Category Archives: Private Islands

The Cayman Islands is already well-established as an insurance jurisdiction, with 770 insurance licensees conducting business under the supervision of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) as at 30 June 2021. What has been noteworthy of late is the increase in reinsurance undertakings domiciling in the Cayman Islands or enquiries about the establishment or re-domiciliation of various types of reinsurance structures in the Cayman Islands. Since Q2 2019, CIMA has approved 3 new licences, doubling the number of fully licensed Class D reinsurers with a physical presence on the Island (there had been 3 such entities until 2019). All the new class Ds reinsure longterm risk in the life/annuity space and all are subsidiaries of global institutional groups that have established in or re-domiciled into the Cayman Islands.

Three key factors are behind this growth:

>> Caymans effective regulatory framework;

>> Cayman as the capital markets jurisdiction of choice; and

>> Caymans expanding value proposition.

Caymans Effective Regulatory Framework

The Cayman Islands supervisory and legislative framework adopts international standards; this serves to promote confidence a mong investors and counterparties. As a jurisdiction, the Cayman Islands elected not to seek Solvency II equivalency, focussing instead on its closest market geographically the Americas which Cayman has historically served.1 The significant benefit from this election, not unlike the perceived dividend of Brexit for the U.K., is the freedom to move individually rather than being constrained by the policies of a bloc. In regulatory terms, this provides CIMA with the discretion to apply risk-based prudential standards suitable for each licensee, including allowing licensees to develop their own internal regulatory capital model. CIMA therefore stipulates minimum regulatory capital requirements and requires additional capital to be calculated and held in accordance with the reinsurers risk profile. This approach enables licensees to structure their capital in an efficient manner, which is important for all clients but especially for investment houses who have a more systematic interest in ROI than the more traditional insurance undertaking.

Recognizing the institutional counterparties involved in these reinsurance transactions, CIMA has a strong focus on the prudentialand governance standards of reinsurance licensees and adopts a principles-based approach to the reinsurers conduct of business, empowering the licensee to propose conduct of business standards for CIMAs approval. This focus is fundamental to CIMAs objective to protect and enhance the integrity of the Cayman Islands financial services industry and, in particular, to pay attention to the financial soundness of licensees.

In terms of style, CIMA is approachable and does not shy from engaging with interested parties or applicants. The team at the Insurance Division entertains and encourages preliminary structuring discussions with potential licensees to facilitate decision-making, clarity in its regulatory expectations and a commitment to prompt turnaround within two business days (to which it scrupulously adheres) for general supervisory-related queries. The most recently licensed Class D reinsurer, a Walkers client, was generous in its praise for CIMAs transparent and dynamic approach to licensing, which allows applicants confidently to assess, plan and execute the establishment of their reinsurer. The lack of surprises or shifting of the goal posts is a major advantage to the Cayman Islands reinsurance offering; this becomes obvious where multiple regulators are involved in approving a multi-jurisdictional structure or transaction.

Cayman as The Capital Markets Jurisdiction of Choice

The Cayman Islands has been the long-term favourite jurisdiction of the asset management industry for decades. The Cayman Islands remains the jurisdiction of choice for private equity firms and other asset managers with 13,219 private funds registered with CIMA at the end of Q1, 2021. Given this, it was perhaps inevitable that familiarity would bring an asset-management sponsored reinsurance undertaking to the Cayman Islands; however, it is more than mere familiarity that makes them decide in favour of the Cayman Islands.

One reason is the depth and diversity of the capital markets that the Cayman Islands accesses and serves. In addition to investment funds, the Cayman Islands is the premier structured debt issuance jurisdiction with special purpose vehicles issuing tens of billions of dollars of debt into the international capital markets annually2 ; such is the magnitude of rated debt issuance that Standard & Poors has had specific criteria for Cayman SPVs since the early 2000s. The international capital markets familiarity with and confidence in Cayman issuers and Cayman structures presents new audiences and a panoply of structuring options to Cayman-domiciled entities for reinsurance structures.

