Watercure USA - June/July 2021

IN THE KNOW FOR for June/July 2021

A COLLISION ON THE ST. JOHNS RIVER WHILE SAILING A FUEL TANKER The Day I Should’ve Died

Have you ever said or heard the saying, “But for the grace of God, go I?” On Jan. 5, 1975, I myself should’ve died. Although I’ve escaped harrowing maritime situations before, in this incident, without a doubt, survival was truly miraculous. While working with Gulf Oil, I was second Officer on a Coastwise loaded with highly volatile gasoline and aviation fuel. We left Texas fully loaded and first stopped in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where we discharged about half the cargo. From there, we headed north to discharge the balance of the cargo at Drummond Creek Naval Fuel Depot off the St. Johns River (near Jacksonville). Northbound, we encountered constant heavy thick fog with intermittent torrential Radar-blinding rain. Upon arriving at the sea buoy where the river pilot boards, I fully expected the Captain would anchor until the weather cleared. Plus it was now after sunset. After assisting the Pilot aboard, I went aft for dinner and then returned to my cabin amidships. At precisely 6:18 p.m., our ship was rocked by a massive impact on the starboard bow. It rolled heavily to port, and, still sitting in my cabin, I was jarred out of my chair right onto the deck. It was apparent that this was a catastrophic situation — especially with volatile fuel onboard. I could hear what sounded like four or five diesel engines from a locomotive coupled with the horrendous loud noise of steel being crushed. It was evident we’d been struck by another ship. At this point, I fully expected to see the imminent flash of a large fireball explosion ending my life. The crushing noise, which initially started from the bow area, began to groan closer. As my chances of survival were dwindling, I considered flinging myself over the side of the ship into whatever awaited me in the dark fog, including freezing cold water and potential rocks — I figured I’d perish in the explosion anyway. Just as I left my cabin, the other ship’s hull and bow sheared most of the cabin’s walls. Waterlines were bursting and electrical wires were shorting out and flashing. The water and fog were filling up most of the gaping hole and grew cherry red from the friction.

Captain Lance on the left his Bro-in-law Don Knoll on the right. Taken aboard SS Virgo when he was Captain.

Although the penetration stopped, the two ships’ hulls became locked together. I now hesitated to jump, considering that the water would be only upwards of 40 degrees F. So, I ran onto the bridge, where I saw some activity, to see if I could help in any way. When I arrived, the chief officer seemed stunned and bewildered as he stared at the pilot, who was uncontrollably weeping while sitting in a corner of the bridge. The pilot was emotionally undone. Meanwhile, the helmsman was waiting for someone to give him an order. “Back out, back out!” I heard our captain scream on the radio directed at the other ship. My main concern became turning off our circuits. The fact that there was still power in our electrical wiring while our cargo tanks were obviously ruptured and torn was of extreme concern. At any moment, both ships were surely going to perish in a ball of fire.

I ran to the electrical circuit box and shut off the power to the area where the collision had taken place. The captain instructed his chief

The chief officer’s living quarters were literally gone, but fortunately, he was on the ship’s bridge. If he’d been there, he would’ve been crushed.

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DIY or Buy?

LAWN GAMES FOR FAMILY SUMMER FUN

CLASSIC HORSESHOES: INTERMEDIATE DIY Tossing horseshoes is a great way to pass an afternoon. To play, you’ll just need to set up two sand pits in your yard. Get a handful of horseshoes, and you’re ready to go! Many DIY plans are available online, including one from HousefulOfHandmade.com/ultimate-diy- horseshoe-pit. Buy: Check out the kid-friendly rubber horseshoe set fromWayfair.com, which requires no installation, can be used indoors or alongside your outdoor game, and is safe for younger children. CORNHOLE: ADVANCED DIY The humble beanbag may be the most versatile backyard game piece. It’s used in the popular game commonly known as cornhole. To build your own cornhole set, you’ll need a couple of sheets of 1/2-inch-thick plywood along with two-by-fours, some hardware, and a variety of tools including

