Unknown Noises at Anchor
Eric Willoughby
I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the Balearic
Islands.
Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
I am accessing the Internet via my GSM mobile phone :-( very
expensive). To keep my online costs down I would appreciate any
response being copied to my email address.
--
Eric Willoughby
s.v. Blue Snapper
Email: e...@propix.prestel.co.uk
James H. Maynard
In article 323a195...@news.prestel.co.uk,
It could be shrimp. I haven't heard that noise myself, but have
read that shrimp make noises like that.
(Which reminds me of some humour. Two examples of
contradictions in terms are "army intelligence" and
"jumbo shrimp.")
Jim Maynard, K7KK -- Salem, Oregon, USA
jmay...@teleport.com (Home), iim...@iim.ups.com (Work)
"Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout...."
(COLREGS Rule 5)
Ramon Gandia
Eric Willoughby wrote:
>
> Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
> sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
> anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
> hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
> noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
I think it is mostly that in a boat, at night particularly, there are
no distractions and one gets attuned to these sort of things. Like
the anchor dragging. Ive heard lobsters and crustaceans make noise,
so do some fish and whales. Then there is the ocassional Loch Ness
monster scratching his back on your keel.
Beats the hell out of me.
Ramon, AL7X
Nome, Alaska
s/v Seven Stars
Barrie Avis
In article <323a195...@news.prestel.co.uk>, Eric Willoughby
<e...@propix.prestel.co.uk> writes
>I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the Balearic
>Islands.
>
>sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
>anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
>hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
>noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
>
We were told it is the Snapper Shrimps - they make this very load snap
noise to stun their prey - and when millions of the all do it the noise
is amazing to hear.
Barrie.
--
Barrie Avis
D Wisham
Eric Willoughby wrote:
>
> I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the Balearic
> Islands.
>
> Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
> sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
> anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
> hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
> noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
>
> expensive). To keep my online costs down I would appreciate any
> response being copied to my email address.
> --
> Eric Willoughby
> s.v. Blue Snapper
> Email: e...@propix.prestel.co.uk
Barnacles on pilings and or the hull.
Bob Richardson
In article <323B0B...@worldnet.att.net>, f...@worldnet.att.net says...
>
>Eric Willoughby wrote:
>>
>> I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the Balearic
>> Islands.
>>
>> Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
>> sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
>> anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
>> hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
>> noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
>Barnacles on pilings and or the hull.
No! No! Not barnacles. You described the sound very well...something like
bacon frying in the pan. The sound is made by little shrimp.
This month I heard them in all marinas and anchorages south of Santa Barbara,
California. Seven year's ago, (when I last sailed Seattle to San Diego) I
heard them Montery and south. I wonder if there has been a change in the
oceans that much in seven years, or if it's because I was a month earlier
this time.
The aquarium in Monerty has an exhibit with headphones so you can hear the
shrimp.
Robert Hafer
James H. Maynard wrote:
>
> In article 323a195...@news.prestel.co.uk,
> e...@propix.prestel.co.uk (Eric Willoughby) said:
> >
> >Balearic
> >Islands.
> >
> >Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
> >sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
> >anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
> >hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
> >noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice
> >breaking.
> >
> >expensive). To keep my online costs down I would appreciate any
> >response being copied to my email address.
> >--
> >Eric Willoughby
> >s.v. Blue Snapper
> >Email: e...@propix.prestel.co.uk
> >
> >
>
> read that shrimp make noises like that.
>
> (Which reminds me of some humour. Two examples of
> contradictions in terms are "army intelligence" and
> "jumbo shrimp.")
> Jim Maynard, K7KK -- Salem, Oregon, USA
> jmay...@teleport.com (Home), iim...@iim.ups.com (Work)
> "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout...."
