A collection of facts relating to the seas.
The highest number of recorded fatal shark attacks goes to Australia, 136 since their records began in 1700.
The Channel Tunnel (chunnel) began in 1988 and opened in 1994, 31.4 miles long. The idea of a cross channel tunnel goes back to 1802.
Parkinson's Law - it was C. Northcote Parkinson in the 20th century who discovered that, work expands to fill the time available for it's completion, that administrators make work for each other, and that managerial ranks tend to expand.
The total volume of water on the earth is 1,385,984,610 km3, 96% of that is seawater, the rest is made up of rivers, glaciers, lakes, snow etc.
The longest canal in the world is Saint Lawrence Seaway in Canada, measures 304km or 189miles.
USO - We've all heard of UFO's but few have heard of USO's, Unidentified Submerged Objects, there have been many sightings from ships around the world of objects travelling at incredible speed below the sea, a number have been seen launching out of the water into the sky.
The longest coastline in the world belongs to Canada measuring 202,080 km or 125,566 miles. The second longest is Indonesia 54,716km.
The deepest point in all the earths seas is the mariana trench 11,035 metres deep, found east of the philippines.
Why the seas are salty - it is the minerals from the land, inc salt that is washed into the seas by the rivers.
The age of a boned fish can be found by analysing the otoliths on their skin, tiny calcium carbonate deposits. A bit like using the rings of a tree to find it's age.
There is a well known cruise ship called Freedom of the Seas, the term freedom of the seas originally referred to the seas outside the reach of a country's coastal land, specifically 3 miles, which was the farthest distance a cannon could fire. Today a country's rights extend 12miles from it's coast.
in 1990 80,000 Nike trainers fell overboard from the Hansa Carrier, 700km south of the Aleutian Islands, amazingly many ended up on the beaches of Califonia, Oregan and British Columbia.
The sperm whale holds the record for deep sea diving, to a depth of 2035m, taking a total of 73mins.
Royal Naval Ships - In 1918 the navy had 4 carriers, 70 battleships, 143 cruisers and 443 frigates/destroyers. Today the numbers have dropped to 2 carriers, 2 battleships, 0 cruisers and 19 frigates/destroyers.
The most poisonous sea creatures are Zoanthids, the blue ringed octopus, sea cobra, box jellyfish and the stonefish.
Only six ships have been built with 5 masts.
The following fish can be currently eaten without the worry of its extinction. Wild alaskan salmon, ecologically farmed salmon, ecologically farmed shrimp, pollcock (except alaskan).
A sea mile is 1,852 metres.
The term knot is taken from the way sailors would drop a rope of knots from the back of a ship, measuring how many knots were traveled in an hour (using an hour glass).
There are currently 4 RNLI hovercraft in operation, at Hunstanton, Norfolk; Morcombe, lancashire, Southend on Sea, Essex; New Brighton, Merseyside.
Why lighthouse keepers go crazy - The mercury used in the prism float tanks would give off fumes. When food ran out, they would resort to eating candles. Two lighthouse keepers would drive each other mad, living and working together 24hrs a day for months on end.
A maratime myth? - Radio exchange between Galicians and Americans Date Oct 16th 1997.
Galician: A-853 speaking, please change course 15 degrees southwards to avoid collision. You are heading directly for us, distance 25 sea miles.
American: We advise you to change your course by 15 degrees northwards to avoid collision.
Galician: Negative. We repeat: Change your course by 15 degrees to south to avoid a collision.
American: This is the captain of a united states navy ship speaking. Change your course immediately by 15 degrees to north to avoid a collision.
Galician: We do not think that is either possible or necessary: we advise you to change 15 degrees southwards to avoid a collision
American: (agitated by now): Captain Richard James Howard speaking, commander of the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln of the United States Navy. The is the second largest battleship of the North American fleet; we are being escorted by two battlecruisers, six destroyers, five cruisers, four submarines and a number of other ships ready to support us at any time. We are heading for the Persian Gulf for manoeuvres. I don't advise you, I order you to change course 15 degrees northwards!
Galician: Juan Manuel Salas Alcantara speaking. We are two people. We are escorted by our dog, our food, two beers and a canary, currently asleep. We have support from the transmitters Cadena Dial of La Coruna, and Channel 106 for putting out maritime distress signals. We are not heading anywhere, since we are situated in Lighthouse Finisterre A-853 on the Galacian Coast!
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