Another reason why the Cayman Islands is increasingly finding favour is the sophisticated structuring options that a major transactional jurisdiction such as the Cayman Islands offers. The breath, diversity,value and complexity of transactions accomplished through Cayman Islands vehicles means that the Cayman Islands offers or has experience of a range of corporate and finance strategies (both vanilla and highly bespoke) which can be used to manage, transform, tranche or repackage risk.

Throw in experienced world-class lawyers, accountants, fiduciary professionals, insurance managers, actuaries and structuring/advisory firms and it becomes clearer why asset managers looking to explore reinsurance opportunities around life/annuity and pensions liabilities would look to a jurisdiction that annuity or pension providers and life insurers might not naturally have previously considered.

The Cayman Islands is therefore an extremely attractive domicile to come to for structures and strategies, and an excellent known quantity from which to access pockets of capital globally which the more traditional insurance jurisdictions have less familiarity or contact with.

Caymans Expanding Value Proposition

Class D reinsurance licensees are obligated to have a physical presence in the Cayman Islands, including having an office with executive management permanently residing in the Cayman Islands. This is a no hardship posting! The inhabitants of the Cayman Islands enjoy a considerably higher standard of living than anywhere else in the Caribbean: the Cayman Islands is the gastronomic capital of the region; the Islands offer many recreational and cultural activities; real estate is well-built and entirely open to foreign ownership, regardless of nationality or origin; the schooling is good with European (A levels and International Baccalaureate) as well as American systems catered for; the Islands boast modern hospitals and excellent communications/ flights. The factors that have made the Cayman Islands appealing for international business transactions have also resulted in a cosmopolitan, highly educated population, characterised by a large professional class. All this makes the Cayman Islands a safe, non-threatening environment, which is perfect for establishing and carrying on a business.

While, historically, a lot of the business involving Cayman Islands entities was conducted off island, there is an increasing interest in businesses setting up and operating within the Cayman Islands, especially in FinTech, financial services, asset management and advisory businesses. This trend has accelerated over the last 18 months as a result of the Cayman Islands Governments intelligent, prudential and effective management of the COVID pandemic, as a result of which the Island has been COVID free since June 2020. This confidence in the ease with which smaller communities can be effectively managed (and without recourse to significant tax dollars) has led to significant inbound migration and business establishment in the Cayman Islands. As transactional activity increasingly originates on Island, the expectationis that, before too long, businesses will begin to transact substantially between themselves; at that point, the Cayman Islands will be well on the way to being a niche reinsurance hub and the convergence between different sectors, markets and technologies will surely follow. We see this as the next major stage in Caymans development and a paradigm shift that our firm has been preparing for and working towards for some time. With Government targeting a 40% increase in the population by 2030, the belief in the significant opportunities presented by the Cayman Islands is not just held by those coming to the island but by those already here, whether working in the public or private sector.

Our firm has played leading role in the developments discussed above. Feedback on the jurisdiction from reinsurers, annuity providers and specialist advisory businesses is universally positive. We are seeing considerable growth and activity and, for the reasons cited above, we expect this only to increase. We started this article by observing that there had been a two-fold increase in the number of fully licensed reinsurance entities over the last 18 months. We conclude this article by predicting a further two-fold increase over the 18 months to come.

Continued here:

Reinsurance Activity In The Cayman Islands Doubling Every 18 Months? - Lexology

Opening in 2022, all rooms at the Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, will boast private terraces and a hot tub or pool.

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Alexandros Ltd to open Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton. Due to launch in Spring 2022, the new 37-room hotel will be Hilton's first on the glamorous Greek island, complete with private beach.

Each room in the new premier development, which is built on the south coast of the island with a private beach, will benefit from its own private terrace and guests will be able to take a dip in their own personal hot tub or swimming pool. The hotel's exceptionally designed rooms take inspiration from Santorini's iconic blue and whitewashed architecture, as well as incorporating the island's rugged natural beauty with stone walls and organic wooden textures. Guests will be able to choose between the hotel's two restaurants and two bars for a relaxed bite to eat or cocktail, with two of the outlets being located on the resort's private beach. With two pools, a spa, fitness facilities and loungers by the beach, guests can alternate between working up a sweat, being pampered relaxing and cooling off with a dip in the water.

