Mike Slinn
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Sep
7
Sailor’s Worst Case Scenario
Filed Under Uncategorized
Sep
3
Liquid Robotics
Filed Under Uncategorized
James Gosling recently left Google to join Liquid Robotics, which designs and builds wave-powered marine robots. The San Jose Mercury News has more. Learn about the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider here.
In 2008 I had proposed a wave-powered autonomous vessel to Willow Garage just prior to designing and implementing the mission planning system for their autonomous sailboat. Although that project was canceled, it was very cool experience.
A few days ago I sent an email to Liquid Robotics, professing my enthusiasm for working on their team. Now I’m hoping the phone will ring …
Jun
27
Passengers on a new cruise along the coast of Somalia are paying to catch more than just salmonella.
A Russian luxury yacht company is now offering pirate-hunting trips that promise the chance to be attacked by real sea bandits. The yachts cruise from Djibouti to Mombasa in Kenya at deliberately low speeds in the hopes of attracting pirates.
Passengers pay $5,000 for the trip, and an extra $17.50 a day for an AK-47 and 100 rounds of ammo. The price includes free origami towels in the rooms. Former Special Forces troops are on board to make sure none of the cruise passengers are injured.
Mar
5
Gift for ‘Real Sailors’
Filed Under Uncategorized
Nov
26
Live Piracy Map
Filed Under Uncategorized
This map shows all the piracy and armed robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre during 2008. If exact coordinates are not provided, estimated positions are shown based on information provided. Zoom-in and click on the pointers to view more information of an individual attack. Pointers may be superimposed on each other.
Jul
22
Replacement Spectra Watermaker Filters
Filed Under Uncategorized
I love my Spectra watermaker, but the filters are really expensive. Today I found a replacement activated charcoal filter. Spectra resells the KX Matrikx Industries brand for $30.50. The filters are nominal 3 micron extruded carbon, 10″ x 2.75″. Filtersfast.com has the same filter (KX Matrikx +10 /2 10-250-190-975) for $8.50.
Jul
18
Whale Sightings
Filed Under Uncategorized
I just concluded a passage from British Columbia to California. Between Bodega Bay, CA and the Farallon Islands we encountered dozens of large whales: humpback, grey, and many individuals of a much larger species. Here is a video I took of two of these unknown whales. Any idea what they are?
Jul
4
I’ve had problems with timed transmit mode on my Raymarine C70 for years. The v4.29 software update seems to have finally solved the problem. Updated documentation is here.
Jul
4
Dial A Buoy
Filed Under weather
NOAA has a useful service called Dial A Buoy. Unfortunately, the only phone number listed is 888-701-8992; if anyone knows of a non-800 number, please let me know.
Please, no bad puns about San Francisco and “Dial a Boy”. This is a high class blog.
May
15
The Microtransat Challenge will feature seven robotic craft, without crew, competing in a race across the Atlantic Ocean.
This historic transatlantic race will run between September 29 and October 5, 2008 and start at Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The finishing line lies between the Northern tip of St. Lucia and the Southern tip of Martinique in the Caribbean. The USA is fielding up to two teams, and France, Canada and Portugal will each field a team.
The Pinta was designed at Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK. Pinta is expected to sail for three months at a maximum speed of four knots. Its designers hope the Pinta will become the first robot to cross an ocean using only wind power.
According to Pinta designer Mark Neal, “This is the first time anybody has attempted to sail across any ocean with an automated boat. The big issue in robotics at the moment is longevity and flexibility in a complicated environment. Something that can survive for two to three months completely unassisted while doing something interesting is a major challenge. If it does get there I will be seriously cheerful. It will open up all the oceans to environmental monitoring by robots.”
- http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=919
- http://www.aber.ac.uk/compsci/public/research/research-groups/intelligent-robotics.php
- http://www.gamesfather.com/video/Search-Microtransat-updated-1.htm