It has been almost a year since we last saw the Sargasum seaweed on our golden shores and suddenly, last month it just popped up like a proverbial bad penny, appearing out of nowhere, or in truth, from The Sargaoss Sea, hence the name. This extraordinary free floating algae travels across the ocean in large mats or blankets, some of which can be huge, as much as two miles in radius. The area around the Sargasso Sea has a mat of Sargassum approximately 3,520,000 km² in size; which is an area three times the size of South Africa! These naturally occurring floating mats of Sargassum serve as homes to a wide variety of animals, including species of crabs, nudibranchs, shrimp and fish, some of which are endemic to the floating mats. It also serves as a rich nursery area for over 100 species of fish and protection for juvenile sea turtles, once they are in the water. Even sea birds feed and rest on the mats, while this floating ecosystem also attracts important commercial and game fish exploited by humans, such as dolphinfish or mahi-mahi, marlin and tuna. Locals often claim that it is the ocean purging itself. Very little is actually known about it but it has been suggested that changing temperatures and currents altering the Doldrums (yes they are real!) may be the cause. In summary, the mats of Sargassum weed washing up on Caribbean shores are a natural phenomenon and not a direct result of pollution; and the Sargassum ecosystem is one of the most unique in the world. |
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We don't think anyone can question Damian's dedication to our guests.... It's offical, we now have a floating barman! Pinot Grigio anyone?
This is what happens when you propose on the ocean....Brian asked and Rebecca said yes!!!! .... And congratulatory cheers spread across all the boats on the ocean that day..!!! She said YES!!!!! She said YES!!!
Time seems to travel so quickly nowdays, the Mountgay Round Barbados Race Series is almost upon us again, yet it seems like only yesterday that we were chatting about it. Organised by the Barbados Cruising Club in association with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc and Mount Gay Rum, this event, which is now in it's 79th year, promises to be one of the best yet with over fifty yachts expected to take part and over twenty of these are overseas entries. Beatiful weather, constant 12-18 knot east to east-north-east trade winds and a warm welcoming atmosphere of fun and camaraderie make this 60 nautical mile race one of the most popular on the circuit, nothing whatsoever to do with the lure of winning the skippers weight in Mount Gay Extra Old Rum if a record is beaten! We will not be racing but do suggest that there is no better way to feel the excitement of the boats passing than by being on the ocean with them. Imagine, being moored off the 'Platinum Coast' of Barbados, a delicious three course meal and a glass of your favourite tiple in hand watching the majestic spectacle of fifty yachts passing (if you are really lucky, with spinnakers flying). The date is Wednesday 21st January, book now folk, there isn't much time... (Photo creds to Bluewater). As Christmas rapidly approaches, you can almost feel the anticipation in the air on our tiny island. Everyone is busy, bustling about adding the final touches to their master plans in preparation for our peak tourist season and busiest time of year. December 15th heralds the official start of 'High Season', it seems strange that a date can raise the flag on industry but it really does, every year we seem to go from nought to ninety overnight. Suddenly the restaurants are full, the roads are busy, the supermarket manic and there is an energy wherever you go. Happily, out on the ocean we can get away from all of the hustle and bustle and have a perfect reminder of what a balmy, breezy Caribbean day should really be like and better still, because it is 'High Season' we get to sail everyday, sometimes twice! Sunsets can be quite spectacular in Barbados and much is made of them. From the ubiquitous sundowner, to the last swim of the day to settling in, opposite the horizon, to watch for that ever elusive 'Green Flash'. The green flash is actually an optical phenomena that can occur either right before or right after sunset. They occur because the atmosphere causes the light from the sun to separate out into different colours, the green appearance usually only lasts for a second or two at the most - blink and it's gone. Some say it is lucky, some say it's simply a matter of 'rum vision' but however you want to think of it, it's still a little bit of magic at the end of day, best viewed, of course, by boat. Our sunset cruises are the perfect way to view it... A glass of something lovely, some light canapés, a calm ocean and a perfect sunset. Barbados at its' finest. Sometimes pictures say more than words, Ann and David were married at Oceans 2 and immediately afterwards they joined us for a private charter. It was a truly beautiful evening for a truly beautiful couple and we so hope that they come back and join us for their anniversary! I'm really not sure what to say!
I suggested to Damian it might be funny to get a turtle suit.... I guess a dragon is sort of similar? Well it's green I suppose!!! |
RebeccaHi, I'm Rebecca, your hostess aboard 'Second Chance' and this blog author. My husband, Ryan is the Skipper and the 'Commander-in-Chief'. We spend our days sailing the beautiful West Coast of Barbados entertaining our guests, enjoying their company and enjoying life and we'd love you to join us x Site Linkswww.islandstore.net
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