On the southern tip of one of Greece's most popular islands, the Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection, is a short drive from Santorini's most popular sights. From the architecture of the island's cosmopolitan capital Fira to the prehistoric city of Akrotiri, visitors can explore the volcanic island's many must-sees without straying too far from the hotel. Less than two kilometres from Vlichada, a bustling marina full of seafood tavernas, attractions like the Santorini Arts Factory and neighbouring black-pebble beach, guests can explore Santorini against a backdrop of volcanic cliffs and visit colourful beaches like the famed Red Beach and iconic Perissa Black Sand Beach.

Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 100 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts, all offering a unique way to experience incredible destinations. In recent years, Hilton has signed an ever-increasing number of Curio Collection by Hilton hotels, with 66 hotels currently in development. The Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort will be the latest Grecian Curio hotel, following the recent opening of The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete, Curio Collection by Hilton in June.

The Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton will join the award-winning Hilton Honors guest loyalty programme, allowing more than 118 million members who book directly with Hilton to earn Points for hotel stays and experiences, plus instant benefits including contactless check-in with room selection, Digital Key and Connected Room.

Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton will be located in Exomitis. Hilton currently has two trading hotels in Greece under the brands Curio Collection by Hilton and Hilton Hotels and Resorts.

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Hilton to Debut in Spectacular Santorini with Stunning Beachfront Property - Hospitality Net

When Kalyn and Collin Pounders finally went on their honeymoon to Greece in July after delaying it for more than a year because of the pandemic, they were ready to splurge. The couple, who live in Atlanta and married in June 2020, extended their trip so that they were able to visit Mykonos and Santorini islands, got a nicer room at the hotel they had booked and even went on a private cruise.

At first, Ms. Pounders, 25, wasnt planning on taking the advice of her friends, who told her that this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip and that she shouldnt hold back on luxuries. But thats exactly how she and Mr. Pounders, 27, ended up approaching the vacation after the months of waiting and pandemic hardship. Were really glad we took that advice, said Ms. Pounders, who works as a clinical pharmacist. Her husband is an investment analyst. Weve waited for this, we worked really hard in between, she said, and when the time finally came, we were like Why not? We deserve it.

After the pandemic forced a halt for many honeymoons, this summer has shown indications that theyre back and bigger and splashier than ever before. The Travel Siblings, a New York-based travel consultancy that focuses on romantic trips, saw its honeymoon bookings, as of July, quadruple since last year. More than 70 percent of couples who married last year went on or are planning to go on a post-wedding getaway, a figure that is up almost 20 percent from 2020 and back to prepandemic levels, according to a recent report from WeddingWire.

The Pounders are far from alone in forgetting frugality on their postponed honeymoon. We absolutely can say that honeymoons are back with both a passion and a vengeance, said Harlan deBell, an owner of the Travel Siblings. Kara Bebell, also an owner, added: Since many couples have had to postpone their wedding dates several times, they are splurging more on hotel upgrades and private romantic experiences. Before the pandemic, the companys clients typically spent around $16,000 on a honeymoon trip. Now they are seeing that couples who had to postpone their original honeymoons are spending more than $20,000.

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The Return of the Dream Honeymoon - The New York Times

If you're looking for the ultimate escape from reality, why not rent out an entire private island? There are two private islands for rent in Minnesota, and one might just be closer to home than you think.

The first island for rent is Strand Island in Orr, Minnesota(pictured above). This island is42 acres big, and located on 11,000 acre Pelican Lake.

Kayak around the 9500 feet of shoreline or out to the nearby state park on Big Island- a 210 acre nearby island owned by the State of Mn. You have the entire island to yourself- no other cabins on the island- play, explore, hike or fish one of several private bays.

On the island there is a 108 -year-old home that features:

There is also a sauna house with a shower, a washer and dryer, and a 75-year-old log cabin that sleeps fouron the property. Plus you can rent out a pontoon from the island owners if you don't feel like bringing your own boat.

Renting out this island is a 7 night minimum, and the price isn't listed online, it just says to inquire for rates.

The next island available for rent in Minnesota is Fantasy Guyisland in Central Minnesota. This 3.1 acre island can be all yours for summer fun and relaxation:

This island boasts a nice sandy beach on the west shore and has a gently sloping sandbar on the west and south sides making it perfect for swimming, lounging and just relaxing. There are lots of mature trees and areas to explore, including great 'fun zone' areas created for a bonfire pit, bag games and horse shoe pit.

