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Yearly Archives: 2016

Biscayne Bay went from 80 degree bliss to deadly in only a matter of minutes.

Paul Flowers and his friends’s rented pleasure boats being pushed up against the rocks by the bay’s violent waves and torrential downpour. The powerful winds pushed the boats closer to the rocks and things went south in an instant when the anchor became stuck and they couldn’t maneuver the boats away. The six-foot-two, 31-year-old Flowers from Harlem knew that it was up to him to free the anchor and save everyone on board.

“I looked to my left and I saw rocks so close I could almost touch them,” recalled Flowers’ friend Edwin Jacques. “I was thinking, ‘Oh, my God, these rocks could rip right through this boat.’”

Flowers jumped into the water without hesitation and swam down to free the anchor. He quickly tore it free but as soon as he did the winds whipped the boat beyond his reach.

“As soon as he lifted up the anchor the boat just started taking off,” said Jacques, who worked with Flowers as a corporate trainer at a Miami marketing agency.

“His eyes got big, and that’s when we knew he needed help. He was so overwhelmed and drinking in the water that he couldn’t scream,” Jacques said. “The girls were screaming and trying to throw life rafts to him, but they just kept floating back to the boat.”

“Then a few of the guys jumped in to get him, but it was too much for them,” Jacques added.

Police crafts arrived shortly after the incident and instructed the boaters to make there way to the shore while they continued the search for the missing Flowers. His body was found seven hours later in 11 feet of water by authorities using 3-D sonar.

rescue-1

“He would help anybody,” said his mother, Grace Flowers. “That’s why he’s my hero and my guardian ­angel.”

Jacques agreed: “He put helping somebody else before himself,” he said. “That’s exactly the type of person he was.”

It appears that more than a few hundred Syrian migrants have died this morning after Italian President Sergio Matterella said unconfirmed media reports that a refugee boat capsized near the Egyptian coast while attempting to sail to Europe.

Mattarella, speaking at a prize giving ceremony in Rome, said Europe needed to reflect in the face of “yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean in which, it seems, several hundred people have died.” He did not give any further details.

There are no further details as of yet so stay updated here on PBN as we continue to provide coverage.

refugees-boat

Desert Storm 2016 isn’t just a day for loud performance boats and crowds of boaters and partiers. It’s also a day to give back to the community in a big way. From boat rides and events for wounded veterans to less fortunate children, it’s all about make this an amazing experience for everyone involved. And don’t forget that event participants automatically receive VIP status! Get an inside look at how Spectre Powerboats and the rest of the Desert Storm Sponsors are going to make this a day to remember!

[Original Desert Storm Press Release]

New Sponsor – New Location

The 2016 “Spectre Powerboats Desert Storm Poker Run & Power in the Park Presented by Shugrues” Performance Boat Event is bigger than ever before. With a new Title Sponsor, Spectre Powerboats, plus continued major support of Shugrues Family of Fine Restaurants and the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Desert Storms’ founder; Jim Nichols of Lake Racer LLC in partnership with Jim Russell of Havasu based DSM Events LLC, have put together a wonderful event for the participants and spectators.

Krusin 4 Kids

We are very excited to announce that Teague Custom Marine is hosting the5th Annual Krusin’ for Kids event that is happening at DESERT STORM 2016! Those that have been part of Krusin’ for Kids know that this day is very special and made possible by our volunteer boaters, helpers and the wonderful “Kids”. The wonderful children and adults who warm our hearts with their enthusiasm and joy! We have several opportunities for you to get involved. From providing rides in your boat, assisting at the London Bridge Resort Docks, or participating in the silent and live Auction Wednesday evening at West Coast Drives. Please help the great work by New Horizons and Mile Marker Therapy by making your unique contribution!

You are the VIPs at Desert Storm

We’ve improved the registration and check in process for our guests at Desert Storm 2016. This will be accomplished in a number of ways. In years past the registration operation was open for a limited time Thursday at the Street Party on McCulloch Boulevard. This caused lots of waiting in lines that we are hoping to eliminate this year.

To begin, registration will be open from 3 pm until 9 pm Thursday, April 28. This year the registration process will again take place at our registration trailer but the trailer will be the back wall of our VIP tent located at the south east corner of the Springberg McAndrew Park located at the corner of Querio and McCulloch. This is the same place as last year.

You may enter our free VIP parking lot behind the tent by turning off of Querio (behind the Farnsworth compound). When you enter the tent you will “take a number” and while you wait for your number to be called to one of our three registration windows you may enjoy a Budweiser courtesy of Romer Beverage. In addition there will be a cash cocktail bar if you prefer.

