Table of Contents / Index to Anchorages / Sample: Port Nellie Juan, Mink Island / Updates to Cruising Guide / Port Valdez Security Zones Updates /

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Table of Contents

 

Preface iii

Prince William Sound Marine Directory vi

 

Part I - Wilderness Cruising

Chapter 1: Prince William Sound as a Cruising Area 1

Introduction 1

General Climate 3

Flora and Fauna 4

Topography 5

The Sound's Origins 6

Earthquakes 6

Glaciation 7

Fjord Formation 8

Implications for the Mariner 9

Marine Weather 10

Precipitation 10

Wind Patterns East and West 12

Local Winds 12

Mirages 15

Fog 15

The Best Time to Cruise 16

Weather Forecasts 17

Waves 17

Tides 18

Gauging Tides without a Tide Table

Storm Surges

Tidal Currents 21

Rips 21

Tidelines 21

 

Chapter 2: Staying out of Trouble 22

Introduction 22

Equipping a Boat for Prince William Sound 23

Required Coast Guard Equipment 24

Additional Equipment 24

Equipping Kayaks and Small Boats 25

Hazards 25

Rocks 26

Logs and Deadheads 26

Icebergs and Glaciers 27

Avalanches 29

Tsunamis 29

Whales 29

Bears 29

Brown Bears 31

General Guidelines for Human Behavior in Bear Territory 32

Precautions to Take Prior to Going into Bear Country 32

Precautions to Take while Hiking 32

Precautions to Take while Camping 32

Recommended General Responses to Brown Bears 32

Jellyfish 33

Foul Weather 33

Pre-planning for Foul Weather 33

Hypothermia 34

Hypothermia's Signs and Symptoms 34

Prevention and Treatment of Hypothermia 35

Cold Water Drowning and Immersion Hypothermia 36

Treatment for a Man-overboard Victim 36

Late Drowning 36

Staying Found 36

Collisions 38

Commercial Fishing Operations 38

Crab, Shrimp, and Halibut Fishing 39

Fire 39

Fire Prevention 39

Carrying Extra Fuel 40

Finding yourself Dead in the Water 40

Faulty or Inadequate Maintenance 40

Impure Fuel 40

Running out of Fuel 41

Mooring Buoys 41

Safe Anchoring 42

Introduction 42

Types of Anchors suited to Prince William Sound 42

On-board Anchoring Equipment 43

Steps in Anchoring a Boat 43

Anchoring 44

Anchoring in Stormy Weather 45

Stuck or Fouled Anchors 45

Permanent Anchors 45

 

Chapter 3: Getting Out of Trouble 46

Loss of Power 46

Fouled Propeller 46

Towing 47

Going Aground 47

Taking on Water 48

Man Overboard 49

Fire 49

Abandoning Ship 50

Before Abandoning Ship 50

Jumping into the Water 50

Avoiding Fuel on the Water 50

What to Expect 50

Surviving in the Water 50

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) 51

Emergency Procedures 52

MAYDAY 52

Requests for Assistance or Information 52

Valdez Coast Guard 53

Rescue Services 53

 

Chapter 4: Northern Wilderness Boating 54

Introduction 54

Cabin Comfort 54

Avoiding Condensation 54

Outfitting 54

Cooking 55

Ventilation 55

Rain Gear and Wet Clothing 55

General Cleaning Procedures 56

Ways to Prevent Mildews & Molds 56

Getting Rid of Mildews & Molds 56

Cameras 56

Camping: Leave No Trace 57

Garbage 58

Historical Remains & Artifacts 58

Human Wastes 59

Land Ownership 59

Miscellaneous Medical Problems 60

Burns 60

Bug Bites 60

Fish Wounds 60

Giardia 60

Immersion or Trench Foot 60

Jellyfish Stings 60

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) 60

Sunburn 61

Personal Comfort 61

Clothing 61

Dressing for Extremes 61

Plastics and Garbage 63

Used Oil Collection 63

Oil in the Marine Environment 63

Wildlife Viewing 64

Bird Nesting Areas 64

Guidelines for General Wildlife Viewing 64

Marine Mammals 64

1997 Alaska Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines 65

Winter Cruising 66

Winter Climate & Weather 66

Winds 66

Choosing a Place to Anchor 66

Winter Travel 67

Superstructure Icing 67

Winter Lay-up 68

 

 

Part II - Passageways & Anchorages

Overall Chart of Prince William Sound 70

Chart I 71

Chart II 72

Chart III 73

Chart IV 74

Chart V 75

Chart VI 76

Chart VII 77

Chart VIII 78

Chart IX 79

 

Index to Place Names 173

 

Table of Contents / Index to Anchorages / Sample: Port Nellie Juan, Mink Island / Updates to Cruising Guide / Port Valdez Security Zones Updates /

Prince William Sound Books Home Page / Alaska Cruising Guides / Ordering information