% is a good ABV for this style. We knew with such a high-quality spirit to start from, that at a higher strength, with some tweaking to the botanicals, we could produce an equally smooth high quality higher strength spirit that could be enjoyed in many ways. This gin can be enjoyed as a sipping gin, neat over ice, in a G&T where the oils from the botanicals can be seen by the liquid becoming opaque in appearance. Additionally, it can also be used in cocktails with the flavour of the gin not being lost by the other ingredients. The Mariner Strength is Deborahs favourite of our three expressions, and when partaking in a G&T has a 1 to 3 ratio served with tonic, lemon or lime and lots of ice.

Jim Mackintosh, Co-Founder, Mackintosh Gin

Learn more about Mackintosh Ginhere.

Badachro Gin 57 Storm Strength Gin (57%ABV), Badachro Distillery

Based in the former fishing village in the north-west Highlands of Scotland of Badachro, Gordon and Vanessa Quinn have been making gin at their distillery since 2017; producing gins that encompass a sense of place through flavour, packaging and their own passion for the local area. Originally meeting on holiday in Badachro, the small village left a lasting mark on the couple who eventually married, travelled the world and moved to Badachro with their young family, where they established their distillery along with their family B&B, which overlooks the bay and the village.

Its thanks in part to its geographical location on the West Coast of Scotland in the Scottish Highlands, and no stranger to storms blowing in from the North Atlantic Ocean, that the distillery, being close to 57 latitude, they were inspired to create a high strength gin named 57 Storm Strength.

Badachro 57 Storm Strength was the second gin we released simply because a trade customer asked for it! Most navy strength gins are just the still strength gin, cut with less water, so it remains stronger in alcohol. We tried this but found that we lost the trademark smoothness of Badachro Gin. So, we experimented on two fronts, trying out some botanicals that would potentially smoothen the flavour, and played with alternative ways of distilling.

We ended up with a combination of both, adding more of a particular local botanical (which definitely helps round off the sharpness of a high strength spirit) and multi-shot distilled the gin, so we could vary the ratio of botanical oils to the alcohol strength, hence delivering a gin which has a higher percentage of oils than usual, which also helps soften the flavour. Ironically, this results in our Storm Strength gin being ideal for a low alcohol strength G&T, as you can still get a high degree of flavour when cut with tonic to a lower alcohol strength drink.

Gordon Quinn, Co-Founder and Distiller, Badachro Distillery

Learn more about Badachro Distilleryhere.

Pentland Hills Navy Strength Gin (57% ABV), Tarbraxus Distillery

What do you get when you combine lush, green hillsides, a husband, a wife and a family of labradors? Scottish Gin might be the last thing that comes to mind! But with retirement from a 30 plus year career in the RAF and the decision as a couple to rebalance work and life, husband and wife Phil and Tabatha decided in 2017, the time was right to make the change.

As long time gin drinkers, the idea to make gin came to them on a quiet summers evening, whilst enjoying a few G&Ts naturally, pondering what the future held and discussing their desire to do something they could both enjoy, and that would let them be creative and help them work from their beautiful rural location on the outskirts of the small village of Tarbraxus at the foot of the Pentland Hills in South Lanarkshire.

Panza, the official Pentland Hills Gin brand ambassador and mascot, provided the perfect inspiration for the brand and packaging, with every bottle hand engraved by Tabatha, featuring an etching of Panza walking through the Pentland Hills.

Pentland Hills Navy Strength Gin reflects all of the wonderful flavours of their original gin but with a bolder flavour and higher strength of 58% ABV. The design on the neck of the bottle features an emblem of a woman, which was, in fact, the emblem for HMS Electra. Tarbraxus Distillery co-founder and distiller Phils Grandfather served and died aboard the HMS Electra in 1942 in the Battle of Java Sea, so the design is a respectful nod to his familys service. Fittingly, a percentage of sales from every bottle sold is donated to the Royal Navy Benevolent Trust, a charity close to the familys heart.

Pentland Hills Navy Strength Gin was first released in July 2020. The gin is offered at 58% ABV and is double distilled to create a very smooth palate. The gin recently won a bronze medal at the World Gin Awards, and the tasting panel offered the following: Bold menthol notes, with some salinity and a long finish. There are some floral notes and juniper on the nose, whilst the palate sees this juniper alongside fresh balsamic notes, menthol and lemon balm. Good balance. The gin is sublime as a G&T served with pink grapefruit and a garnish of mint, or for the more adventurous mix a martini you wont be disappointed!

Philip Cox, Co-Founder and Distiller, Tarbraxus Distillery

Learn more about Pentland Hills Ginhere.

Rock Rose Navy Strength (58% ABV), Dunnet Bay Distillery

Established by husband and wife Martin and Claire Murray, Dunnet Bay Distillers, the distillery behind the Rock Rose Gin range of Scottish Gin expressions and Holy Grass vodka, released their first gin in 2014. Both originally from the Dunnet Bay area, which is located at the very north of Scotland on the coast, the couple have continued to grow their range of spirits as well as growing the reputation and reach of the brand, which can now be found in over 24 countries along with listings at some of the worlds most respected bars including ATLAS Bar in Singapore.

The couple have created a wonderful visitor experience at the distillery with a bespoke tasting room, tours and shop that stock the full range of Rock Rose Gin expressions and other locally produced gifts. Very much a working distillery and a hive of activity, the distillery in terms of production and size is modest but filled with charm and the love for what Claire and Martin do can be seen in abundance in all the details that theyve put into not only their packaging, the care for producing great Scottish Gins but also helping create employment in the area as well as putting Dunnet Bay on the global distilling map. The distillery also picked up Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards 2019.

Dunnet Bay Distillers were also the first distillery in Scottish Gin to introduce the concept of refill pouches, which means customers can order a fully recyclable pouch of their favourite Rock Rose Gin expression, top-up their original stoneware bottle and simply pop the empty pouch in the post back to the distillery. From here, its sent off to the pouch manufacturer, wheres it recycled to create a new pouch.

Since 2014, every year has seen the distillery continue to grow in terms of sales, reach and popularity. Its thanks in part to the popularity and success of their signature Rock Rose Original Gin that inspired the creation of Rock Rose Navy Strength Gin.