So begin your Desert Storm 2016 experience with a relaxing registration experience, visit with friends, have a cool beverage, chat with Jim Nichols (we’re trying to keep him here to answer you questions)…then enjoy the more than one linear mile of Performance Boating displays and manufacturers and vendors at the famous Desert Storm Street Party 2016

Support Our Troops

We are bringing in a few Wounded Marines and Corpsman for the Desert Storm spoil them as rotten as humanly possible operation. Doing it up a bit different, to make it extra special and as comfortable a possible for them this year. It’s sure to be AMAZING! We are hosting 8 in all, Wounded Marines and Corpsmen and don’t tell Bob Teague, but yes I have a Soldier in the mix too! We have rooms for them and an awesome itinerary supported by the VFW Post 9401, the American Legion, the Elks Lodge, Havasu Classics Car Club and the Outcasts Group. I keep a very, very (insanely) busy itinerary for them every day for 7 days and 6 nights. They will only have time to sleep and typically beg to have a nap. We wear them out that well, it’s a seriously great mission accomplished. No words can really describe it all, but it’s definitely a once in a lifetime awesome trip for our guys who so richly deserve it. Here we go, hang on tight, this year will be incredible! Desert Storm Boat Drivers if you’d like to host/adopt one or two for a ride on your boat, please feel free to let me or Jim Nichols know. We’ll have a few of the few of the best of the best no, doubt it would be an honor for them to go for a put or extreme with you all. Let’s show these guys our love and respect! Hang on tight, here we go!
Karen Gill

Thank you for reading our newsletter! With only two weeks before the event, we still have tons of work to do. Which is why the end of the early registration discount is tomorrow – April 15th. In thanks for you actually making it thru the newsletter to here 🙂 if you register online after the deadline, I’ll keep the discount in place for a few more days. Just use the discount code NEWS16 when you check out! Don’t forget to send me your boat insurance – registration and liability waivers to complete your registration!!!

Thunder on Cocoa Beach Space Coast Boat Grand Prix is more than just a powerboat race. It’s a powerboating event of epic proportions that goes back for many years and grows bigger every single spring.

If you’re coming for the races, or the parties, you’re sure to get your fill of both no matter what!

Wednesday (Kickoff date – May 11th) and Thursday start off with the VIP, Media and Sponsor Reception at the Hilton in Cocoa Beach, followed by the High Octane Kick-Off Party in downtown Cocoa Beach where there will be live music, food, drinks, and the public will get a chance to met the race teams and see the boats up close.

Friday really gets the adrenaline starting to pump with the annual superboat parade that will take place around three in the afternoon. The high performance parade will start in Port Canaveral and end in downtown Cocoa Beach where around 8 o’clock the official Cocoa Beach Street Party will take over the entirety of downtown. With over 8,000 people expected to attend and everything from street vendors, packed bars, and the presence of big offshore race teams, it’s going to one heck of a night that you don’t want to miss.

Saturday you can spend the day with the superboats! Watch them get dropped into the water and prepared for race day as the teams work on them in the Wet/Hot pits. You can even listen to the live music that will be in Race Village but we know most fans will be tuning their ears for the sounds of high performance, high horsepower big blocks being started and tuned for final preparations.

RACE DAY! Spend Sunday watching teams battle each other for top prize and witness history be made as offshore racing takes everyone to the edge of their seats. Watch from the beach or get VIP tickets to watch it from one of the VIP Hospitality Tents. Either way, it’s bound to be a day filled with fun, adrenaline, and a whole lot of excitement.

We hope to see you there!

Make sure to check out the photos and video below from past races!

 

May 13th kicks off the start to the 3rd Annual Florida Powerboat Club Key West Air-Land-Sea Poker Run. This is the first part of this six day, double header powerboat extravaganza, and the club is ready to make this an event to remember. This event gets its own special TV coverage on FPC’s new TV Series on Destination America, shown on the Discovery Network, and to make it even better this event is open to Cars, Boats, Motorcycles, and even Airplanes or Helicopters! FPC has contracted blocks of hotel rooms in Miami and Key West to make the entire experience easy and more affordable.

To make this event even more attractive in every way possible, they have come up with a flexible new attendance format where you can choose to register for one-day to three-days, and FPC has discounted event fees for the Air Land Sea Poker Run to the lowest rates in years!

FPC is going to have a two option format, and here is the quick run down. On Thursday May 12, dock at Grove Harbour Marina for FREE! Low room rates are just $139 at the Courtyard Marriott Coconut Grove. Then head to the fantastic Kickoff party Thursday evening at Grove Bay Grill featuring Miss Air, Land, & Sea Bikini Contest! The Fun Run teams run down to have lunch at Gilberts or Faro Blanco, and return! The three day weekend teams continue on to Key West!