The listing doesn't give the exact location of the island, but it does mention that the area of the river it is located on connects with Little Rock Lake via the Harris Channel which is about a mile away.

When you stay at Fantasy Guyisland you will be spending the night on the vintage yacht floating cabin.The yacht has 1 bedroom, living room, kitchenette, bathroom and a shower, making it a great escape for a smaller crowd. Check out the listing here.

Explore Maple Island Park in Little Falls

7 Private Islands For Sale in Minnesota

10 Minnesota Photos That You Can Smell Through Your Eyes

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Check Out These Private Islands For Rent in Minnesota - kroc.com

It may be a tiny shack on an island, but it could be your tiny shack on an island. Right now, Sea Shell Key, also known as "Pretty Joe Rock," is currently on the market in the Florida Keys.

Located at 1 Pretty Joe Rock, in Marathon, the private, quarter-of-an-acre island is currently used as a vacation rental, and was once featured on HGTV's "Buying the Beach." The 1,006-square-foot home comes with two-bedrooms and two-bathrooms, as well as three decks, an easement for access and parking, a deep water dock, and zero neighbors.

The island is also but fully capable of building pretty much whatever you want on it, since it's connected with shore electricity, and city water.

Pretty Joe Rock is currently asking $2,500,000 and the listing agent is Gidget Jackson of Re/Max Realty Group.

Photos via TripAdvisor/Zillow

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'Pretty Joe Rock,' one of Florida's rare private islands, is now on the market - Creative Loafing Tampa

Disney World has an agreement with its unions that members must get COVID-19 vaccinations by Oct. 22. They can apply for medical and religious exemptions. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP hide caption

Disney World has an agreement with its unions that members must get COVID-19 vaccinations by Oct. 22. They can apply for medical and religious exemptions.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Florida's Walt Disney World will now require union employees as well as non-union and salaried workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to keep their jobs at the theme park. The company also said Wednesday it would soon require vaccines for its cruise passengers ages 12 and up on ships to the Bahamas.

The deal was reached Monday with a union coalition, shortly after the Pfizer vaccine earned full Food and Drug Administration approval. It requires the workers to show proof of vaccination by Oct. 22 to remain employed, although employees can request exemptions for medical or religious reasons, a union statement said.

Any employee who doesn't comply, and doesn't request an exemption, will be "separated from the company with a 'yes' rehire status," according to the Service Trades Council Union. Before layoffs and furloughs due to the pandemic, the coalition covered about 43,000 of 77,000 Disney World workers.

Disney announced last month that all non-union hourly and salaried employees would be required to receive the vaccine within 60 days. The company also asked all employees who were working from home to show proof of vaccination before returning to work.

The company will hold on-site vaccine events for employees over the next several weeks, the union statement said.

On the cruise side, Disney will require all passengers ages 12 and older to be fully vaccinated on trips to the Bahamas. The decision comes days after that country announced it would not allow ships to enter its ports, including private islands owned by various cruise lines unless eligible passengers are fully vaccinated. The order runs from Sept. 3 through Nov. 1.

Earlier this month, 26 crew members and one passenger tested positive for COVID-19 on a Carnival cruise just before the ship made a stop in Belize City.

According to a statement from Disney, unvaccinated children must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the cruise and will also be given a second test at the terminal before boarding.

"We are resuming sailing in a gradual, phased approach that emphasizes multiple layers of health and safety measure," the statement said.

Other cruise lines including Royal Caribbean have updated their policies with similar mandates. Carnival said that only children under 12 and adults with a medical condition that prohibits vaccination are exempt from the requirements starting Aug. 28 through October, for departures from all Atlantic and Gulf homeports.

Norwegian Cruise Line already had a vaccinated-only passenger policy in place.

The mandates conflict with orders of Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who forbid cruise lines from requiring vaccines for passengers. The issue is being decided in the courts where the latest ruling by a federal appeals court overturned pandemic restrictions on Florida-based cruise ships.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is fighting the DeSantis-led lawsuit challenging the regulations, arguing the rules would prevent future COVID-19 outbreaks on ships that are vulnerable to the spread of the virus because of their close quarters and frequent stops at foreign ports.