Our Navy Strength came about because bartenders had asked us for a stronger version of Rock Rose for cocktails. I trialled a Navy Strength and made a Negroni, and that made my mind up for me! Its the same botanicals as Rock Rose, but the higher ABV brings a punchier juniper-forward gin with a lot more spice than the original edition. This comes from the cinnamon, cassia and grain of paradise.

Martin Murray, Co-Founder and Distiller, Dunnet Bay Distillers

Learn more about Dunnet Bay Distillershere.

Farmer Strength Drovers Gin (57% ABV), The Wee Farm Distillery

Based in South Lanarkshire, The Wee Farm Distillery overlooks the rolling green pastures, hillsides and rich agricultural landscape of the surrounding area. Based on a working farm owned and operated by the McKerr family, Jenny and her family are slowly and carefully building something very, very special for gin drinkers and foodies alike.

The McKerr family recently completed another step in their plans for the farm with the refurbishment, renovation and transformation of one of the farm buildings into The Distillers Cottage. It sleeps up to six people and comes with a wood-burning stove, private garden and hot tub where guests can enjoy a Drovers Gin G&T along with various activities on-site, including a private tour of the distillery and tasting.

Along with a distillery, The Distillers Cottage accommodation, Jenny is slowly growing her beef herd encompassing a number of breeds, including Aberdeen Angus along with sheep. There are lots of plans for the farm, including orchards and more, with the aim of growing crops, fruit and botanicals that can feature in future The Wee Farm Distillery Gin expressions and spirits.

I wanted to create a Navy Strength ABV gin but put our own twist on, with our distillery here on the farm and my farming and food background, Farmers Strength Drovers Gin is full of flavour. We distil with 13 botanicals, including classic gin botanicals and juniper, and a combination of pink peppercorn, allspice, wild heather and thistle. The result is a citrus and spice flavour profile that, just like our signature Drovers gin, complements dishes with red meat.

Its something we believe is yet to be fully explored to its full potential is gin and food pairings. With Scotlands reputation for producing world-class food, were very excited to see more of Scotlands chefs exploring opportunities for Scottish Gin and food pairings, along with seeing more Scottish gin used in dishes. With the growing trend for agri-food tourism, Scotland is well placed with our landscape, amazing food and drinks producers, reputation for hospitality all adding up to a few reasons why people looking for food and drink experiences should put Scotland at the top of their list of places to visit.

As a business, a distillery, a farm, we also look at ways of collaborating and working with other like-minded businesses and people in the local area. Thats part of the reason why we chose a wonderful painting of the area by Strathaven based artist Anne Anderson to feature on the label, it captures the landscape and the farming way of life, a way of life were proud to be part of. Im very proud and excited weve been able to diversify and explore new ways of bringing our local area to consumers through our Scottish Gins and spirits.

Jenny McKerr, Founder and Distiller, The Wee Farm Distillery

Learn more about The Wee Farm Distilleryhere.

1881 Honours Navy Strength Gin (57% ABV), 1881 Distillery and Gin School

Based in the Peebles Hydro Hotel in Peebles, in the Scottish Borders, the 1881 range of Scottish Gin expressions was launched in 2019. Each of the four expressions takes its inspiration from the hotels history. It was originally built in 1881 and quickly became a local landmark sitting on Venlaw Hill overlooking the small market town of Peebles. The Peebles Hydropathic Establishment, as it was once known, was a must-visit for the Victorians offering therapeutic water treatments using water from the local freshwater spring. Seen as a potential cure for a number of ailments and afflictions, visitors flocked to the hotel from across the UK. Its the connection to the hotels hydropathic history that inspired the 1881 Gin.

In 1905, the hotel was left in cinders after a fire left nothing more than the foundations piles of smouldering stonework. But from the ashes, the new hotel was built and finished in1907 using some of the reclaimed materials from the fire. It was this incident that inspired the 1881 Rafters gin.

In the 1920s, the popularity of tennis continued to grow, and sensing the opportunity to provide guests with the chance to enjoy this new past time, the hotel created a number of tennis courts for guests to enjoy. In fact, at one point, the hotel had more tennis courts than Wimbledon, which saw the Lawn Tennis Scottish Championships being held annually at the hotel during the 1930s. Its this era that inspired the 1881 Pink Pavillion Gin. It was also here that many visitors could enjoy a Pimms or a G&T and watch the play unfold.

1939 was the start of World War 2, and like many large hotels and establishments at the time, the hotel was requisitioned by the MOD as a Military General Hospital. The hotel, with its 1,200 beds, helped injured personnel recover and it wasnt until August 1946 that the hotel was able to re-open its doors. Its this time in the history of the hotel that provided the inspiration for the 1881 Honours Navy Strength Gin.

Fast forward to the present day and the hotel now features both the distillery and a must-visit gin school where visitors can enjoy making their own gin on one of the twenty eight mini copper stills along with learning more about each gin and the history of the hotel, 1881 cocktails and more.

1881 Honours Navy Strength Gin is a celebration of our buildings history, memorialising the use of our grounds and hotel as a military hospital during WWII as a place of respite and healing a legacy we hope to preserve every day. Honours is produced on our 150L copper still Felicity using the spring water that gave Peebles Hydro its location and 12 botanicals which provide this smooth 57% gin with waves of citrus and cardamom aroma and flavour. We would recommend serving Honours with a few dashes of aromatic bitters and a slice of orange. Irresistible.

Dean McDonald, Head Distiller, 1881 Distillery and Gin School

Learn more about 1881 Distilleryhere.

Edinburgh Gin Cannonball Strength Gin (57.2% ABV), Edinburgh Gin Biscuit Factory Distillery

A brand thats been at the forefront of the Scottish Gin category since its original launch in 2010, before moving distillation to Scotlands capital city of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Gin has continued to grow as a brand and its range of expressions. With two distilleries across Edinburgh, the West End distillery is located at the end of the world-famous Princess Street. Blink and youll miss it though as the West End distillery is located in the basement of the Heads and Tails bar and is home to two gin stills, Flora and Caledonia.

The main distillery is located in the Biscuit Factory in Leith, and is home to 1000 litre custom copper still Gin Jeanie. Being based in Edinburgh has not only inspired the brand but also greatly influenced the Scottish Gin expressions produced at both distilleries. Seaside takes its influences from the nearby coast, whilst the 1670 Edinburgh Gin was created in collaboration with the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden.

