Latest news with #EstherBower
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida shrimpers say they are catching space junk in their nets, and it could get worse
The Brief Florida shrimpers claim they're catching rocket debris in their nets more often. Space experts say space companies do use the ocean to discard space debris, but they can't fully verify what they're catching is from rockets. Some experts are worried people will see more space debris when Starship starts to launch in Florida. BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Florida shrimpers say their nets are pulling up space debris more often. Experts say it's possible, and the problem could get worse. What we know Florida shrimpers on the Space Coast shared some recent photos from a shrimping trip with FOX 35 News. A local captain who's been on the water for decades thinks what his crew is catching could be coming from rockets. He says his team has been catching more over the last few years as launches increase. The captain says it's frustrating, because it costs crews time and money when their nets pick up trash. Estimates of loss are around $4,000-$5,000. Space sources saw the photos and say it's possible it could be from rockets, but could also be cargo or cruise debris. Without proper testing and verification, they can't say for sure. Experts say the ocean is a dumping ground for space waste still, and they're worried the issue could get worse when Starship launches from Florida. What we don't know Without proper testing and verification, no one FOX 35's Esther Bower spoke with can be fully sure what the shrimpers are catching is from space companies. Also, it's hard to regulate the ocean, so there's not much that can be done to get backpay for the damages. That would be challenging for anyone to prove. What they're saying "I think they should do something to help us, because not only are we tearing up the nets, we (are) losing time, and it's smashing up the shrimp so we have to throw them away," said shrimp captain Woody Moore. "In those early days, lots of rocket parts landed in the ocean, so it's more likely that it's something that happened a while ago," said Don Platt, who's an Associate Professor of Space Systems at Florida Tech. "When starship launches from here, there could be a lot of debris, so that's something they should be mindful of," said Ken Kremer, who's a space journalist for "Space UpClose." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information collected by FOX 35 News Reporter Esther Bower, who spoke with local shrimpers after sending photos of the debris in their nets. She also reached out to several space experts trying to confirm what the debris is. She interviewed two via zoom and shared the photos with them on May 30. She also emailed with a marine law lawyer who's tracking the increase in launches and how it could be affecting the oceans.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Carnival cruise ship 'Paradise' saves people drifting at sea in small raft
The Brief Five people were rescued from the ocean after a Carnival cruise ship spotted a boat in distress off the coast of Cuba. 10 others stayed behind on the raft and didn't get on the cruise ship. The U.S. Coast Guard is organizing a transfer for the five people who came on the ship. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Carnival cruise ship rescued five people drifting in a makeshift raft off the coast of Cuba on Wednesday, officials said. What we know The Tampa-based Carnival cruise ship Paradise saved five men who were drifting in a small makeshift raft. Passengers recorded the rescue on their cellphones. The rescue happened off the coast of Cuba on Wednesday. The ship provided food, water and fuel to the men on the boat. The cruise line's medical staff also evaluate the people. The cruise ship continued its course on to Jamaica. What we don't know It remains unclear where the group originated or their intended destination. It's also unclear when the people will be transported back and where exactly they will go next. What they're saying Carnival sent FOX 35 News a statement on the save. "The Carnival Paradise team rescued five people south of Cabo San Antonio, Cuba on Wednesday after the ship's officers spotted a small boat in distress. The five people who requested rescue were part of a larger group on board the small boat. The other occupants did not wish to join the ship but were given food and water by the ship's team. The United States Coast Guard was notified, and a transfer will be coordinated." After completing the rescue, Carnival Paradise continued to its scheduled destination, Montego Bay, Jamaica. "We just have to pray they make it safely wherever they are going. I'm glad that they were spotted," said cruiser Debra Bundrum. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source FOX 35's Reporter Esther Bower spoke with several passengers on social media who took pictures and video of the save. Passengers shared the images with her, and she interviewed a cruiser online while they were docked in Jamaica. She emailed Carnival which released a statement.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Complete hazard': Frustrations growing over inactive traffic signal in Palm Bay
The Brief Neighbors are fed up with a traffic light that hasn't been turned on for nearly a year in Palm Bay. They are worried about traffic and pedestrian safety. Don Walker with the county said the developer has not finished the work. BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Neighbors are fed up with a traffic light that hasn't been turned on for nearly a year in Palm Bay. More homes are constantly being built in the area just off St. John's Heritage Parkway so there's a lot more traffic. Now, people are worried about public safety since the light is just sitting there. The light causing concern is at the Babcock and Mara Loma intersection in southeast Palm Bay. Local perspective "Oh my god, I have to take a Xanax just to get out to the traffic," exclaimed Kristi McKinney who lives near the signal. She says stress is at an all-time high for people in the Waterstone subdivision because the traffic light's been covered in trash bags for way too long. "I'd say at least maybe six months to a year. It hasn't progressed. Nothing's changed," she said. Mckinney isn't the only one who's concerned. "This traffic light has just been here nonoperational, it never worked, it was never turned on. It's just been a complete hazard," said Bruce Sokolovic. FOX 35's Esther Bower asked these homeowners how they felt that the nearby Publix was erected quicker than activating the light. "Do you really want to know how I feel?," said McKinney. "That should have been taken care of. The light should have been taken care of before any extra traffic come through the area." The new grocery store is making the street traffic busier, and residents say they can't even walk to the store because there's no sidewalk. Since the traffic light isn't working, they don't feel safe crossing the street. "Can somebody from my local representation here look into this and get some movement?" asked Sokolovic. Fox 35 found out even though the light is technically in Palm Bay, the permitting is going through Brevard County, and there's an issue with the government and the developers. Don Walker with the county said in a statement:"The developer has not finished the work and they are proposing changes that can't be permitted. That's the snag." That snag is now a setback for safety and still no clear timeline for when the light will turn on. "This light is important. It's important for pedestrian safety. It's important for traffic safety. It's important for the entire community," concluded Sokolovic. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source The information in this article comes from reporting done by FOX 35's Esther Bower.