Here is the detailed breakdown of both options:

Option One Fun Run Format — Thursday Night/Friday Run- Just $ 195 per team/ includes:

  • Entry to run for crew of (2)
  • (1) free night dockage at Grove Harbour Marina
  • Thursday night party at Grove Bay Grill
  • Dockside breakfast Friday morning
  • Lunch for (2) at Gilberts or Faro Blanco
  • Team interview & profile for FPC TV Show, on Destination America
  • Fun Run participants not in poker run format/ Must book minimum (1) room at Courtyard Marriott @ $ 139

Option Two Poker Run Format for Thursday night through Sunday $ 395/team

  • Entry to run for crew of (2)
  • (1) free night dockage at Grove Harbour Marina
  • Thursday night party at Grove Bay Grill
  • Dockside breakfast Friday morning
  • Lunch for (2) at Gilberts or Faro Blanco
  • Dinner passes for (2) at Key West Saturday night party
  • Team interview & profile for FPC TV Show, on Destination America
  • Aerial photo/Video at Marathon leg of the run included
  • Must book minimum (1) night at Courtyard Marriott ($139/nt) and (2) Nights Hyatt Key West ($399/nt)

Contact the FPC Clubhouse for more information!

(Images courtesy of Florida Powerboat Club)

Wake Effects is at full throttle for 2016. They have another 42 MTI Center Console on order and hull number three of the all new MTI 340 Outboard Catamaran. Wake Effects General Manger and Part Owner Ryan Werner is excited to offer the opportunity to jump in on the new 34 Cat.

Ryan said “We have hull number three of the new 34 Cat coming and this is a chance for a new buyer to be able to get a custom build without having to wait. If they get in now they can create the paint renderings, graphics, interior options, and really have the entire boat their way. This new Cat is sure going to be a rocket ship with the twin Mercury Verado 400R’s.”

This weekend Wake effects will have a full display at the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association, In-Water Boat Show running Friday through Sunday 15-17 April. In addition their regular offerings they will have the 52 1350 MTI Catamaran with the “Environmental” full canopy on display along with a 42 Center Console.

Wake Effects has a dedicated team ready to get you on the water in just about anything you can imagine. Call them today to get in on the opportunity of a Lifetime!

During WWI, the Germans had the upper hand when it came to ocean warfare. With submarines that were increasingly good at avoiding detection, and armed with deadly torpedoes that they weren’t afraid to use, the British and American navy’s were bleeding badly.

While racing to develop advanced techniques and ships to fight the deadly U-Boats, a unique and almost comical method of anti-submarine protection was developed. In 1917, British Lieutenant Norman Wilkinson masterminded the concept of “dazzle camouflage.”

Dazzle Camouflage, dubbed “razzle dazzle” by the U.S. Navy, was the concept of using high-contrast shapes painted on ships in order to obscure the edges, disguise the bow and stern, and make it difficult for the enemy to discern the direction, speed, and distance of the ship. Without being able to accurately calculate these factors, the enemy navigator would theoretically be unable to accurately fire upon and damage the ship.

One type, developed by the US Navy, called the “Mackay Low Visibility System,” was based on the idea that such high contrast paint schemes would literally overwhelm the optic nerves to the point that ships would possibly not even be perceived on the horizon. One of the most popular designs was to paint a wave on the side of the ship in order to make the ship look as if it were sailing in a different direction than in reality.

Outfitting a ship with painted camouflage was relatively inexpensive and convenient. Each shipping port was outfitted with a crew of four to five camofleurs that made the transformation possible within a day, said Claudia Covert of the Rhode Island School of Design.

While being a truly interesting aspect of naval warfare during WWI, it was hard to say how effective it was since other defenses were always working in concert with the funky paint schemes. And after WWI, as sensor technology and optics eliminated the need for this out-of-the-box concept, the ships were repainted and all that remains are the photos we’ve provided below.

(Article and Image credit goes to The Washington Post)

Early Wednesday evening near the boat ramp at Holiday Park in Ft. Lauderdale, 82-year-old Luis Angel Dominguez was ran over by a younger man in his twenties after a heated argument broke out.

“The two engaged in some type of discussion. The suspect in this case picked up a rock and threw it at the victim’s car. He then proceeded to get into his truck and intentionally run over the victim” said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Gina Carter.

After being taken to the hospital in critical condition, Luis was unable to last the night.

Police are currently on the hunt for the suspect that was caught on camera driving a white 2000 Ford F-150 two door extended cab with a small 10-12 foot flat bottom boat in tow.

In 2013, Aston Martin celebrated its 100th year anniversary, not by designing the performance luxury car to eclipse all others, but by drawing the plans for an elegant powerboat, the AM37.

Only last year, the design by Aston Martin in conjunction with Quintessence Yachts and naval architects Mulder Designs, was revealed to take the form of a 37-foot, high tech powerboat that will embrace everything that the world renowned automaker stands for. Performance, Power, and Elegance.

While Aston Martin still hasn’t released anything beyond artist renderings and videos, they have, however, recently released sample materials early this year which indicate that the company intends to move forward with the design process.

The formal launch by Aston Martin and Quintessence is expected to take place sometime later this year. Both companies involved in the project are calling this “a boat that represents an entirely new concept for the yachting world.”

With the obvious success of the Aston Martin in the auto realm, we are eagerly awaiting to see the final result of their foray into the boating industry.

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