With its long historical maritime and naval links, as well as the famous One Oclock Gun, a cannon thats fired every day at Edinburgh Castle at 1pm, Edinburgh Gin Cannonball Strength Gin incorporates all these elements into the gin. With double the juniper of the classic Edinburgh Gin, the gin strongly and confidently holds its own in any number of gin-based cocktails. Edinburgh Gin Cannonball Strength Gin was amongst the first of the high strength Navy Strength gins to appear in the Scottish Gin category and has continued to pick up a number of awards since its original launch in 2015.

Back in 2015, there were very few Navy Strength gins about. Cannonball was spawned from the fact that we really enjoyed drinking cask strength spirits, especially whisky. We wanted to make a Navy Strength gin that really stood out and didnt just dissipate on the palate. Essentially, we wanted to make a gin with real length and a proper finish. We realised just diluting Classic Edinburgh Gin less wasnt the solution to this, so we set out to create a brand-new recipe based around loads of Tuscan juniper, Szechuan pepper and citrus.

The Tuscan juniper is big, rich, resinous and spicy and really coats the mouth with oils, the Szechuan pepper contains not only aromatic warmth but also a molecule called Hydroxy-alpha sanshool which gives the mouth a warm tingling sensation. We balanced that all out with a good hit of lemon (which has since been replaced by yuzu). The result was Cannonball, which achieved everything we set out to do and went on to win gold at the IWSC the following year. And finally, its worth noting it makes a banging Negroni as the gin can stand up to the Campari and Vermouth. And its still the best Martini Ive ever had.

David Wilkinson, Head Distiller, Edinburgh Gin

Learn more about Edinburgh Ginhere.

Tarbert Legbiter Navy Strength Gin (57% ABV), Beinn an Tuirc Distillery

Known for its whisky thanks to a new wave of distilleries and lost distilleries that no longer exist or have shut over the years, Campbeltown and the local area is synonymous in the world of whisky. Just a short drive from Campbeltown is the Torrisdale Estate where youll discover not only a castle but Beinn an Tuirc Distillery.

Established in 2016 by brothers Niall and Kenny Macalister Hall and Nialls wife Emma, the distillery produces a variety of gin expressions along with other spirits, sustainability produced using the estates hydro-electric scheme with the signature Kintyre Gin launched in 2017. The distillery uses the water that flows from the Beinn an Tuirc hillside, which translates from Gaelic as The Hill of the Wild Boar, in reference to the once abundant wild boar that lived across Kintyre and other parts of Scotland.

Along with distillery tours, the Beinn an Tuirc Distillery also now features their recently opened gin school where visitors can create their own bespoke gin using one of a number of carefully created distillates that can be blended to create your perfect Scottish Gin from the hill of the wild boar. Steeped in history, its little wonder the Beinn an Tuirc team turned to local legends and folklore as the inspiration behind their aptly named Tarbert Legbiter Navy Strength Gin.

Named for the sword of Viking legend, Magnus Bare legs, Tarbert Legbiter is not for the faint of heart but dont let the 57% ABV put you off. This aromatic spirit is wonderfully smooth and flavoursome with delicate floral notes on the nose, warming into gentle spice and pine aromas.

Distilled with hibiscus flower and pink peppercorns, it is sweet and light on the palette with a floral midsection and a dry, lingering spice finish.

At Beinn an Tuirc Distillers were committed to sustainable production and use our own hydroelectricity to power the gin still. Tarbert Legbiter is one of several quality, award-winning gins in our range. We wanted to create a brand new spirit designed specifically for high strength rather than use an existing gin and simply make it stronger. Our talented distillers have created something truly memorable and worthy of the Legbiter moniker.

Tarbert Legbiter conquered the Scottish Gin Awards last year, picking up gold in the High Strength Gin category. Magnus Barelegs would be proud!

Emma Mcallister Hall, Co-Founder, Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Learn more about Beinn an Tuirchere.

Biggar Strength Gin (57% ABV), Biggar Gin Distillery

Originally made with the support of the team at the award-winning Strathearn Distillery, the co-founders of Biggar Gin, brothers Stuart and Euan McVicar brought their distillation back to their home town of Biggar in 2020 after completing the final stages of building their own distillery. A testament to their tagline on their website Biggar Gin, Biggar mentality.

The brothers original Biggar Gin was released in 2018 and went onto to win The Gin Guide 2018 Award for best London Dry Gin, the industry awards from the team behind The Gin Guide. Produced in batches of 200, Biggar Gin was well-received as having a classic, botanical rich flavour profile that put juniper, citrus and spice centre stage. The packaging for the bottle was also a talking point with its clever wrap-around label that meant when two bottles were placed side by side the labels combined to create the word Biggar. Subtle and clever. Biggar mentality in action.

A slightly different recipe to the signature Biggar Gin, Biggar Strength Gin keeps some of the original key botanicals including juniper, hawthorn berries and pink peppercorns but with the higher ABV really amplifies the flavours, creating a robust Navy Strength Scottish Gin that can help complement and balance bolder flavours, especially in rich cocktails or quinine rich tonics.

Read the original:

In The Navy - The Gin Cooperative

Loot Gamings next crate for April 2021 has been revealed, a crate which features all things Salty. That includes the triumphs and defeats of Call of Duty: Warzone as well as the high seas of Sea of Thieves with a number of other acclaimed games and franchises also featured in collectibles and apparel included within the next crate. The Salty Loot Gaming crate will be available to order starting on March 27th at 9 p.m. PST and will be available until April 27th.

Ahead of the launch of the orders for the April 2021 crate which starts at $29.99, Loot Gaming shared with ComicBook.com some exclusive details on what buyers can expect from the Salty crate thatll be available all throughout the next month. Salty has its own meaning when it comes to gaming, and the April 2021 crate plays up that idea by featuring all sorts of competitive games in the themed merch.

Call of Duty: Warzone, Sea of Thieves, Destiny, Conkers Bad Fur Day, and Street Fighter are all featured in the April crate. Warzone players can look forward to a collectible keychain exclusive to the crate while Destiny and Destiny 2 players can add a series of green Gambit Coins to their collections.

One of the more unique collectibles in the crate comes from Conkers Bad Fur Day and is actually a roll of toilet paper. Its aptly covered in images of The Great Mighty Poo, one of the bosses from both Conkers Bad Fur Day and Conker: Live and Reloaded.

