North sea ferries

A distress call on an Apple watch meant that a kayaker who had been swept 4km out to sea could be rescued by helicopter. The man had originally gone out with another kayaker on Sydney 's north shore - but they became separated. Strong currents and winds yesterday (Saturday, June 18) morning swept one of them out to sea, forcing him to use his Apple watch to make an emergency service call shortly after 9am. A search was then launched, with New South Wales (NSW) Police Marine Area Command seeking assistance from the rescue helicopter and surf lifesaving. Jetskis and inflatable rescue boats were also deployed by Manly lifeguards and Freshwater Surf Lifesaving Club. Rescuers spotted the bright orange kayak 4km out to sea ( Image: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Rescue) The orange kayak was spotted nearly 4km offshore by the rescue helicopter, with the kayaker struggling to stay upright at this point due to his fatigue. Helicopter rescuer Nick Pavlakis told 9 News, … [Read more...] about Kayaker swept 4km out to sea rescued after his Apple Watch sends out distress signal

MetService Saturated parts of the North Island, which have been very wet in the last six weeks, are to get even more rain. Take a breath when the rain stops, because there’s now a bigger system on its way, with already sopping northern areas the first to face it. MetService has issued a severe weather watch for seven parts of Aotearoa that it anticipates will be hit the hardest by what is expected to be widespread rain late on Thursday and into a particularly wet Friday. A deep low, associated with fronts and troughs, are expected to approach New Zealand from the north Tasman Sea on Thursday, then over the country on Friday, according to MetService. A severe rain watch has been issued by forecasters, saying Northland and Coromandel would bear the initial brunt of the wet conditions. READ MORE: June temperatures 'well above average' in North Island; more rain for many western, inland areas Bluff residents asked to stay inside as building roof and powerlines come … [Read more...] about Weather: Heavy rain watches in place as storm prepares to sweep in on Friday

OPINION: Record high ocean temperatures and marine heatwaves have become increasingly common in the waters off New Zealand in the past decade. During the same period, commercial fisheries have landed lower volumes for several fish stocks, including hoki and tarakihi. Māori hold almost a third of commercial fisheries interests in Aotearoa, but these are constrained to certain areas. The impacts of warming seas on Māori communities’ cultural and economic future well-being are not well understood. For many Māori, fisheries are the most significant assets. With my colleagues Tony Craig and Katherine Short at Terra Moana, we explored how changing ocean temperatures may affect Māori commercial fisheries as part of the Moana Project . READ MORE: NZ urged to commit to stronger ocean, fisheries protection Push to ban commercial fishing of at-risk native eels reaches Parliament Wild weather battering fresh fish supplies around country Most of the fish species of … [Read more...] about Changing ocean temperatures may affect Māori commercial fisheries

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that at least 77 people have lost their lives as monsoon rains wreak havoc across the country, with 39 deaths reported from Balochistan alone. The current monsoon rains left hundreds of homes destroyed and hampered rescue operations in remote areas of the country. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister termed the casualties a "national tragedy" and said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a national contingency plan to deal with the situation during the monsoon season. The NDMA has also called on people to stay alert to prevent further damage, she added. “We need a comprehensive plan to avert these [deaths and devastation] as all of this destruction is taking place due to climate change." The rains have not stopped and will continue till July 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which has also warned of water logging in low-lying … [Read more...] about Sherry Rehman terms rain casualties ‘national tragedy’ as death toll climbs to 77

ISLAMABAD: The current spell of monsoon rains has claimed at least 77 lives in the country so far, revealed Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman Wednesday. Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Rehman said that out of the total, 39 rain-related fatalities were reported from Balochistan alone — the most from any province. The climate change minister termed the deaths a “national tragedy” as hundreds of homes have been destroyed and rescue operations in remote areas are being hampered due to heavy rains. She added that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a national monsoon contingency plan, but also called on people to stay alert to prevent further damage. “We need a comprehensive plan to avert these [deaths and devastation] as all of this destruction is taking place due to climate change,” the federal minister said. The rains have not stopped and will continue till July 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department … [Read more...] about Current spell of monsoon rains claim 77 lives in Pakistan: Sherry Rehman

We are now several months into the conflict with Russia. I say “we” because we are all pretending here in the West that the real war is between Russia and Ukraine but (nod nod wink wink) if we clandestinely, in some sense, provide full support to Ukraine then maybe the Russians, foolish and backward as they are won’t notice and we can simultaneously pretend that we aren’t flirting with the prospect of a long, arduous and inconceivably destructive war. I want to say at the outside that I think what Putin has done is unconscionable; God only knows what the impact will be, as all four of the horsemen of the apocalypse are on the march again. I think that the collusion of the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church is even more unforgivable. Be that as it may, I also believe that the attempt to deeply understand the motive forces for this war, as it is very difficult to set things right (let alone avoid a similar future catastrophe—or even to stop this conflict from spreading) in the … [Read more...] about PETERSON: Russia Vs. Ukraine Or Civil War In The West? | The Daily Wire

A potent weather system near Australia's east coast has unloaded tremendous rainfall in the state of New South Wales for days, putting Sydney on track for its wettest year on record . The torrents have spurred widespread flooding in eastern parts of New South Wales, for the fourth time in less than 18 months. The flooding has triggered more than 100 evacuation orders. Since Friday, Sydney has observed 220mm of rain, while surrounding areas have seen far more - some approaching 700mm – which is around the amount London sees in an entire year. Sydney amassed the same amount of rain over four days that it typically sees in 1.5 months, according to Weatherzone, an Australian weather information company. READ MORE: PM: Flood assistance talk shows 'fundamental change' in Australian government view of Kiwis living there Stormy weather conditions in Sydney cause flight delays Sydney floods: Fresh deluge expected, residents warned not to return to flood zones The … [Read more...] about Australia flood, boosted by climate change, making history in Sydney