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Disney World Has An Agreement To Require Union Workers To Be Vaccinated - NPR

While you were sleeping, we compiled the biggest stories of the day in one place. Each story has a quick and easy summary, so you're prepared for whatever the day brings. Just click on the links if you want to know more!

1. Evacuations resume after Kabul bombings as death toll now over 100:Evacuation flights from Afghanistan have resumed with new urgency a day after two suicide bombings targeted the thousands of desperate people fleeing the Taliban takeover and killed more than 100.

Military officials have confirmed that 13 U.S. service members were killed including 11 Marines and a Navy medic. The U.S. says further attempted attacks are expected ahead of the Tuesday deadline for foreign troops to leave, ending Americas longest war.

President Joe Biden vowed to complete the evacuation of Afghanistan and hunt down those responsible for the killings.

Evacuations resume after Kabul bombings as death toll now over 100

2. Florida reports 901 more COVID-19 deaths:Florida reported 901 previously unreported COVID-related deaths on Thursday. Those deaths didnt all occur in the one day, but instead span back over weeks.

Florida also saw an increase of 21,765 cases on Thursday. More than 26,000 new cases were reported Wednesday, a one-day record.

Florida leads the nation with 16,833 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Thursday, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Palm Beach County COVID-19 hospital report shows bed deficit

3. Tropical Storm Ida expected to strengthen into major hurricane before landfallTropical Storm Ida formed Thursday evening in the Caribbean and is expected to rapidly strengthen into a hurricane over the weekend as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico.

Ida is now expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before landfall across coastal LA/MS Sunday-Monday.

The storm is packing maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts and is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph.

Tropical Storm Ida expected to strengthen into major hurricane before landfall

4. Judge to rule on Florida's public school mask mandate ban today:The lawsuit was brought earlier this month by pro-mask parents alleging the ban risks the health and safety of students. The governor and ed officials have said the "Parents Bill of Rights," a 2021 law, protects a parents decision to opt-out of any school district's mask mandate.

Attorneys for the governor spent Wednesday mounting a fierce defense of the order. They brought before the judge parents who testified masking would harm the education of their children.

Judge John Cooper with Florida's 2nd Judicial Circuit is expected to issue his ruling after a day and a half of review, Friday morning.

Testimony wraps up in lawsuit over masks in Florida schools

5. Ready to set sail? Princess Cruises aren't:Princess Cruises is pushing back the return of two of its ships and is canceling several sailings amid a recent surge in coronavirus infections.

Passengers booked on a now-canceled cruise can receive either a full refund or a future cruise credit or be moved to an equivalent future cruise.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line now require full vaccinations for guests 12 and older prior to sailing on any of its cruises, including its Florida ports.

Disney Cruise Lines is requiring vaccination for all voyages to the Bahamas including private islands.

Disney to require COVID-19 vaccination for cruises to Bahamas

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On This Day In HistoryThe most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history occurs on Krakatoa (also called Krakatau), a small, uninhabited volcanic island located west of Sumatra in Indonesia, on August 27, 1883.

Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m. And you can always watch the latest news from WPTV anytime on your favorite streaming device. Just search for "WPTV."

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5 Things To Know On Friday, August 27, 2021 - WPTV.com

World travel has reawakened, with more than 100 countries now open to travelers from the United States. Our delayed dreams of exotic escapes can now come true in exotic destinations such as The Maldives, where international guests without Covid symptoms are welcome to visit without quarantining on resort island and live-aboard boats. From August 1 onward, guest houses and hotels on inhabited islands have reopened.

With more than a thousand islands making up the beautiful Maldives, it would be difficult to choose just one to visit if not for the newest private island resort on the scene: Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, an archipelago in North Mal Atoll located just 45 minutes from Velana International Airport.

The Worlds First Patina Resort

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is the inaugural flagship property from sophisticated new lifestyle brand Patina Hotels & Resorts, the latest hospitality concept by Capella Hotel Group. Patina Maldives offers 90 contemporary one- to three-bedroom beach and water pool villas, and 20 studios, all of which embody a harmony of sanctuary and stimulation.