For Sea of Thieves players who enjoy sailing the salty seas, youll get the shirt shown below from the crate that features a grand display of sailing ships flanked by characters both living and undead.

Tapping into fighting games, one of the best sources for saltiness in gaming, the April 2021 crate also includes a premium add-on option for a plush of either Ken, Ryu, or Chun-Li from the Street Fighter series.

Loot Gamings crate for March featured a Death theme and included collectibles from games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Deathloop, and the Fallout games. You can still grab that one now if youre quick, but starting on Saturday at 9 p.m. PST, youll be able to order the Salty Loot Gaming crate until April 27th.

See original here:

Loot Gaming's New "Salty" Crate Features Sea of Thieves, Call of Duty: Warzone, and More - ComicBook.com

Emerging Europe journalistJo Harpers new bookOur Man in Warsaw: How the West Misread Poland is, he writes, as much about Britain as it is Poland.

My book,Our Man in Warsaw: How the West Misread Poland, was written under lockdown during 2020, with three small kids at home.

It was written in some frustration and at times incredulity. The ludicrousness of the official rhetoric, and the clumsiness of the officials that delivered it was only matched by the blunt and often self-defeating mantras of the opposition and their mates in the foreign press.

The British press seemed at times to simply parrot the oppositions points of view and follow its strategy of fighting the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) government on a culture war terrain. Ostensibly about Poland, the book is actually also a look at my own country, Britain, undergoing its own illiberal revolution during 2019-20.

Admonishing plucky little Poland for its naughty anti-democratic ways worked quite well as long as Westminster remained a functioning model of how politics might be done. But as Brexit ripped through the institutions and institutional culture of the Westminster Model in 2019, it became harder to use the old benchmarks.

Indeed, some of the key issues that had been brought up in the first four years of PiSs rule in Poland were also centre stage in UK debates over Brexit: the independence of the judiciary in a democratic system of government, the role and power of the legislature versus an overbearing executive, and media independence.

Then there was a rise in ethno-nationalism, in the UK case perhaps most clearly English nationalism, and euroscepticism. There was also a strong majoritarian theme running through elements of both PiS and Conservative party discourse and political behaviour in particular after the Brexit referendum in June 2016.

The rise of what are often called Culture Wars was another area of overlap, with the rise of the Metoo and then the BLM movements coinciding with protests in Poland over tightening abortion legislation, restricting womens rights and rhetorical attacks on LGBTQ groups.

UK press coverage of Poland and its parliamentary election on October 13, 2019 was therefore to some extent a product of an internal struggle within the UK as much as a simple reflection of events as they actually happened in Poland. PiSs Poland and the other populists in the EU could either be held up as examples of why a stronger EU needed Britains continued input or why it should leave the Europeans to their own devices.

From this perspective, Poland was at once a blank page for many in the UK, a place of projected fantasies, of new starts or mistakes to be corrected.

But these were the Britains and Polands as they would like to see themselves against how they were actually seen by others, the virtual against the real.

This is where the idea for writing my book started. Werent we as foreign observers actually writing allegorical tales about our homelands. Werent we really just writing the things we couldnt easily say about Westminster and Washington?

Writing about Polands overly deferential attitude towards the Catholic church was perhaps an allegorical look at how Brits idolise their Royal Family, idealise the past, the importance of social hierarchy, tradition and notions of purity and good breeding.

Both countries, meanwhile, harboured their own colonial hankerings of sorts, Polands in its notional Commonwealth, with as a political and a mental space, stretching From Sea to Sea (Baltic to Black) and the UK in its imperial prowess on the High Seas.

Neither had yet to fully come to terms with its actual size and status. Then there was writing about Polands anti-Semitism. Perhaps this was easier than writing about Englands anti- black and anti-Irish (if not also its own anti-Semitic) history. The two countries also seemed to share a legacy of class cleavage drenched in ancient and ethnicised difference: in Poland the Sarmatian myth and in Britain the Norman one, both invading noble, warrior castes imposing their will, language and religion on a peasantry defined as Other and lesser.

When I started writing in early 2016 about Polands descent into illiberalism, we were still in a pre-Brexit and pre-Trump era. In early 2016 a paradigmatic shift in what was acceptable in UK and US public discourse was not widely expected. During the course of writing my first book on the subject, Trump and Brexit seemed to creep up behind Washington and Westminster, respectively, and by 2017 a new set of rules had apparently claimed large chunks of the public discursive space.

We saw a slipping of the veneer, revealing a picture of Britain that few outside had seen so obviously as two sides of the same coin, the beautiful and the beast, the gent and the hooligan, the sublime and the ridiculous. This was a process of national self-revelation. Britain as a normal mid-sized European country, grappling with the weight of an imaginary identity and the reality of a world where it wasnt at the high table.

In the Cold War period, from a Western perspective, the Iron Curtain set a geographical division into us and them. The two systems border was inscribed in the mental map, places inhabited by two tribes. The Other was, to use Arjun Appadurais term, spatially incarcerated. But, as Maria Todorovas study of the symbolic geography of Eastern Europe shows, during the 1980s a new concept of Central Europe appeared, which saw the region as an independent cultural entity, differentiating itself from Soviet Russia and the rest of the Eastern Bloc. The new order that emerged in the 1990s allowed Orientalism to escape the confines of space and time, with the border now mostly within societies.

Ewa Thompson describes Poles attitudes towards western countries as a mix of desire and resentment, with Poles adopting the discourse of the conquerors, blaming themselves for the failure of the Polish state, at the same time as the belief in Western supremacy grew stronger. This would posit Poland as a country colonising its own citizens, who are defined by the elites not in terms of their nationality or race but in terms of class differences. In scholarly discourse this is an internal colonisation approach based on the assumption that cultural elites colonise other social strata.

As with British peers of the realm, only szlachta members, irrespective of their ethnicity or culture of origin, were considered as Poles. This internal Orientalisation justifies a para-colonial relationship with western societies, casting them as more modern and representing a future which Poles aspire to. Some societies are behind western ones, existing in their past rather than in a global present.

Fast forward a bit. July 12, 2020, the day of voting in the second round of Polands presidential election and a wonderfully odd piece which appeared inThe Observerby Nick Cohen about the journalist Anne Applebaum.