The noise is made by a type of small shrimp that is eating the growth off
the bottom of the boat. At least thats what I keep telling myself...more
probable though would be a sea creature about 200 feet long weighing 150
tons and likes to eat through the bottom of boats to get to the occupants
inside....(sleep well tonight.....) Rob
Baker Mitchell
Eric Willoughby wrote:
> The best description I can give of the
> noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
>
Eric, I used to puzzle over this myself when sleeping in the
quarterberth of my Island Packet 38 in marinas. I believe the source of
this noise is small marine creatures--like brine shrimp, perhaps--
having a somewhat boisterous midnight snack off of the algae growing on
Bonny's hull.
One supporting bit of evidence is that I cannot remember having ever
heard the noise after a bottom job.
It may be the Loch Ness monster getting ready to bite off my keel, but
I'm happy with my explanation.
Regards, Baker Mitchell, blissfully snoozing on Bonaventura.
Alexander D. McLeod
> The noise is made by a type of though would be a sea creature about 200 feet long weighing 150
> tons and likes to eat through the bottom of boats to get to the occupants
is only small shrimp, a 200 foot sea creature, or SOMETHING WORSE. (:-)
Sandy
TAI-PAN
Knocka
On Sep 14, 1996 12:19:37 in article <Re: Unknown Noises at Anchor>, 'Robert
Hafer <rha...@ix.netcom.com>' wrote:
>James H. Maynard wrote:
>>
>> In article 323a195...@news.prestel.co.uk,
>> e...@propix.prestel.co.uk (Eric Willoughby) said:
>> >
>> >I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the
>> >Balearic
>> >Islands.
>> >
>> >Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
>> >sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
>> >anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
>> >breaking.
>> >
>> >expensive). To keep my online costs down I would appreciate any
>> >response being copied to my email address.
>> >--
>> >Eric Willoughby
>> >s.v. Blue Snapper
>> >Email: e...@propix.prestel.co.uk
>> >
>> >
>>
>> It could be shrimp. I haven't heard that noise myself, but have
>> read that shrimp make noises like that.
>>
>> (Which reminds me of some humour. Two examples of
>> contradictions in terms are "army intelligence" and
>> "jumbo shrimp.")
>> Jim Maynard, K7KK -- Salem, Oregon, USA
>> jmay...@teleport.com (Home), iim...@iim.ups.com (Work)
>> "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout...."
>> (COLREGS Rule 5)James,
>
>The noise is made by a type of small shrimp that is eating the growth off
>the bottom of the boat. At least thats what I keep telling myself...more
>probable though would be a sea creature about 200 feet long weighing 150
>tons and likes to eat through the bottom of boats to get to the occupants
>inside....(sleep well tonight.....) Rob
Then again it could be "Fiberglass mites" that bore thru the gel coat and
live off the matt under neith - they are really noisy and msny believe
they are the root cause of most blisters. The 1995 survey of these mites
did show an unusual concentration in the Balearic Islands and in the Harbor
at Trinidad.. John
escape
Actually it's got nothing to do with crustacea.
It's the sound Osmosis makes!
Jez.
Just in case Rob's monster doesn't keep you awake.
John Wade
e...@propix.prestel.co.uk (Eric Willoughby) wrote:
>I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the Balearic
>Islands.
>Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
>sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
>anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
>hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
>noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
>I am accessing the Internet via my GSM mobile phone :-( very
>expensive). To keep my online costs down I would appreciate any
>response being copied to my email address.
>--
>Eric Willoughby
>s.v. Blue Snapper
>Email: e...@propix.prestel.co.uk
If you have ever been diving you would recognize this sound. It is
very noticeable in or around reefs if and when you stop and listen,
day or night.
A number of small crustaceans make this noise when they feed, as do
some parot fish when they chew on bottom rocks removing their food.
John Wade
"Be good, and you will be lonesome." Mark Twain
"Be lonesome, and you will be free." Jimmy Buffett
Shy....@edenbbs.com
In article <323a195...@news.prestel.co.uk>,
e...@propix.prestel.co.uk (Eric Willoughby) wrote:
> Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of
> noise which sometimes can be heard from inside the
> boat when in a marina or at anchor on a calm day.
> The noise appears to come from outside the hull, below
> the waterline. The best description I can give of the
> noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire,
> or ice breaking.
