In today's episode, Vanessa Vasquez of Humboldt Baykeeper wants you to take what is rightfully yours: a free boat ride on the long, blue watery road that is Humboldt Bay. 

Unlike Sea World, this is as real as it gets. Learn about the history, ecology, and wildlife of the bay.

Also, it's free.

So picture yourself doing five knots, wind whipping at your coat, while learning about the majestic bay we love so much.

Make your reservations by calling Vanessa at 268-8897.

Via Humboldt Baykeeper:

"These classic tours continue aboard our 25-foot Boston Whaler that fits about five participants for each hour-long adventure. Children of all ages will enjoy learning about local history and ecology with knowledgeable volunteer docents. These free boat tours are a great way to spend a morning with family or friends, not to mention the best opportunity to see first-hand the waves and wildlife that make this place special."

Coastal Currents Audio

PS - Vasquez also denies that Humboldt Baykeeper killed Blues By The Bay. 

As a part of the Wildlife Ecology Seminar Series, Stanford’s Taylor Chapple will present on sharks.

(Photos from Del Norte County Office of Emergency Services.)

A 20-foot mystery skiff washed ashore in Crescent City, NOAA's Keeley Belva told KHUM. Del Norte County Sheriff's office has now removed the boat, she said. "NOAA is going to work with the consulate in San Francisco to attempt to determine if the vessel is from the Japan tsunami."

NOAAKHUMaudio

If you believe you've encountered tsunami debris, be careful with it. Experts say that while unlikely to be dangerously radioactive, it may have invasive species, human remains, or other things that you just don't want to casually handle. 

Check here for Humboldt Baykeeper's debris-handling tips, then peek at NOAA's debris map here. If you think you've found tsunami debris, report it to DisasterDebris@noaa.gov.  

Dan Berman of the Harbor District will tell the semi-heartwarming story of the this photo, which poses more questions than it answers:

What is that thing?

Do its parents know where it is? 

What else is floating out there, and what can we do as individuals to help out?  If you see one of these docks, email dberman@portofhumboldt.org. 

Coastal Currents audio

Humboldt Surfrider has dealt with this before and even more before before. 

On December 24, local videographer extraordinaire Chad Johnson took his trusty quadcopter to Moonstone Beach and came up with something truly beautiful. The day was not without its problems:  says Chad, "my battery died on the 4th flight right over the river. I went in the water and lost the quad for 2 hours as I dredged the river in a borrowed wetsuit, using a big stick. Just as I was about to give up I stepped on the quad about 2 feet from the first place I looked. Amazingly the GoPro [camera] survived!"  

Costly, perhaps. But for us anyway, well worth it.