It seemed to help fill in some of the gaps:

Millennium Eve, a housewarming for a manor house in western Poland they [Anne Applebaum and her husband Radek Sikorski, a former Polish foreign minister] had helped rebuild from ruins. They were young and happy. Historys winners. () The dilettante style of English conservatism charmed her. She came to know the conservative philosopher Roger Scruton and Margaret Thatchers speech- writer John OSullivan.

They had helped east European dissidents struggling against Soviet power in the 1980s and appeared to believe in democracy () How could she foresee that Scruton and OSullivan would one day accept honours from Viktor Orbn. () What was life in the English right like then. It was fun, she said. Her husband knew Boris Johnson. They were both members of the Bullingdon Club at Oxford. She assumed that he was as much a liberal internationalist as Sikorski was. () When the couple met Johnson for dinner in 2014, she noted his laziness and all-consuming narcissism, as well as the undoubted charisma that was to seduce and then ruin his country. () They were amusing, we are told, and we were young, Historys winners.

My book had been bumbling along slowly until this article appeared, after which it seemed to write itself. I was after all still young and one of historys winners.

Unlike many news and information platforms,Emerging Europeis free to read, and always will be.There is no paywall here.We are independent,not affiliated with nor representing any political party or businessorganisation.We want the very best for emerging Europe, nothing more, nothing less. Your support will help us continue to spread the word about this amazing region.

You can contributehere. Thank you.

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Britain's misreading of Poland says more about the UK than it does Poland - Emerging Europe

The Indian Ocean offers tremendous opportunities and some challenges for the island, coastal, and inland nations of South Asia and beyond

It is the oceans that engendered life. The lives of humans remain connected to the seas, making the good health of the seas and the efficient management of sea-based activity essential elements for the wellbeing of people and nations.

The Indian Ocean offers tremendous opportunities and some challenges for the island, coastal, and inland nations of South Asia and beyond.

Regional cooperation is an excellent platform for leveraging opportunities and transforming challenges to promote the health of, and harmony in, this ocean space of common heritage, for common good.

Take the problem of plastic waste. Up to 15 million tons of plastic makes its way into the Indian Ocean each year, contaminating it with a trillion pieces of plastic and making it the worlds second most polluted ocean after the North Pacific.

South Asian countries have developed isolated projects to manage the oceans plastic waste. Fishermen in Indias southern state of Kerala were paid to recycle the plastic bags, straws, flip-flops, and other plastic detritus caught in their nets. Once shredded, the plastic was sold to construction companies that used it to strengthen asphalt roads. With regional cooperation, lessons learned by the Kerala fishermen could benefit other countries.

The formal basis for such cooperation is being laid. All eight nations of South Asia are now coming together through a new regional project, supported by the World Bank and its partners to fund innovative ways to prevent, collect, and upcycle plastic waste into global supply chains. The project also supports research and innovation grants to find and support alternatives to plastic.

The Plastic-free Rivers and Seas for South Asia project aims to help build a circular economy for plastic that will stop plastic waste from leaking into the environment. The Indian Ocean Rim Association, whose two dozen member states stretch from Australia to South Africa and north to Iran and the United Arab Emirates, are watching the

project and may expand it across the Indian Ocean.

Some of the busiest sea lanes in the world cross the Indian Ocean and its rich marine life. Under its surface lie state-of-the-art global communications technology.

As the worlds economic growth engine pivots toward the Indo-Pacific, activity in the Indian Ocean increases. This growth must be managed in harmony with nature and in tranquillity, to ensure optimum and shared benefits, and prosperity for all.

For this purpose, it is essential for South Asian nations to work toward evolving a system where all communities that use the Indian Ocean pursue their aspirations and competing claims in accordance with international law, regional conventions, and age-old traditions.

A system with greater cooperation among states, and with differential treatment for resource and technical capacity asymmetries is needed for tackling natural disasters, promoting maritime security, and keeping sea lanes open and safe. This system should also enhance economic connectivity within South Asia and facilitate access to markets in the region and beyond, delivering goods and services at faster speeds, greater volumes, and lower costs.

Without doubt, the Indian Ocean needs better overall management which, among other measures, requires:

Working in partnership with countries and sharing information, expertise, and best practices is essential as no single country can meet these maritime challenges on its own. Disputes must be settled within a rules-based system that follows international norms and transparent practices.

South Asian nations can work together, with other major maritime nations beyond the region, and with multilateral institutions to promote health and harmony in the Indian Ocean. The results will benefit South Asia now and the generations to come.

(Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam is a former Foreign Secretary of the Government of Sri Lanka, and has held several key diplomatic assignments including Sri Lankas Ambassador to the US and High Commissioner to India, Bhutan, and Afghanistan. He also served as his countrys Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and New York and was a member of UN panels on migrant workers and disarmament. Ambassador Kariyawasam is a champion of advancing regional integration and cooperation in South Asia.)

Link:

A healthy Indian Ocean feeds, protects, and connects all South Asians - ft.lk

Image courtesy Kongsberg Maritime

By Kongsberg Maritime 03-29-2021 09:11:00

Until recently, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operations have been viewed as a logical next step from those carried out with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Launched from a ship, AUVs can autonomously carry out complex underwater survey tasks leaving the surface vessel to monitor its progress, potentially managing other AUVs or undertaking additional survey duties at the same time.

However, reliance on a mother ship incurs significant cost, especially if it is purely there for monitoring and charging. But to take the next step making the AUV truly independent means dramatically increasing its range so that it can realistically carry out operations far from any support infrastructure. This includes starting missions from shore.

Thats exactly what Kongsberg Maritime have done with the launch of the latest addition to its HUGIN range of underwater survey platforms. Rated to a depth of 6,000m and designed to facilitate unsupervised, long-range, multi-role operations, the new HUGIN Endurance lives up to its name by offering a previously unthinkable mission time of up to 15 days. This means that it can autonomously carry out complete operations spanning approximately 1,200 nautical miles equivalent to the sailing distance between New York City and the mainland of Cuba, or between Venice and Alexandria in Egypt. Set this against the average 12-to-36-hour endurance hitherto achievable by most AUVs, and its easy to appreciate how massive is the difference made by recent developments in pressure-tolerant lithium-ion battery technology. s

In shore-to-shore survey applications, the AUVs ability to operate autonomously for such a lengthy duration could, in many cases, dispense altogether with the need for a dedicated support vessel. The knock-on effects of this would be a considerable reduction in operational carbon footprint coupled with a sizeable increase in the potential weather window, plus a welcome safety boost as crew could be redeployed for shore-based duties.

