Update on Goetz Yachts - back in operation.

The Providence Journal reported Friday that Goetz Yachts is back in operation, rehiring 40% of its workforce last week and 40% this week after a client recommitted to an $8 M project that had been halted due to economic conditions. Eric Goetz reported that many of his employees were working over the last couple of weeks despite not being paid for their effort. That's dedication that you won't find in most businesses. The downside is that the company is operating in receivership. I'm rooting for them to pull this one out.

Chuck

Dewaruci Indonesian tall ship at Newport RI, June 2007

At the end of June, 2007 I was lucky to visit and photograph the largest gathering of tall Ships at Newport, RI since the 1976 Bicentennial. I motored around the harbor in my Boston Whaler. Traffic in the harbor wasn't too heavy the day before the parade of sail. On a cold day like today, the photo makes me think that spring can't be too far off.

Dewaruci is a 58.3 m (191 ft.) steel hulled barkentine sailed as a training ship by the Indonesian Navy. Construction started in 1932 but was delayed by world war II. The vessel was completed and launched in 1953.



Keep Warm,
Chuck

Signs of the Economic times: layoffs at Hinckly, receivership at Goetz

The Bangor Daily News reported today that Hinckley yachts laid off 25 more employees from it's Trenton, ME facility after laying off 49 from the same plant last October. The slumping economy remains the reason the luxury yacht manufacturer is cutting back. The latest layoffs reduce the number of employees Hinckley has in Maine to 215.

The layoffs at Hinckley come just a week after Eric Goetz Custom Sailboats, Inc. of Bristol, RI was petitioned into receivership and all of its 75 workers were laid off on Jan. 6. Eric Goetz told the East Bay Newspapers that the inability to obtain refinancing along with termination of a contract by an international customer precipitated the situation.a statement was issued, saying “The company is hopeful that this project will be restarted, however, in order to preserve its assets and to protect its workforce, the company laid off workers on 12/31/08 after having met its payroll and health insurance obligations,” You can read the story about Goetz atEastBayRI.com. Not that I could ever afford a boat from either of these companies, but I hope that this works out. There are a lot of related businesses that benefit from their high-end projects.

Hand Carved Wooden Striped Bass - Realisitic

A few years ago, a friend of my Dad's carved this replica striped bass to commemorate a beautiful fish that was caught by his son. That's some very impressive woodworking!

Last week the bills for the yacht club and the mooring arrived. Sure signs we are headed toward warmer weather.

Best,

Chuck

Sailing Ship Jeanne Johnson visiting Providence July 2003

I photographed the Jeannie Johnson, a 3 masted barque during her visit to Providence in July, 2003. My webshot archive of photos is here.

The Jeanie Johnston is a stunning replica of a 19th century sailing ship, one of the last before the steam ships took over. Her construction was completed in 2002, and she now operates as a Sail Training vessel, a Famine History Museum and a Corporate Entertainment venue.
Specifications:
Length : 45m (148ft)
Beam: 8m (26ft)
Draft: 4.2m (14ft)
Displacement: 510 tonnes
Rig: 3-masted barque, with 4-square sails/mast, and single topsails.

More fishing - 31" striped bass July 2008

Here is the best shot I have from fishing last summer. Caught near Kettle Bottom Rock off Jamestown, RI. Thanks to my son Nick for taking the photo!

I always enjoy seeing that glimpse of red in the western sky when I leave the office at the end of the workday during these first weeks of January. It's the first indication that the days are getting longer and spring is on its way.

Best,

Chuck

My legendary fishing outing - July 3, 1966

It was just after my 8th birthday. I went fishing with my Dad at Rocky Point off Plymouth MA, where the Pilgrim nuclear plant is now located in Podunk, our 19-1/2 foot Grady White runabout. We were bottom fishing with sea clams on dual hook rigs. I said, "Dad, I think I've got something". I couldn't lift the rod. He took it from me, pulled on it and said, "You're caught on the bottom. Try to work it loose." I played with the rod for about 15 minutes or so trying to get it up, but couldn't budge it. It was time to head in, so my Dad took the rod again and started pulling on it. Surprised, he said you've got a fish! We were very surprised when the fish came into sight and it wasn't one, but two big cod, close to 10 pounds each. Those were the days. I posed for the photo in our backyard when we got in. A priceless memory.

Chuck

Happy New Year, more winter photos

2008 ended with another 6-8 inches of snow and a frigid blast from the north. Here are more photos taken the week before Christmas.


This isn't the same Moonshine mentioned in my recent post