Guests can lounge in privacy, be pampered in a zen spa retreat, or become immersed in island life through tailormade wellness experiences and activities including snorkeling. To help you step back into social circles and nightlife, the resorts communal heart is the Fari Marina Village and Fari Beach Club where a vibrant social scene infuses various restaurants, bars, shops, and interactive music programs. The private marina also has dock slips, so do feel free to arrive by yacht.

Nine Bedrooms, Zero Looky-Loos

For the ultimate in privacy, The Beach Collection offers Patina Resorts largest villa plus six neighboring villas for your entourage. With nine bedrooms, seven pools and a private beach, you can live like a Kardashian but without all the drama.

The Art of Surprise

The property is a radical new example of biophilic design from renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, founder of award-winning Studio MK27. Art is everywhere thanks to a permanent art gallery and an island-wide collection curated by Talenia Phua Gajardo. And unique to Patina Maldives, iconic artist James Turrell created a site-specific masterwork called Amarta in the light-filled James Turrell Skyspace Pavilion. This autonomous structure invites guests inside to explore the space and light that inhabits it, and to gaze upward through the sky-light aperture.

Attainable Sustainability

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is launching with forward-thinking sustainability best practices, to reduce energy consumption while also protecting the environment. From zero-waste kitchens and recycling marine plastic to offering free dive lessons to children to nurture next-generation respect for the environment, Patina is driven by its commitment to making a lasting difference.

Based in Los Angeles, Vicki Arkoff is a contributor for JustLuxe and an editor for Holiday Goddess, the online destination for chic women travelers from the editors of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Conde Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and BBC. She's co-author of the bestselling Holiday Goddess books (HarperCollins and iTunes) including 'The Holiday Goddess Guide to Paris, London, New York, Rome' which spent nearly 10 months in the travel Top 10. Four city guidebooks followed and were named 'books of the month.' As editor, Vicki's other books include 'Sinatra' (DK), 'Inside Mad' (Time-Life) and 'Virgin Los Angeles' (Virgin Books). She is one of the Usual Gang of Idiots for MAD Magazine, an entertainment reporter (Daily Variety, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Magazine, CREEM), and authorized biographer for pop culture icons from the Beach Boys to Beastie Boys, Paul McCartney to MC Hammer.

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5 Ways Patina Maldives, Fari Island is the First of its Kind - Pursuitist

Where There's Smoke: Fires continue to sprout and spread in our greater Big Lake neighborhood. As this photo of downtown Duluth by Sara Blanck shows, the smoke from the north definitely affected the city this week, looking more like a usual foggy day than a day obscured by drifting wildfire smoke. Air quality alerts were issued for northeastern Minnesota this week.Several closures along the boundary waters and forest lands have resulted from fires in the Superior National Forest and across the border in Ontario. The U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday closed lands and roads along the upper portion of the Gunflint Trail. On Wednesday, the firefighting crews took advantage of weather conditions and a shift in wind direction to initiate some tactical fires to reduce fuel for the wildfires (like this tactical burn along Highway 1). The Greenwood fire covered nearly 26,000 acres by Thursday and already destroyed at least 12 primary and 57 outbuilding structures near McDougal Lake. All of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was closed, at least until Saturday, "due to active and increasing fire activity, extreme drought, limited resources," according to the Forest Service, citing "Canadian fires and John Elk Lake, Whelp Lake, and other fires." On the Ontario side of

the BWCAW, the interior of Quetico Provincial Park is closed through Sept. 4. Isle Royale National Park rangers and others also are battling a fire on the island. By Thursday, the 230-acre Horne fire was about 15% contained. All campfires are banned there and several areas of the park are closed. The island fire started in near the Duncan Bay/Tobin Harbor Portage Trail on Aug. 10, likely from lightning. Meanwhile, up north of the Big Lake region, 82 active wildfires continue in Northwestern Ontario, shown on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry's interactive map.