Even when a support vessel is required there are still significant advantages, as Richard Mills, Vice President Marine Robotics Sales at Kongsberg Maritime, explains. There are practical and financial benefits for a support vessel deploying a HUGIN Endurance, he says. The fact that this AUV can operate for 15 days means that a support ship can be released to attend to other matters, which is a more cost-effective use of its time. In addition, recovery in heavy seas can be hazardous, so the simple fact that the AUV can stay down for far longer greatly reduces the risks associated with launch and recovery in challenging conditions.

The HUGIN Endurance is, of necessity, a substantial piece of equipment 33 feet long and four feet in diameter but it can nevertheless be transported in a standard-size shipping container. In shore-to-shore applications, dockside cranes would convey the AUV to and from the water, but a support vessel equipped with Kongsberg Maritimes heavy-duty Launch and Recovery System (LARS), essentially a cradle operating from midships, could also handle the process.

A game-changer for energy?

An AUV with such an extended range has countless possible applications, but a key area in which Kongsberg Maritime see the HUGIN Endurance making an immediate difference is in wind farm and energy platform surveys. Removing the traditional survey vessel makes AUVs a low-carbon option for a survey, Richard explains. Commercial operators have often shied away from using AUVs in shallow water, but actually the HUGIN Endurance is not only capable of doing it, but its more productive doing it this way than with a traditional surface-mounted multibeam. We can demonstrate that quite clearly, even in 100-130 feet of water.

An example of a potential survey where HUGIN Endurance would demonstrate a clear advantage would be the Beatrice wind farm, comprising 84 turbines off the coast of Wick in the north of Scotland. There are four further areas nearby which have been highlighted for expansion. The AUV would be launched from shore and fly at an altitude of 100 feet with a sensor range of approximately 800 feet either side, giving a total swath of 1600 feet.

If you look at the productivity measure and the cost per day of surveying the Beatrice field, which has 150 feet of water depth, with a surface-mounted multibeam, Richard comments, we can be about 50 percent faster. That means HUGIN Endurance can cover the whole survey area in about nine days, including transit from shore. It would take a surface-mounted multibeam about 14 or 15 days to do the same area.

Innovation from experience

The HUGIN Endurance is hard proof that the HUGIN range has come a long way since the earliest days of its joint development by KONGSBERG, Statoil and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) back in 1991. As a pioneer in the large-diameter AUV category, it simultaneously has a wealth of field experience behind it HUGIN models have completed more line kilometers than any other survey-class AUV and tacitly carries the responsibility of upholding Kongsberg Maritimes corporate reputation for driving innovation in the sphere of underwater robotic technology.

Externally, the HUGIN Endurances profile will be instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with the other models in the HUGIN range. Closer scrutiny, however, reveals several new features. Its tail design, for example, accommodates contra-rotating dual propellers which will take the AUV to a speed of eight knots while also providing a fallback solution in the event of one prop failing. This is a lot faster than the norm for AUVs, Richard points out, although the optimum survey speed is probably between four to six knots. The resolution is constant because we oversaturate the survey area with sound transmissions.

Swept fins wrap over the tips of the blades for protection, while the new shape and increased surface area of the aft planes will reduce drag. Meanwhile, the design of the forward fins is intended to enhance the quality and accuracy of high-resolution data gathering by improving roll stability, reducing the turn radius, keeping the AUV level and preventing the tail from dropping when commencing a climb close to the seabed. Additionally, slow-speed manoeuvring fins equipped with thrusters have been installed to reinforce handling at speeds below one knot.

A wealth of information

Given its generous proportions, it stands to reason that the HUGIN Endurance is capable of accommodating a hefty sensor payload for wide-swath bathymetry. Kongsberg Maritime points out that numerous configurations of active and passive sonars are available, but interested parties can expect the AUV to be equipped as standard with units including a HISAS 1032 dual Rx SAS (synthetic aperture sonar), an EM2040 0.7 dual Rx multibeam echo sounder, a cNODE transponder for positioning and communications, sub-bottom profiling system, a UHD camera and laser, and sensors to ascertain factors such as conductivity, temperature, depth, methane and CO2 levels. A forward-looking sonar in the nose of the AUV scans both vertically and horizontally to assist with situational awareness.

The AUV is designed to enable remote operation via integration with the Kognifai open digital ecosystem or third-party data platforms, and KONGSBERGs Maritime Broadband Radio (MBR) facilitates secure communications with the remote operating centerto report status and receive mission updates. A retractable mast hosts the MBR and RF antennas, together with surface awareness sensors GNSS, AIS and cameras to assist in marine traffic avoidance.

Navigational certainty underwater is maintained by the companys Sunstone inertial navigation system a key enabling technology for autonomous long-range operations. This takes input from a depth sensor, compass, a Kongsberg Seatex MGCR5 IMU Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL). The in-situ performance depends on the configuration and can be better than 0.01 percent of distance travelled.

Fully equipped with redundancy and in-mission processing, the HUGIN Endurance also incorporates Reflection post-mission analysis software capable of being hosted on a local network or in the cloud which collates and displays all AUV data in a single software package.

The HUGIN Endurance generates much more information, faster and more cost-effectively, than youll get from a surface-mounted multibeam, Richard points out, so youll not only get the bathymetry, but also very high-resolution seafloor SAS imagery and the oceanography profile across an entire area. This could be up to 320 square nautical miles in a single dive, depending on payload configuration and altitude. In addition, you could get data revealing things like leaks or seeps or bubbles in the water column. Furthermore, because we carry a sub-bottom profiler, you wont just get whats in the water and on the seabed, but also whats beneath the seabed.

With its ability to be put to work in a variety of geophysical, environmental, hydrographic, naval and SAR applications, the HUGIN Endurance appears destined to make a definite impression in a range of markets.

This post is sponsored by Kongsberg Maritime.

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.

