I wonder how many Watts one can get out of beer-fueled squirrels?

"Energy" is not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of creatures drinking Guinness at a bar.

Depends on the squirrel...

Nice.

And this year's first Darwin Award goes to ...

Well, he definitely did hold his breath the longest.

Perhaps you know more about marine etiquette than I do and can enlighten me on something....

I read this yesterday.

"A British couple have been rescued from their 13-meter yacht in the Atlantic Ocean after they drifted for weeks with a broken rudder. ... Armstrong alerted the U.S. Coastguard of their problems, however, the Coastguard told the couple they were too far out to be rescued."

Emphasis added by me.

I don't know anything about maritime etiquette. But I find it very strange that the Coast Guard would receive an SOS but say, 'nope, sorry, you're too far away.' I understand that one could be too far away to be rescued by helicopter, but why wouldn't they attempt to rescue them by ship? If the disabled ship had a radio, and was in contact with the authorities, why wouldn't other ships have come to their aid sooner? I thought that it was sort of a maritime rule that ships would come to the aid of others if needed?

Anyone offer any insights?

Here is some info from the Canadian "Safe Boating Guide". It is intended for recreational boaters but I think this is rather universal;

The Canada Shipping Act
establishes a framework of rules and regulations and incorporates international conventions that shape the behaviour of mariners and boaters alike. One such provision calls for every pleasure craft operator to render assistance, insofar as the operator can do so without serious danger to their own craft or persons on board, to every person on the water who is in danger.

This is geared toward the recreational boater, I'm sure the Coast Guard is somewhat similar but are much better equipt and trained for more adverse/extreme circumstances.

If you insist on going out in wild, wild places I would think, to some extent, you are taking your life in your own hands.

Agreed, Fred. Does anyone remember the incident a couple of years ago where a chopper went down in the Northwest trying to help some skiers who were away in the back mountains? To see rescuers pay for other people's risks is very sad.