Soundbounder

A recent article on Gizmag.com reports on a new “super-cavitating” military vessel created by New Hampshire-basedJuliet Marine Systems (JMS). According to the article, the new boat—dubbed GHOST—features special tubular foils that create a bubble of gas around the foils, all but eliminating drag. JMS states that “GHOST is a combination aircraft/boat that has been designed to fly through an artificial underwater gaseous environment that creates 900 times less hull friction than water.” http://boatinglocal.com/news/new-boat-flies-through-water.html

A semi-trailer headed eastbound on Interstate 94 drove off the road onto a pond near Monticello this morning, then broke through the thin ice and sank. State Patrol spokesman Eric Roeske said that the driver escaped with minor injuries after driving through a break in oncoming traffic after crossing the interstate median. The accident happened just after 6 AM this morning, on the western end of the Minnesota Department of Transportation's test facility on I-94. Roeske said arrangements are underway to get the truck winched out of the water. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/statewide/archive/2012/01/semi-trailer-sinks-in-icy-pond-by-i-94.shtml

http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2012/01/boatyard-blaze-woods-hole-destroys-two-vessels/99CT40KM5sNP0lZgTuSDNO/index.html

Additional video here: http://falmouth.patch.com/articles/video-photos-fire-breaks-out-at-quissett-boatyard#video-8832584

Cape Cod Times is reporting that a boat-storage building at the Quissett Harbor Boatyard in Falmouth, Massachusetts, has been completely destroyed by a fire that began at around 2:00 p.m. today (January 4). Video: http://boatinglocal.com/news/quissett-harbor-boatyard-storage-building-gutted-in-blaze.html

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office arrested a South Bristol lobsterman on November 30 after he allegedly threatened another lobsterman with a shotgun, firing a single round. Gregory Lawson, 53, faces charges of reckless conduct with a firearm and terrorizing. The round didn't hit anybody and it's unclear whether Lawson intended to shoot the other man, Zachary Geyer. Lawson fired the gun "close enough... that he could have injured" Geyer, LCSO Lt. Rand Maker said. http://boatinglocal.com/news/lobster-wars-flare-in-maine.html

Old Johnson Outboard commercial Now don't be getting any bad ideas!

45 Powerful Images from 2011 according to BuzzFeed: http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-most-powerful-photos-of-2011

National Geographic is currently holding its annual photo contest, with the deadline for submissions coming up on November 30. For the past nine weeks, the society has been gathering and presenting galleries of submissions, encouraging readers to vote for them as well. National Geographic was kind enough to let me choose among its entries from 2011 for display here on In Focus. Gathered below are 45 images from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature, with captions written by the individual photographers. http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/11/national-geographic-photo-contest-2011/100187/ 45 photos

Boston Whaler has expanded its classic Montauk series with the release of the new 210 Montauk, Whaler’s largest Montauk to date. http://boatinglocal.com/reviews/boston-whaler-debuts-montauk-210.html I haven't seen one yet, and the price is steep, but it looks sharp. LOA: 21′ 4″ Beam: 8′ 6″ Draft: 12″ Weight (dry, no engine) 2,500 lbs. Deadrise: 16˚ Person cap. : 9 Max. power: 200 hp Max. weight: 2,800 lbs. Fuel: 66.5 gals. Base price: $51,996

Poor choice of words. I meant that having the hidden compartments is a violation of law regardless of whether there is "content" in them. I tried to use the example of a smuggler getting busted even if he is not caught with actual contraband. My mistake. i hope this clears it up: The boat was boarded for routine inspection on Aug. 7 in the outer harbor, said Hamel. Using a well-established method, the team took routine measurements to account for all spaces when something didn't add up. The master of the vessel, said the Coast Guard, gave permission to remove the panel, revealing the "insulated void" with a deck drain. http://www.southcoas.../NEWS/108190307 "Installing a hidden compartment on any vessel is a violation of U.S. law," Neptun said. http://www.glouceste...ders-boat/print