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In It for the Long Haul - The Maritime Executive

Image: seaspiracy.orgFollowing this weeks Netflix release of the documentary Seaspiracy, industry figures from Greenpeace, Earth Warriors, Roots & Hoots, and plant-based seafood producer Loma Linda, share opinions on the issues raised and the conclusions reached in the film. Veganism is one answer, but the planets overpopulation is another issue which needs to be addressed, as is education and a lack thereof, say these plantbased leaders.Greenpeace respondsA blog post from Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, posits that a shift to plant-based is crucial but not enough. Seeing the destruction of the natural world, both on land and at sea, has moved more and more people to become vegan. This is a hugely positive thing: the more people that turn to a plant-based diet, the better it will be for the planet. But although it might be part of the puzzle, veganism isnt the silver bullet for our oceans. A campaign that focuses only on veganism ignores the billions of people that depend on the oceans for survival.

Clearly there is a bigger picture here which demands involvement from governmental bodies and the addressing of wider issues; McCallum notes that Greenpeace has joined with scientists, civil society and many governments around the world to propose that at least 30% of the worlds oceans are protected by 2030 and the remainder is managed sustainably and in the public interest.

Douglas Hines, chairman of Atlantic Natural Foods, of which vegan tuna producer Loma Linda is a subsidiary, said to vegconomist: As leaders in all areas of the seafood industry for more than 40 years, along with veteran Mike Easterbrook, our partner in UK and EU, we have witnessed more than most in todays seafood world.

Watching Seaspiracy was a timely reminder not just for our world governments and legislative bodies, but for us as individuals about the impact that our day to day lives and mindless consumption of animal protein can have on our oceans and human life. Over the decades oceans have been abused by rampant fishing practices, misrepresentation of vessel catches, trash piles in the high seas, harmful bycatches, plastic pollution, human trafficking and on occasion corruption.

Social and environmental responsibilities are ignored in favour of the gains to be made in big money catches like Pacific Blue Fin Tuna and Yellowfin in the Indian Ocean.

Our growing population and growing demand for protein-rich food sources, is only going to swell the burgeoning strain that our oceans are under as humans we have caused this, and it is now our responsibility to do what we can to help reverse our harmful impacts.

Yes this needs to be driven by world governments, who have a responsibility to drive forward international industry-wide reform and guidance to manage and protect our oceans resources, address climate impacts, stop polluting our oceans with plastic and eliminate widespread abuse of human lives.

As consumers, making conscious choices to switch out our protein sources from animal to plant-based could help save thousands of fish a year from being killed in our oceans. As a food manufacturer and retailer, its our responsibility to empower consumers to make this choice, by providing a range of sustainable, nutritional, versatile, and tasty plant-based seafood products.

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Industry Leaders Speak Out About the Seaspiracy Documentary - Is a Shift to Plant-Based Enough? - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine -...

LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Royal Caribbean International is setting a spectacular soundtrack this summer with its return to the UK. The cruise line has announced that Anthem of the Seas, a firm favorite in the region, will begin sailing from Southampton, England as soon as this 7th July. UK families can choose from a combination of 4-night Ocean Getaways in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Plus, in recognition of the tremendous efforts of the emergency services, National Health Service (NHS), social care sector and armed forces over the last year, Royal Caribbean will offer 999 free staterooms on its first Ocean Getaways to those UK residents in these professions.

The new summer itineraries open for bookingson 7th April. Sailing with fully vaccinated crew, the cruises at this time will be available to UK residents above the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results. These current health and safety measures, like others, may evolve as they are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Pre-registration for guests eligible for one of the 999 free staterooms open on 13th April, and final names will be drawn from a ballot by the end of April.

"The UK is a place we hold near and dear to our heart at Royal Caribbean. We miss our UK guests and are as eager as they are to get back to cruising from Southampton,"said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International."We are delighted with the UK government's recent announcements regarding cruising and excited to set sail again with a phenomenal ship and favorite such asAnthem of the Seas.After a tough year, we all need a holiday, but no one more so than the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces who will have the long-awaited opportunity to get away and relax with total peace of mind."

Welcoming guests of all ages, each and every aspect of Anthem of the Seas has been designed to repeatedly make this ship a top hit and favorite in the UK.From globally renowned entertainment and high-adrenaline activities, to a variety of cuisines from around the world, the award-winning ship makes for the perfect high-tech playground and relaxing getaway that will consistently wow and delight from bow to stern. Top highlights on board include:

On land there is adventure to be had in Liverpool, Scotland and Belfast. Liverpool is not only the birthplace of The Beatles and home to Premier League football clubs, but also a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that boasts a wealth of maritime history and modern art. Plus in Kirkwall, on north Scotland's enchanting Orkney Islands, guests have in store some of the most picturesque landscapes in the UK and the opportunity to discover and learn about the Viking heritage of this ancient Norse town. Belfast presents the perfect gateway to exploring Northern Ireland, known for its historic landmarks, ancient Irish castles and stunning natural terrain.

Guests can rest assured their well-being and that of the crew members and communities visited are Royal Caribbean's top priorities. Details on the health and safety measures to be implemented for the summer cruises in the UK will be announced at a later date. The comprehensive, multilayered health and safety measures will continue to be led by science and leverage expert guidance from theHealthy Sail Panel, Royal Caribbean Group's Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer, and local government and health authorities.

Royal Caribbean's new UK sailings continue the cruise line's measured and safe return to cruising the world once again. They follow months of successful cruises in Singapore, with more than 50,000 guests to date who have sailed aboard Quantum of the Seas, as well as the recently announced plans for the highly anticipated Odyssey of the Seas to cruise from Haifa, Israel, and cruises from The Bahamas with Adventure of the Seas, Bermudawith Vision of the Seas and Cyprus with Jewel of the Seas. For more information on Anthem's limited series of summer cruises, visit RoyalCaribbean.uk.

Notes to Editors To be eligible for one of the free sailings, UK residents must be able to show proof of an official Blue Light Card, which is available to those working in the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces.Free sailings can be secured by pre-registering through the Royal Caribbean International website starting 13th April 2021. Pre-registrations will be entered into a ballot to be drawn by the end of April. Further terms, conditions and information on how to pre-register for the free sailings will be available from 7th April on the Royal Caribbean website.