Many years ago I asked the tour guide at the Orange County
Oceanographic Institute: if I recall correctly, she said
it is probably _Mytilidae_, usually _Mytilus_edulis._ Er,
that is, marine bivalve mollusks.
The sound reminds me of cockroaches rummaging around in
a bread box.
--
Rev David Michael Rice
Mariner's Ministries, Dana Point California
Woody Schlom
e...@propix.prestel.co.uk (Eric Willoughby) wrote:
>I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the Balearic
>Islands.
>
>sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
>anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
>hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
>noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
Don't know what it is, but I sure recognize the sound you describe. I've
heard it on my boat since putting it in the water in 1977! I mainly
notice it in marinas and/or very calm bays. I don't notice it in open
water, but maybe that's because the rest of the sea is making so much
noise.
If it's creatures eating their way through your hull, rest assured, it
must take them a VERY long time! They haven't made a dent in mine yet.
Woody Schlom
Ron Lamb
kno...@usa.pipeline.com(Knocka) wrote:
>On Sep 14, 1996 12:19:37 in article <Re: Unknown Noises at Anchor>, 'Robert
>Hafer <rha...@ix.netcom.com>' wrote:
>
>
>>James H. Maynard wrote:
>>>
>>> In article 323a195...@news.prestel.co.uk,
>>> e...@propix.prestel.co.uk (Eric Willoughby) said:
>>> >
>>> >I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the
>>> >Balearic
>>> >Islands.
>>> >
>>> >Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
>>> >sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
>>> >anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
>>> >hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
>>> >noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice
>>> >breaking.
>>> >
>>> >I am accessing the Internet via my GSM mobile phone :-( very
>>> >expensive). To keep my online costs down I would appreciate any
>>> >response being copied to my email address.
>>> >--
>>> >Eric Willoughby
>>> >s.v. Blue Snapper
>>> >Email: e...@propix.prestel.co.uk
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>> It could be shrimp. I haven't heard that noise myself, but have
>>> read that shrimp make noises like that.
>>>
>>> (Which reminds me of some humour. Two examples of
>>> contradictions in terms are "army intelligence" and
>>> "jumbo shrimp.")
>>> Jim Maynard, K7KK -- Salem, Oregon, USA
>>> jmay...@teleport.com (Home), iim...@iim.ups.com (Work)
>>> "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout...."
>>> (COLREGS Rule 5)James,
>>
>>The noise is made by a type of small shrimp that is eating the growth off
>>the bottom of the boat. At least thats what I keep telling myself...more
>>probable though would be a sea creature about 200 feet long weighing 150
>>tons and likes to eat through the bottom of boats to get to the occupants
>>inside....(sleep well tonight.....) Rob
>
>Then again it could be "Fiberglass mites" that bore thru the gel coat and
>live off the matt under neith - they are really noisy and msny believe
>they are the root cause of most blisters. The 1995 survey of these mites
>did show an unusual concentration in the Balearic Islands and in the Harbor
>at Trinidad.. John
Could be Polyestermites--- A mutation of the common termite brought on
by oil spills.
R. lamb
Brian Smith
Bob Richardson (bo...@aa.net) wrote:
: The aquarium in Monerty has an exhibit with headphones so you can hear the
: shrimp.
Visit the Star of India in San Diego and go down into the lowest
part of the ship. You will hear the shrimp making the cracking sound
and you can read all about it on at least one notice stuck on a wall (nautical
term?) somewhere there.
Nice place to visit.
B.S!
Adrian Vrouwenvelder
I hear that noise while snorkeling, too.
I used to hear it off some jetties where I used
to snorkel all the time. I never once saw a single
shrimp, although that's what folks say it is. The
snapping seems to be loudest close to rocks, and my
guess is it's either barnacles or other shellfish
attached to the rocks, or fish that live in the
nooks and crannies of the rocks. I personally find
it a most pleasant noise.
--
Adrian P. Vrouwenvelder
(919) 543-1834
Internet: adr...@ralvm5.vnet.ibm.com
"Pookums" Catalina 22 #12435
--------------------------------------
These are my opinions; no one else's. No one should be
held liable for these comments or what they might engender.
