You would have thought that this would have happened along time ago but yesterday New York State officials announced today that they are calling for New York's portion of Long Island Sound to be designated as a marine vessel "No Discharge Zone" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
A "No Discharge Zone" (NDZ) designation means that boaters can't dump their sewage into these waters. Instead, boaters would dispose of their sewage at designated pump-out stations. Sewage from boats sometimes contains harmful levels of formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine, which are a risk to human health, and hurt marine life and habitats.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), along with the state Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC) and the Department of State (DOS), has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting the designation to protect Long Island Sound. The petition calls for a one-year phase-in for commercial vessels to comply with the No Discharge Zone to allow time for pumpout stations serving such boats to be built.
"With this request, we are taking an important step to protect and improve the quality of Long Island Sound's waters," DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said. "In addition to making the water cleaner, this move will help in the on-going efforts to restore the Sound's aquatic habitat and make recreational opportunities in the Sound more enjoyable. This action will provide benefits for generations to come."
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) President and C.E.O. Matthew J. Driscoll said: "Designating the Long Island Sound an NDZ will be a watershed moment for environmental protection in New York. For decades, the Sound's waters have had to cope with boat-related pollution. In requesting the NDZ designation, we recognize its invaluable recreational and commercial benefits, estimated at roughly $8 billion per year. At the same time, we are pleased to work closely with our state partners and coastal communities to provide boaters the services needed to restore and protect this remarkable waterbody."
Since 1976, New York State has established 12 other No Discharge Zones, including five on Long Island Sound: Mamaroneck Harbor (1997), the Greater Huntington-Northport Bay Complex (2000), the Port Jefferson Harbor Complex (2001), the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor Complex (2008), and Hempstead Harbor (2008). In May, DEC announced that it had set 2012 as a goal to establish No Discharge Zones for all water bodies in New York State.
In 2006, Connecticut declared all of their Long Island Sound waters as a No Discharge Zone. While New York State had been focusing on establishing No Discharge Zones for individual bays in the Sound, a more recent evaluation shows there are enough pumpout facilities to establish a No Discharge Zone for the entire Sound.
"New York State is blessed with some of the most incredible water resources in the nation which we treasure as both environmental and economic assets," Commissioner Grannis added. "Every step we take to protect and improve these resources is important for to ensure a step forward in creating healthy, vibrant, successful communities."
An chance for the public to comment will be announced in the Federal Register. After that the EPA will decide as to whether there are enough vessel pumpouts to support the No Discharge Zone. If EPA agrees, the No Discharge Zone would be enforced by DEC law enforcement, State Police and local authorities.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Guide to Marine Trade Schools
BoatUS Adds Online Guide to Marine Trade Schools
Schools for Preparing Future Boatbuilders, Repairers, Marine Technicians
ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 29, 2010 – For anyone who has thought about a career in the marine trades — as a boatbuilder, designer or marine technician — there’s a world of top-notch one- and two-year technical programs available. To help examine the possibilities of a career working in and around recreational boats, BoatUS has added a new list of marine trade schools, community colleges and accredited certification programs to the Guide to Marine Education Programs at www.BoatUS.com/colleges.
The new addition of one- and two-year technical programs to BoatUS’ previously-released Guide to Marine Education offering (four-year) college and university marine programs makes learning about educational opportunities easier by having all of the information in one place.
Whether you’re just out of high school or looking to start a new boating-related career, you can search the Guide by state or specific focus area, such as marine science, boat design, engine repair, fisheries, oceanography, marine engineering or biology. Only US-accredited post-secondary schools are included. Scholarship information is also offered.
An additional resource is the feature “The Boat Lovers’ Guide to Marine Trade Schools,” that premieres in the October/November issue of BoatUS Magazine can be found online at
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Five Tips to Keep Winter Away From Your Boat Trailer
If your boat trailer is going to spend the off-season outside exposed to the elements, Boat Owners Association of The United States has five tips to protect your investment and eliminate problems down the road:
Like an auto club for boaters and anglers, BoatUS offers a Trailering Club that includes “Trailer Assist” roadside assistance services for both disabled tow vehicles and boat trailers. Trailer Assist service is $14 annually, plus association membership of $24. For more information on the BoatUS Trailering Club and all of the services provided, visit www.BoatUS.com/trailerclub
A little spray will do you: Spraying lubricants such as WD-40 on metal trailer roller assemblies, winch gears and electrical connections will keep moisture away and rust at bay. It’s also best to take care of any rust spots now on the (galvanized) metal trailer frame: sand, prime and paint. (Trust us, this will be the last thing on your mind come springtime.)
Don’t park under trees: Some boaters think their boat will be protected by storing it under trees but the opposite is true – ice, snow, and howling winter storms can snap off tree limbs which come crashing down. Falling leaves and needles can also stain boat covers and gelcoat, or make their way inside where they can block transom drain holes.
Turn it around in the driveway: If you’re going to leave the boat on the trailer in your driveway for the winter, face the hitch away from the street if possible, and put a lock on the trailer hitch. The name of the game in avoiding boat theft is to make your rig as difficult as possible to steal.