About Royal Caribbean InternationalRoyal Caribbean Internationalhas been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today's adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas,Perfect Day at CocoCay,the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 18 consecutive years in theTravel WeeklyReaders' Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following@RoyalCaribPRon Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of itsHealthy Sail Panelof public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation onall ofits sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements.U.S. cruises and guests: Formore information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean International

http://www.royalcaribbean.com

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Royal Caribbean Thanks Emergency Services, NHS And Armed Forces With UK Homecoming, Set For This Summer - PRNewswire

2021 is off to a decent start as far as the free games on the Epic Games Store go. Star Wars Battlefront II, Rage 2, Galactic Civilizations III, and Metro: Last Light Reduxcharacterize the AAA freebies. There have also been a number of other decent titles and indie releases cherry-picked by the Epic team. This week is another indie release from the folks at Failbetter Games. Sunless Sea is free until March 4 at 11 AM ET. As always, youll want to claim the game as soon as possible. You can download it whenever you want in the future.

Sunless Sea is a survival/exploration RPG unlike anything else. It takes place on the high seas during the Victorian age, but with a twist. Youre navigating an underground sea, and its a lot darker than Journey to the Center of the Earth. Theres plenty of Gothic Horror that comes along with this one. Youll see all kinds of terrors along the way, but youll need to keep it together. Youre crew is depending on you, so dont eat them. Because that is something you can totally do in this game. Youll need to keep them taken care of, otherwise cannibalism is on the table. And if youre not eating one another, something else will likely swim in to taste you. If your captain dies, youll need to hand control to the next generation.

Sunless Sea certainly sounds like something thats not for the faint of heart. It is highly recommended though by its players. If you love these types of vibes, youll definitely want to dive into this one. Its free, after all.

If youre looking for something a little more-action packed, youll want to mark your calendar for next week. The popular RTS Wargame: Red Dragon will be free. You can take to the high seas again, but this time as a naval commander. Thats just a fraction of the experience though. Youll also have access to land units and air units. This title is also highly praised by its players, plus its based on semi-modern warfare. Youll travel back to 1991 to engage in a fictionalized Cold War. It sounds like a great experience for fans of these kinds of games. We will remind you to pick this free game up from the Epic Games Store and give you some more intel on it next week.

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Sunless Sea is free on the Epic Games Store, Wargame: Red Dragon next - PC Invasion

Medric Cousineau, who, it was announced Thursday, has received the Meritorious Service Medal from Rideau Hall, would like to forget the circumstances surrounding the first decoration he received from the office of the Governor General of Canada.

He just cannot.

The other day, when I asked him about the 1996 event, he paused and then directed me towards the GGs website which, he said, explains what happened with typical Canadian understatement.

The facts are these: in October 1986 Cousineau, then a Lieutenant, was serving as a navigator on a search and rescue helicopter flying off HMCS Nipigon, then patrolling the waters beyond Newfoundland in the midst of the Canada-Spain Turbot war.

That October 6, his helicopter took off to help two injured crewmen on an American long-liner about 800 km off the coast of Newfoundland.

The night was dark, the weather terrible rain, strong winds and heavy seas and the boat deck, which was covered with fishing apparatus, and machinery, pitching and rolling continuously, according to his citation for the Star of Courage, Canadas second-highest award for bravery.

Nevertheless, Cousineau, who was born in Vancouver and had trained as a gunnery officer, before becoming a navigator for Sea King helicopters, volunteered to be lowered to the deck of the vessel.

On the first attempt, he was thrown overboard by the wildly pitching boat.

The second time, Cousineau scrambled aboard, where despite the flying spray and the tremendous noise of the large helicopter hovering close overhead, he evacuated the injured crewmen.

During the rescue, Cousineau was slammed against the fishing ship, but the emotional injuries he suffered lingered even longer.

Though he left the military in 1991, his post traumatic stress disorder seemed to worsen as time went on. Flashbacks and night terrors haunted him.

In 2006, right around the anniversary of the rescue, Cousineau had a full psychotic break and was institutionalized.

I was gone, he said when we spoke Wednesday.

Six years later, an old high school classmate, who knew of his struggles, contacted Cousineau. A service dog helped her special needs daughter, and it was her understanding that they could also help PTSD sufferers.

Which is how, thanks to the canine assistance and rehabilitation education and services program in Concordia, Kansas, a golden lab named Thai came into his life.

And why, in a roundabout way, Cousineau was among the latest recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal which, according to the Governor Generals office, honours individuals who have performed a deed or an activity in a highly professional manner, or at a very high standard that brings benefit or honour to Canada.

The list includes Todd McDonald and Ashley Ward, of Halifax, for founding GIVETOLIVE, which organizes and hosts challenging sports events to raise funds for charity, as well as Lunenburgs William Brooks, one of the founders of Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which honours firefighters who have died in the line of duty and provides support for their families.

Cousineau and his wife Jocelyn are the drivers behind Paws Fur Thought, which brings together service dogs and veterans and first responders who afflicted by operational stress disorders.

Thai, it must be said, deserves some of the credit. The dog offers Cousineau security when the anxiety swirls. When he is about to blow, his wife and kids tell him to just take Thai for a walk, which calms him down.

Now, when night terrors are about to begin, Thai senses the impending attack and wakes him before it hits.

How many times has a mental health pro ever spent time with me during night terrors, Cousineau told me via email. Hint: never. Thai has never missed.

A year after the dog came into his life, Cousineaus eldest daughter, with whom he had a fractious relationship, turned to him, and said, I dont know what has changed with you, but something sure has.

Another the same time he and Jocelyn were out for a walk, when, apropos nothing he just blurted out, what about the others?

After decades of agony, Cousineau finally had relief from his demons, but he also intuitively understood that so many more like him were still suffering.

Support dogs like Thai are expensive anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 each depending upon the school where they are trained.

Money is a really stupid reason to die, said Cousineau, by which he meant that it was plain dumb that the price of a dog is all that stops someone from escaping the hell of PTSD.

In his case, the local Legion ponied up the money. When a veteran with the same disorder came to Cousineau he began to find ways to connect PTSD sufferers with service dogs.

His commitment to the cause is such that in 2013, Cousineau walked 1,065 kilometres in 50 days to raise money and awareness about PTSD. And he and his wifes organization have found some 200 dogs for vets and first responders across the country.

Since 2019, hes been pulling back from his duties which he now describes as patting puppies, taking pictures and signing cheques. at the organization, which has 15-or-so volunteers in Nova Scotia.

After Thursday, he can add receiving one of the country's greatest honours to that job description.

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