If I thought I or anyone else was going to be held liable, I wouldn't
even have posted this.
Jim Engle
We have the problem here in the Chesaepeake Bay. It is caused by a small
shrimp which snaps its claws.(I think as a mating call) The type of hull
and shape can amplify the sound but if you jump in the water you can hear
the sound underwater.In the Bay the sound goes away in the winter when the
water gets cold.
Eric Willoughby <e...@propix.prestel.co.uk> wrote in article
<323a195...@news.prestel.co.uk>...
Jaffar Bentchikou
Eric Willoughby wrote:
>
> I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the Balearic
> Islands.
>
> Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
> sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
> anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
> hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
> noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice breaking.
>
> I am accessing the Internet via my GSM mobile phone :-( very
> expensive). To keep my online costs down I would appreciate any
> response being copied to my email address.
> --
> Eric Willoughby
> s.v. Blue Snapper
> Email: e...@propix.prestel.co.uk
Eric:
I know exactly what you are talking about as I have sailed extensively
the Mediterraneean (Algeria, Greece and Turkey). The noise that
resonates in your hull comes from a school of small fishes. Try
snorkeling around your boat when you hear the sound and you may see them,
about 2" long, blue body and short, very open, forked, black tails. I
forgot the name but will look it up and let you know.
--
Jaffar
(JBent...@WorldBank.org)
Knocka
On Sep 17, 1996 00:46:07 in article <Re: Unknown Noises at Anchor>, 'Ramon
Gandia <r...@nome.net>' wrote:
>Knocka wrote:
>
>> Then again it could be "Fiberglass mites" that bore thru the gel coat
and
>> live off the matt under neith
>
>magazine (or was it yachting) around 1980?
>Ramon, AL7X
>Nome, Alaska
>s/v Seven Stars
A 1987 study by NIH discovered the Polyestermite had in fact mutated in
two a couple of new aradhnids of the order of Acarina
that infest stored food products, fiberglass matts and roving, and in one
species transmit loud munching type noises when under water..... who would
have thought.... John.
Ramon Gandia
Jaffar Bentchikou
I have now looked it up in my field guides. The latin name of the fish is
Chromis Chromis. The French name is "castagnole", because the noise is
similar to the one a castanet makes.
--
Jaffar
(JBent...@WorldBank.org)
Rodney Myrvaagnes
I heard the noise in an old wooden ferry open to tourists in San Diego. The
tourguide said the noise was made by brineshrimp. These are near-microscopic
and transparent, so you might not see them.
In message <51k7na$15...@rtpnews.raleigh.ibm.com> -
adr...@aa1rtp20.raleigh.ibm.com (Adrian Vrouwenvelder) writes:
:>
:>
:>I hear that noise while snorkeling, too.
:>
Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a
20 years without a car, TV, or home page
Anne S. Paul
Eric and James:
I have heard the sound, and have been told it is crustacians (sp?)
nibbling away at the "stuff" on the bottom of the boat. Heard it for the
first time at the police dock in San Diego, on our way south.
A very nifty sound, and *is* a lot like the crackling of a wood fire!
Of course, I am told I am easily thrilled, as I also like the look of the
phosphoresence flashing in the dark when pumping the head late at night.
Oh, to be in salt water once again...
ANNE, once of "Allegro," now on "Sun Star"
On 14 Sep 1996, James H. Maynard wrote:
> In article 323a195...@news.prestel.co.uk,
> e...@propix.prestel.co.uk (Eric Willoughby) said:
> >
> >I am currently on board by boat based in Menorca, one of the
> >Balearic
> >Islands.
> >
> >Can anyone explain the strange "crackling" type of noise which
> >sometimes can be heard from inside the boat when in a marina or at
> >anchor on a calm day. The noise appears to come from outside the
> >hull, below the waterline. The best description I can give of the
> >noise is that it sounds like logs spitting on a fire, or ice
> >breaking.