The warm summer sun may be enough to beckon your family outdoors, but lawn games will guarantee hours of fun outside. If you’re handy, there are plenty of great lawn games you can make yourself. If not, buy an off-the-shelf alternative and enjoy the easy setup. GIANT JENGA: EASY DIY All you need to build a giant Jenga tower are two- by-fours that are cut to length. If you’re handy with a saw, you can do this at home. If not, ask to have the wood cut at your local lumberyard. Be sure to sand down the edges before stacking the boards to create a classic Jenga tower! For extra fun, pick a few paint colors and paint each board. Visit ABeautifulMess.com/make-this-giant-jenga to see a complete set of instructions. Buy: Skip the project and buy GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower online, which retails for about $70 and stacks over 5 feet high.

a drill, jigsaw, and sander. Visit DIYPete.com/ cornhole-board-plans to get both written and video instructions. Buy: Ready to play ASAP? Cornhole sets are available from many large retailers around summertime, or you can order a customized set featuring your favorite team, family name, or characters from your favorite movies by looking at Etsy.com. Whether you buy or DIY, remember to have fun and always supervise your children while playing outdoors, especially when it comes to yard games!

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officer to gather crew members and prepare lifeboats to lower. I was told to stand by on the bridge for future instructions to the engine room.

The best explanation came from my wife. When I reached her by a local phone booth that day, she told me, “I always pray for you. I expect that God is going to protect you.” That brief statement impacted me. So, when I returned to the ship, I asked to speak with the captain. In Suzy’s manner, I explained the reason for our survival. He led me inside his cabin. There, I saw the officials and scientists that’d greeted us at the port. “These gentlemen here will be equally interested in your explanation since no one, including the explosive experts and chemists, have an answer.” He introduced me to these men, and, in a bit tongue-in-cheek, he said, “You’ve received high marks from me for your work Lance; go ahead and offer your explanation.” Then, I offered that we ought to consider my wife’s supernatural explanation, which she said so simply in a single sentence. The experts nodded affirmatively, one of them saying, “That’s the best damn reason I’ve heard.” The captain ordered it should be entered into the official log of the ship’s voyage — and so it was.

Then the current began to pick up, and the ship’s hull dug further into us again. At this point, because the penetration was so deep, it’d be difficult for them to back out solely with the strength of their engines. This was also about the time, however, of the ebb tide. As the tide intensified, it allowed the ships to begin disengaging with the other vessel’s powerful stern. (It provided a shaky moment when the other ship could’ve collided with us twice – and if you can ask the good Lord for one terrifying event, why not two?) Our ship now laid ground on the south shore of the St. Johns river. During the night, we inspected our damages and tried to ascertain how much cargo had leaked. By daylight, it was determined that we’d go to the dock, sort out what cargo was left, and begin washing out the tanks to get rid of any residual fumes so we could go upriver for repairs. That morning, everyone came to our battered vessel at the dock, including the Coast Guard, the gulf oil chemists, and explosion experts. All found themselves completely perplexed as to why these ships – particularly ours – hadn’t blown. Based on the type of damage and explosive material, plus the atmospheric conditions we’d encountered, there was no scientific reason for our survival.

In legally binding terms, the grace of God is what saved us all.

–Captain Lance

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LANCE: 716-912-9939

DREW: 716-946-3598

EASY TUNA POKE BOWL Inspired by TheKitchn.com

This protein-packed recipe is the perfect dinner for two on a hot summer night when you don’t want to turn on the oven.

MY WATER SMELLS!

Ingredients

• 2 tsp soy sauce • 1 tsp sesame oil • 2 tbsp orange juice • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced • 10 oz canned tuna, drained • 2 tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped • 1 scallion, finely chopped • 1 cup rice, cooked and cooled • 1/4 cup avocado, cubed • 4 cherry tomatoes, quartered • 1 tbsp sesame seeds

What Should I Do?

