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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: Nov. 17, 2005 (954) 763-6533 ex 228 Bluewater's 2006 Event Series Includes Famous Authors In 2005, Bluewater Books & Charts expanded by moving into a new store on Cordova Road in Fort Lauderdale. In 2006, Bluewater is expanding in a new way. With 40 % more space in our new store, we are now able to offer an exciting schedule of events. |
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We kicked off our in-store event series on December 16, with Caribbean weather expert Chris Parker. He gave a detailed presentation on how to choose a good weather system for crossing the Gulf Stream. The event was packed, and attendees received a special discount on his book. On Saturday, February 11, Bluewater will host a special evening seminar with Nigel Calder. Calder has written many books on mechanics, maintenance, cruising and navigation. His Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual is now in its third edition. Among his other titles from McGraw Hill/International Marine are How to Read a Nautical Chart, Marine Diesel Engines. He has also written extensively for Sail Magazine. The topic of the seminar will be navigation. Calder says, "In this presentation, I will explore current levels of chart accuracy, important issues relating to the horizontal and vertical datums used in making charts, and some of the surprising consequences of converting paper charts to electronic versions. I will then look at the key differences between raster and vector electronic charts. Understanding these seemingly obscure issues is essential to safely interpreting the information provided by GPS and modern electronic navigation systems." Nigel Calder’s seminar is free and open to the public. It will be on Saturday, February 11, from 6:00 to 7:30 in our store at 1811 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Space is limited and seating is on a first-come-first-served basis, so it is recommended that attendees arrive early. Light refreshments will be served. Attendees will receive a special 10% discount on Nigel's books. The next event, "Instrument Expo: What does that thing do?," will be held on March 29, and will be an open house at which representatives from various companies will demonstrate how to use different navigational tools. For more information, to receive a copy of Bluewater’s event schedule or get on Bluewater’s Event Notification e-mail list, please call or e-mail Melanie Neale at (954) 763-6533, ex. 228, mneale@bluewaterweb.com. Contact: Melanie Neale, (954) 763-6533, ex 228 Re: Bluewater Announces Weather Seminar for Boaters on December 16 Join Bluewater Books & Charts in welcoming weather expert Chris Parker to the new Fort Lauderdale store. Chris, author of Coastal and Offshore Weather, Southeast US and Bahamas, is well known among boaters for his weather forecasts, which he transmits to his subscribers over SSB radio and through e-mail subscriptions. Chris Parker started observing and studying the weather when he was in 3rd grade, and by the time he was in high school he was broadcasting weather forecasts over an FM radio station in western Massachusetts. He studied meteorology for two years in college, and he’s a hang-glider pilot, which helps him study the weather as closely as possible. He and his partner, Michael, have lived aboard for 12 years and cruised for 5 years on their 34’ Morgan sailboat Bel Ami. Chris will give a short talk about what boaters, whether sail or power, should expect once they cross the Gulf Stream, and he will be available to answer questions afterwards. His book will be available at Bluewater. Come mingle with fellow boaters, check out Bluewater’s new store, grab some light refreshments, and learn about weather from the best. Don’t forget to bring your notepad! When: Where: For Immediate Release, November 17, 2005 RE: BLUEWATER BACK ON COURSE (FORT LAUDERDALE, FL) Late Saturday night, Oct 29, the power came back on at Bluewater Books & Charts. Both the store on 17th Street and the warehouse in Dania beach are fully operational now. Even though power outages continue to be a problem throughout the rest of Dade and Broward counties, it’s business as usual for Bluewater. luewater’s store and warehouse, like almost every other business and home in South Florida, lost power during Hurricane Wilma last Monday. Neither the store nor warehouse sustained any damage, although some water did find its way into the store. The past week in South Florida has been chaotic as people have dealt with downed power lines and trees, damaged property, fuel and ice shortages and short tempers. Many of Bluewater’s employees have faced losses, but morale is high now that the power is back on. John Mann and Vivien Godfrey, Bluewater’s owners, were able to do a limited amount of business during the outage, but both are relieved that the power is back on. "We still don’t have power at home," Vivien says, "but at least we can get on with life at Bluewater." Bluewater will be at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which was scheduled to begin October 26 and has been postponed until November 4. Booth location is yet to be determined, but it will be in the Bahia Mar area. Bluewater is also still sharing a booth with British Admiralty Charts and Publications in the Superyacht Tent, and will be burning chips and demonstrating software both at the show and the store. For more information, please call Melanie Neale at 954-763-6533, ex 228. Melanie
Neale ............................................. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2005 RE: ROUGH SEAS, BUT BLUEWATER STILL AFLOAT (FORT LAUDERDALE, FL) On Monday, October 24, Hurricane Wilma slammed into the West Coast of Florida. She crossed over the state as a strong category two hurricane, with gusts one category higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Wilma devastated Broward County, leaving 95% of residents without power, damaging buildings, and dealing a strong blow to the marine industry. However, Bluewater Books & Charts is one business in the industry that refuses to sink. Bluewater, which has been in its new building in the heart of the Marina District on 17th Street for about five months now, received minimal damage from Wilma. A small amount of water came into the back of the building, but no charts or books or instruments were damaged. The store has no electricity, as is the case in most of Broward County, but owners John Mann and Vivien Godfrey agree that things could be much worse. By Wednesday, John and Vivien had opened the doors for business. "People still need their charts," says Vivien. "And we’ve seen many people who are anxious to take their boats elsewhere until conditions improve in the local marinas." On Thursday, John and Vivien were calling orders for electronic charts in to Armchair Sailor, Bluewater’s sister store in Newport, RI. Chips for customers in Ft. Lauderdale were being burned in Newport and shipped by FedEx to Ft. Lauderdale. Bluewater is staying open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Mon-Sat, until power is restored. A few web orders were also processed on Thursday, through Bluewater’s computer system, which was relocated to Justin Mann’s house in Weston, where power had been restored. Justin is the manager of Bluewater’s Electronic Chart Department. Other Bluewater employees have been coming to work as fuel supplies and conditions allow. British Admiralty Chart corrections are being kept current as employees go back to basics and work by hand on a table set up under Bluewater’s windows. All the offices are dark. Bluewater will still be at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which was scheduled to begin October 26 and has been postponed until November 4, contingent upon conditions in Broward County. Meanwhile, all calls to Bluewater are being routed to Armchair Sailor in Newport. For more information, please call Armchair Sailor at 1-800-942-2583 or 401-847-4252.
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