> >
> >I am accessing the Internet via my GSM mobile phone :-( very
> >expensive). To keep my online costs down I would appreciate any
> >response being copied to my email address.
> >--
> >Eric Willoughby
> >s.v. Blue Snapper
> >Email: e...@propix.prestel.co.uk
> >
> >
>
> It could be shrimp. I haven't heard that noise myself, but have
> read that shrimp make noises like that.
>
> (Which reminds me of some humour. Two examples of
> contradictions in terms are "army intelligence" and
> "jumbo shrimp.")
> Jim Maynard, K7KK -- Salem, Oregon, USA
> jmay...@teleport.com (Home), iim...@iim.ups.com (Work)
> "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout...."
> (COLREGS Rule 5)
>
>
>
>
ast...@teleport.COM Public Access User --- Not affiliated with Teleport
Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 220-1016 (2400-28800, N81)
Paul Zankel
Rumor has it that a team of deviant genetic engineers who are also
sailors are working on a polyestermite that only eats powerboats! ;-)
Happy Sailing,
Paul
Donald E. Chambers
igsysinc.com> <1996Sep12.1...@lafn.org> <51kqj4$r...@ns1.net-gate.com>
Distribution:
Well, why not weigh in on this one .... Yes, indeed, we heard the
crackling noise like something eating on the hull when were sailing in
Biscayne Bay and down the Keys. Heard it often, both at anchor and tied up
at slips in the Miami Beach City Marina and at Marathon.
We sort of miss it, that pleasant sound has disappeared now that we're
further north into the Great Lakes. I don't think we heard it north of
Georgia, actually.
Don Chambers
bar...@actionsys.com
In article <51nc8e$6...@news1.t1.usa.pipeline.com>,
kno...@usa.pipeline.com(Knocka) wrote:
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>From: kno...@usa.pipeline.com(Knocka)
>Newsgroups: rec.boats.cruising
>Subject: Re: Unknown Noises at Anchor
>Date: 17 Sep 1996 23:29:18 GMT
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>
>On Sep 17, 1996 00:46:07 in article <Re: Unknown Noises at Anchor>, 'Ramon
>Gandia <r...@nome.net>' wrote:
>
>
> A 1987 study by NIH discovered the Polyestermite had in fact mutated in
>two a couple of new aradhnids of the order of Acarina
>that infest stored food products, fiberglass matts and roving, and in one
>species transmit loud munching type noises when under water..... who would
>have thought.... John.
>
>
You guys are bad!
I'm not sure if I should fall over laughing, or fall over in a pool of
tears...!!???
please tell me there is no such animal!
Scott W. Manzi
'73 Pearson 26
#568
"Temporary Sanity"
Knocka
On Sep 23, 1996 21:29:02 in article <Re: Unknown Noises at Anchor>,
I gave Scott the answer by E-mail a few days ago... John (7days)
Magnus Sterky
I heared those dreaded polyestermites too.....
Turning the echo-sounder off killed all of them! Probably it sounds like
their mating snatching of their teeth, causing them to find my yacht!
--
Magnus Sterky
ste...@algonet.se
Jere Lull
Just picked up "The Intracoastal Waterway" Jan & Bill Moeller and found
a reference to this crackling on pg 56:
"At night, when it is still, you may hear a strange crackling sound that
seems to be coming from your hull, underwater. It's nothing to worry
about. Tiny shrimplike creatures called "krill" are feeding on the
growth on your hull. Depending on the location and season, the noise can
be disturbingly loud, and it often goes on all night. You may not
experience this until you are farther south, but when you do, remember
it is the krill feeding, not your boat coming apart."
At least it's not the stuff of the "Nautical Legend": those
polyestermites...
Rest easy. Think of them as aquatic crickets and let them lull you to
sleep. (I couldn't resist. ;)
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux
'73 Tanzer 28 #4
out of Georgetown, MD
Vvmfuno
the noises are hands of the horny mermaids. When you hear them you must
jump bare assed naked into the water and yell TAKE ME! TAKE HOME! You'll
be shocked at how quick they skat when confronted by a bold beef eating
man!