It can be shocking when there’s a strange smell wafting from the water in your home. Water majorly affects many facets of your health, and bad water can threaten those facets. But there’s no need to be paralyzed if your home’s water starts smelling. Here’s what you can do to feel a lot more comfortable and safer at home before you know it. NO. 1: DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. Water with a pungent smell could be due to dangerous bacteria or impurities. Do not risk drinking the water; trust us, it’s worth it for your health to buy bottled until your water problem is fixed. NO. 2: CHECK IF IT’S YOUR WATER OR YOUR DRAIN. When water starts to develop a smell, the bacteria often smells like sulfur or rotten eggs. It doesn’t have to come from your water though — it may come from your drain, especially kitchen drains where organic matter accumulates. To test your water, fill a glass with water from the sink that has the smell, then step away and swirl the water around in the glass a few times. If your drain is the troublemaker, your glass should have no odor.

Directions

1. First, make the dressing. In a jar, add soy sauce,

sesame oil, orange juice, and ginger. Secure the lid and shake until emulsified. 2. In a small bowl, empty the drained tuna and pour the dressing over top. Add the cilantro and scallions and stir until well coated. 3. Divide rice between two serving bowls. Top with the dressed tuna, avocado, tomatoes, and sesame seeds.

If the problem is your drain, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, then half a cup of vinegar. Wait 15 minutes, then pour in hot tap water.

NO. 3: GET A FREE WATER TESTING FROM WATERCURE USA. If your glass has an odor (or if you’re just not sure), it’s best to call in our specialists at Watercure USA to ensure that your water hasn’t been tainted with bacteria. Your problem could possibly be your water heater or even your water source. Luckily, we have plenty of solutions if your water is tainted, including sulfur filtration systems, bacteria testing, and limescale treatment. Watercure USA is a family-owned company that’s been serving Buffalo and Western NY communities for over 30 years. We’re the region’s most trusted company for water solutions and treatment systems. Don’t hesitate to call us at 716-946-3598 to get our experts on your side!

The Good News

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ” Lamentations 3:22–23

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INSIDE This Issue

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The Day I Should’ve Died

DIY or Buy: Summer Lawn Games

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What to Do if Your Water Smells Easy Tuna Poke Bowl

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Pro Tips for a Motivating Workout Playlist

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PRO TIPS TO CREATE A MOTIVATING PLAYLIST Orchestrate Your Workout

Whether summer temperatures drive you to work outside or simply make you want to move indoors where the air conditioner is blasting, having an upbeat playlist can help you quickly pass the time and feel good, too. There’s no better way to learn how to put together a motivational playlist than to ask a pro. Peloton’s bikes and treadmills are wildly popular, but now, users are working out through their app because of the high-energy instructors, many of whom have become known for their amazing playlists. Here are two instructors’ tips to put together a killer playlist. MIX IT UP Instructor Leanne Hainsby is known for the eclectic, feel-good songs that keep people pedaling hard in her cycling classes. Hainsby credits her vast musical tastes to her time as a dancer, which expanded her playlist for workout music. Which songs make the cut? Ones that inspire. “I think people will be so surprised by how

much they will push themselves when they’re moved by the feeling of a song or how the music makes them feel,” she says. It doesn’t matter if it’s ambient electronic music or a lilting Johnny Cash tune, both of which can be found routinely on Hainby’s cycling playlists. MAKE IT THEMED Whether you’re obsessed with ‘90s pop, classic rock jams, or David Bowie, you can use a theme to create workout playlists you’ll love. This is a great trick pros like Peloton instructor Christine D’Ercole use. D’Ercole is beloved by many for her themed classes, which range from an indie rock beginners’ ride to a fan-favorite all ‘90s ride. She also has holiday-themed playlists, like the one for her Women’s History Month ride in March that featured only female artists. You can always hop onto Spotify and check out the Peloton page to see all of their instructors’ recent playlists. Use this for inspiration to create your own list or stream whichever compilation catches your attention for your next workout.

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DREW: 716-946-3598

LANCE: 716-912-9939