Dynamically flexible beauty..

Dynamically flexible beauty..

Monday, September 5, 2016

Rio de Janeiro. Guanabara bay


Worked in Brazil, some years ago. 

My second project in these waters. 


The project got a bit delayed due to "paper work". So the vessel spent some time at anchor in Rio before the start. Administration in Brazil is a nightmare. They have so many regulations, that they seem not to know what is required themselves. Think you're good to go, or done, then "up pops" another requirement. One thing that struck me, is the modern days lack of trust in every and all industry. Also here in Rio, all interaction with agents, authorities, or messengers delivering anything whatever. Had to be validated by a photo with their camera/phone. This to get a time stamp, showing that they actually was on board, conducting some service. Signed document with vessel stamp, is not enough.


Below "a lot" of pictures from that time, plenty of vessels..but that is kind of my working environment.(as always, double click on the pics to have a better view)


Might look boring to some, but main purpose for me to write these pieces is to show my nearest, what I have seen on my travels...ships, boats, rigs, choppers and water...lots of water  ha ha ..



2nd officer on the morning of arrival
Pau de Acucar, (cable car mountain) peak at nearly 400 mtr above the sea
Ch.Off Kronhamn 


Island Isolated light house,  


This whole island is covered in bird shit, hundreds if not thousands of birds circling above or sitting on the rock.(I do not want to go there) 
Wire for the cable car, this started operation 1912 

Yes....(centered)Jesus 700 meters above sea level on mount Corcovado.
Swedish concrete shipped to Brazil for building the foundation only(not the actual statue.) All completed 1931, thus Swedish mariners called the statue "Limhamns Jesus".

Nice Villa, and the legs of a "Jack-up" rig in the background.


One of my favourite Cigars CAO Brazilia, and the Electronic chart over Rio and Guanabara bay
Domestic airfield On port side while entering Rio.
Naval base, Starboard side, after the bridge entering Guanabara bay. 
Lots of debre and organics floating down from the river into the bay.


Just look at the faces, clearly see that this bunch is joining the vessel.(waiting for the launch, to take us out to the anchorage, joining our vessel)
Big, small, smaller and very small boat.
A lot of fishing in the bay.













Emergency training and equipment test.


Early morning organised fishing. Guanabara bay









Munin Explorer, our source vessel(shooting vessel).
Good quality service boat, assisting anchored vessels.


Rio Anchorage, Guanabara Bay 
Big one, 10-12cm wingspan



Test of Fire Fighting system.
Lazy bird catching a ride on a float




That barge is loaded to the max one might say, ha ha.


Seismic 2D vessel
An abandoned vessel at anchorage. Rumors say, the owners went bust.
Former head quarters of Customs. Gothic castle of fiscal Island. 1889. Now a museum.
Cloud gathering not only over Rio, but Brazils economy, while Petrobras scandal emerge. 
View from my Hotel, Copacabana
At anchorage, we frequently heard shots fired(Guns), a local crew member explained that it is the local drug dealer, announcing that he has got "stuff to sell", one shot for "pot", two for "smack"or  three for"Coke" etc..

Finally got on our way to the prospect  ...next blog






Friday, June 3, 2016

FDA on Cigars


God bless America..Land of the free.. Home of the place where strange decisions are made.
How where they thinking here? 

Regarding my dear cigars then...

Quote
"

Kurt's Corner
 

     We in the cigar trade have finally received the FDA’s ruling of regulations it “deems” to impose on the premium cigar and other tobacco trades.  Unfortunately, these new regulations will make it extremely difficult and expensive to innovate cigars (up to $300,000 and three years to introduce each size of each blend).  To add insult to injury, the FDA has grandfathered only those brands / cigars in existence for sale before February 2007, when Congress gave them the right to regulate tobacco.  Thus, all of the innovations in cigar blends and brands that you have enjoyed since February 2007 will simply cease to exist by June 2018. By some estimates, this includes up to 50% of the cigars in the typical cigar shop humidor.
    Yet we hold out hope!  A Bill to exempt premium cigars, H.R 662, has passed the House Appropriations Committee, and now goes to the whole house for vote.  A similar bill exits in the Senate: S. 441.  How can you help? Go to www.cigarrights.org. Sign the petition. And take “Action” with your Congressman and Senator via the “Action Alert” banner at the top.  Your favorite pastime needs you, NOW!


Kurt Van Keppel
President, XIKAR Inc.
""
End quote.


Quote
" 
A manufacturer can submit an application if a cigar introduced to the market after February 15, 2007 is substantially similar to a cigar that was already on the market. If there were no substantially similar products for a manufacturer to rely on, then the manufacturer would need to file a Pre-Market Tobacco Application (PMTA) with the FDA. The FDA estimates that the time burden per application would on average be 1,713 hours with some requiring as many as 5,000 hours for early applications that involve complex products and for which the company has no experience conducting studies or preparing analysis of public health impacts. The FDA estimates that an application will cost $330,000.00.

According to the FDA, the regulations enable the FDA to issue further regulations related to cigars that are appropriate for the protection of the public health.

David Garofalo Editorial of The Cigar Authority

""
End quote

Yes, by all means..., stop the introduction of new brands (blend) of cigars, and ban the cigar blends created post Feb 2007. "Protection of public health" ha ha ha...

Same time, US(Trump) says.. fuck the Kyoto agreement. Who cares about people soaking in polluted air, why control emissions that destroy our planet? 

Why mind the slaughter of youngsters and innocents from the many registered and unregistered weapons?

FDA wants to ban tobacco it seems., this while many states want to legalize Cannabis?

Our lord, and his disciples for sure work in  mysterious ways...?!!