A Bushplane's BFF: Bob Parr says he's been involved with airplanes and model-airplane building "since before sales tax, some people might remember that." Now the volunteer at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie is putting his knowledge and skills to good use on a real aircraft. He's helping to repair and refinish a 1929 Fairchild KR-34, an all purpose bi-plane built in Maryland and used for spotting poachers in Algonquin Provincial Park. SooToday produced a great video conversation with Bob about his passion for planes. "It's just a great hobby, it's something to do and it's interesting," says Bob, whose work will be done in about a year and official unveiled in 2024. The heritage centre is a particularly good topic for these times, since it preserves the history of planes that water bombed wildfires and of the firefighters who battled those blazes.

Are You My Mother?: A team of U.S. and Canadian researchers has assembled a "reference genome" for lake trout, cutting-edge research that was a vital missing link in efforts to restore the fish within the Great Lakes, according to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. "For the first time, a map of the lake trout genome has been assembled and is available publicly. The genome assembly was recently published in the journal Molecular Ecology Resources in a paper titled 'A chromosome-anchored genome assembly for Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush),' the commission posted. "A reference genome is a standardized digital sequence or map of nucleic acids, which code the building blocks of life, assembled into a set of genes. With this completed genome assembly, scientists will now have the tools to reveal the genetic foundation for traits that have allowed lake trout to take advantage of the myriad habitats and conditions across the species North American range. Moreover, the assembly will help scientists understand why different types of lake trout (called morphotypes) survive and reproduce in the various ways they do. With this knowledge, fishery managers will be better equipped to take steps that will support lake trout conservation and restoration, in the wild and through the help of hatcheries." Lake Superior has its own examples of "morphotypes," we believe the siscowet (fatty) and lean versions of the lake trout. Lake trout, the population of which collapsed in the late 1950s, have again been reproducing in the Big Lake for a number of years. Just last week, WKBW in Buffalo, N.Y., did a story about the first documented lake trout reproduction in Lake Erie for more than 60 years.

Downed Dock: A portion of the concrete dock alongside the Lakeshore Center at Michigan Technological University in Houghton crumbled into Portage Canal this week. The deterioration was not unexpected, according to a release from Michigan Tech. "The dock had been under surveillance due to cracking and shifting, and foot traffic on the dock was restricted two weeks ago while its condition was under assessment. Michigan Tech Public Safety and Police Services, as well as UP Engineers and Architects, were on the scene immediately after the dock portion fell. Initial reports indicate the Lakeshore Center was not damaged and is not at risk. Out of an abundance of caution, access to the building is currently restricted, with only those who are helping assess and repair the damage allowed on-site. Employees have been asked to work remotely for approximately 10-14 days until repairs are complete." The center, located off the main campus, houses some administrative offices and has had commercial tenants.

New Paint on the Walls: Marquette and Manistique in the Upper Peninsula got to celebrate new murals this week. Both public artworks are part of the Power of Words Project, "a mural campaign that brings words to life with transformative works of public art," according to a press release from the city of Marquette. For the Marquette murla, award-winning artist Mia Tavonatti, formerly of Iron Mountain, and professional mural team member Sharon Maldonadol worked with local artists Emmalene Oysti, Sabrina Langdon, Michele Tuccini, Michelle Earle, plus Shannon Taylor and Sari Nomura, both students at Northern Michigan University. The "Natural" mural is at the corner of Ohio and Third streets downtown. It was officially unveiled on Wednesday. In Manistique, Mia also did the "Harmony" mural unveiled on Thursday as the third Power of Words production in the town.

Nice Rice: Wild ricing is under way on the reservation of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe in Minnesota, reports the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission. GLIFWC's manoomin (wild rice) database shows which areas around the broad region are open for harvesting. GLIFWC, based in Odanah on the Bad River Ojibwe reservation in Wisconsin, represents 11 Ojibwe tribes in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. Peter David, a wildlife biologist with GLIFWC, told Katie Thoresen of WXPR that central Wisconsin appears to have low production of wild rice. "It may be one of the very worst years Ive seen in 35 years," he said. In Northwestern Wisconsin, the harvest appears to be good and in Minnesota very good, according to aerial images taken. In some places, though, smoke from fire inhibited the view.

Turnkey Paradise: Thats how Private Islands Inc. describes Gitchie Manitou Island on Lake Michigamme about one hour west of Marquette. The island can be reached by a 15-minute boat ride out of Champion and is up for sale by owner/author Jeffrey L. Rodengen, known for dozens of legend books from The Legend of Chris-Craft to NRA: An American Legend to one most appropriate for these times perhaps, The Legend of Pfizer. Along with 10 wooded acres and a 30-foot waterfall, a new owner gets a master log cabin and three guest cabins plus Jeffrey has done a lot of upgrades while hes owned the island, including electricity thanks to an underwater cable and five-bar cell service. When I came here 30 years ago, there was nothing on the island. It had been untouched since the glacier receded 12,000 years ago, he told Edward Pevos of MLive. Theres a lot of things that go with the island. Seven pages of stuff. Furniture, dishes... everything. Someone can literally just show up on the island and not have to do anything but just put food in the refrigerators and freezers. That seven pages includes check this out a 30-foot customized three-log Lowe Pontoon Boat with custom trailer, 18-foot Chris-Craft Runabout with trailer, 18-foot Hobie Cat with trailer, Aluminum Grumman Canoe with sailing rig, two Yamaha Waverunners with tandem trailer, and a small flotilla of inflatables and a selection of water skis and other watersports inventory. Asking price: $850,000. Bragging rights: Were guessing priceless.

Photo & graphic credits: Sara Blanck; Superior National Forest; National Park Service; Great Lakes Fishery Commission; Mia TavonattiProductions; Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission; Jeffrey L. Rodengen

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Around the Circle This Week: August 27, 2021 - lakesuperior.com

Richard Tribou| Orlando Sentinel

Orlando, Fla.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated is guidance Friday to warn those at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to avoid cruise ships, whether theyve had the vaccine or not.

It is a shift from the previous warning that only targeted unvaccinated travelers.

Severe illness means that a person with COVID-19 may need: hospitalization, intensive care, a ventilator to help them breathe or they may even die, according to the CDC.

The updated guidance specifically warns those at high risk including older adults, people with certain medical conditions and people who are pregnant or recently pregnant.

The CDCs update comes during the recent wave of the delta variant of COVID-19, which can prove deadly to even vaccinated people with underlying conditions.

Cruise ships returned to sailing from the U.S. for the first time in June, now with more than two dozen vessels departing from Florida, Texas, California, Washington and soon New York.

Most sail with a vaccine requirement for any passenger 12 and older. Children 11 and under do not have a vaccine option. In Florida, though, a state law that went into effect July 1 threatens to fine businesses $5,000 per instance if they require proof of vaccination, so most cruise lines have shifted their stance in the state to allow unvaccinated passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the parent company of NCL, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas, filed a lawsuit over the law and federal judge this month granted an injunction against the state from enforcing it. That opened the door for NCL to begin sailing from Florida with its vaccine-only policy.

Even with Floridas law shifting cruise lines stance on vaccination status, some of the destinations cruise lines most often go to have begun to require vaccinations of cruise line passengers. The Bahamas updated an emergency order this week with just such a requirement, forcing lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and MSC Cruises to limit sailings to only vaccinated passengers 12 and older from Florida when headed to the Bahamas. Carnival and Disney have announce any changes for their Bahamas cruises.

Most cruise lines have focused on the Bahamas as their main destination as they attempt to restart business after more than a year and half of shutdown. That includes stops at private islands such as Disneys Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbeans Coco Cay.

Cruise lines were at the epicenter of several outbreaks in early 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic expanded. The industry shut itself down in March 2020 and was then under a CDC no-sail order. Sailings only began after the CDC shifted to a conditional sail followed by months of shifting guidance before it allowed any cruise ship to sail from U.S. ports.

The chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high since the virus appears to spread more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, the CDC states.

Several cruise lines have increased safety policies including more mask wearing and pre-cruise COVID-19 testing as the delta variant has taken hold.

Despite the COVID-19 health protocols in place on board ships now up and running with the CDCs approval, there have been several sailings in which passengers tested positive. Most cases were limited to just a few passengers, and in several cases involved unvaccinated children, who then also infected their vaccinated parents.

The lines, though, enacted their quarantine policies and have been able to continue sailing without any major outbreak.

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CDC issues warning to not cruise to those at high-risk whether vaccinated or not - The Detroit News