Take care of the tires: In addition to being a theft deterrent, removing the tires and storing them in the garage or shed will keep the sun from damaging them. With the tires off, this may also a good time to repack the bearings (Another thing you won’t want to do in the spring). Block the frame and secure plastic (contractor grade) trash bags over the hubs and brakes to keep them dry. If tires won’t be removed, position the trailer so that the tires rest on a piece of plywood or plank to prevent dry rot, and cover them (again with plastic bags) to keep the sun off and hubs and brakes dry. To avoid flat spots from happening, move the trailer periodically a few inches throughout the winter.
Help water drain: Keeping the boat and trailer rig in a slightly nose-high (bow up) position will allow water to drain out the transom drain hole. This can be easily done by placing a small block under the trailer jack. (Don’t forget to remove drain plug and tie it to the ignition key where you will find it in the spring). Also ensure that the boat’s cover is tight and periodically check inside throughout the winter – critters love to hide aboard boats and find them appetizing.
Lack of Concern among Boaters about Accuracy of Navigational Tools
Survey Reveals Significant Lack of Concern among Boaters about
Accuracy of Navigational Tools
Only One-third of Respondents Regularly Update Navigational Data
Accuracy of Navigational Tools
Only One-third of Respondents Regularly Update Navigational Data
Intended to measure the use and awareness of available updates to navigational tools, the survey revealed a general lack of concern among recreational boaters regarding the accuracy of their navigational data. While most boaters use aids such as GPS, electronic charts and paper charts, 79 percent fail to track the updates—issued weekly by the United States Coast Guard—that are necessary to maintain the accuracy of their
navigational aids. These updates, called Local Notice to Mariners, contain critical information about changes such as shifting shoals, moving buoys and newly submerged obstructions, and they can be easily accessed by boaters.
“Unfortunately, these survey results indicate that boaters simply are not aware of how often conditions change and how those changes can affect their safety,” explains President Ron Walz of OceanGrafix, a founding member of the alliance. “The truth is that waters do change—and inaccurate chart information can turn a safe and enjoyable cruise into a dangerous situation.”
“Boaters cannot assume that their data is current: changes on and under the water happen, and they are significant and frequent,” says David Enabnit, technical director at NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. The Alliance for Safe Navigation strongly suggests that updated navigational tools are the best approach to safe navigation.
Unlike commercial mariners, who are required by law to carry up-to-date charts, recreational boaters are not held to the same regulation. In fact, recreational boaters aren’t required to have any charts onboard.
To see the latest USCG Notice to Mariners for your location, visit Notice to Mariners. For more information or to find out how many changes have been made to your charts, go to www.allianceforsafenavigation.org.
About the Alliance for Safe Navigation
The Alliance for Safe Navigation (www.allianceforsafenavigation.org) consists of industry leaders that all share a commitment to boating safety. The goal of the alliance is to raisethe boating community’s understanding of and appreciation for up-to-date navigational information. The alliance encourages mariners to recognize the high number of changes made to their charts and to keep their electronic and paper charts accurate, which is inexpensive and easy. Sponsored by NOAA, the alliance is made up of BoatU.S., Jeppesen, OceanGrafix, the Sea Tow Foundation for Boating Safety and Education, and the United States Power Squadrons.
New Alliance to Promote Navigation Safety
NOAA Sponsors New Alliance to Promote Navigation Safety
Public-Private Partnership to Educate Recreational Boaters
NOAA reminds all recreational boaters that regularly updated navigational charts are available online.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary)
As summer nears and some 12.5 million registered boaters hit the water, NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey is launching an effort to remind people about the importance of using up-to-date nautical charts. NOAA is a co-sponsor of the newly formed Alliance for Safe Navigation, a public-private partnership that raises awareness of safe boating practices and offers an instructional Web site to get people started.
“Recreational boaters, unlike commercial mariners, are not required to carry nautical charts,” explains Captain John Lowell, director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. “We are sponsoring this new nationwide educational effort because we want people to understand that NOAA’s nautical charts are easy to find and easy to use. By using ‘Print on Demand’ paper charts or multi-functional electronic charts that are updated by NOAA cartographers, people have a better chance of avoiding potential groundings and other accidents.”
Some of the nation’s 12.5 million recreational boaters enjoying a day on the Columbia River.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)
Charts can become outdated quickly because storms may alter seafloors, with shoals building up and water depths changing. NOAA conducts hydrographic surveys along U.S. coasts, measuring ocean depths and recording seafloor shifts. The agency uses the survey information to continually update nautical charts.
Joining NOAA in the Alliance for Safe Navigation are the Boat Owners Association of the United States (Boat U.S.), Jeppesen Marine, the United States Power Squadrons (USPS), OceanGrafix and the Sea Tow Foundation for Boating Safety and Education. The Alliance for Safe Navigation will encourage boaters to be aware of the significant and frequent changes that are occurring in their boating area.
Recreational boaters can now obtain continuously updated nautical charts at www.allianceforsafenavigation.org, a site developed by NOAA and the Alliance for Safe Navigation.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)
As the nation’s official nautical chartmaker, NOAA maintains a suite of 2,000 navigation products that support safe recreational boating and marine transportation along coastal waterways and in the Great Lakes. NOAA and other alliance members provide many tools that give mariners the latest information, distributing a range of products such as print-on-demand paper charts and digital updates for electronic charts.
“The alliance members identified a widespread lack of awareness among boaters regarding the accuracy of their charts, whether electronic or paper,” explains David DeGree, president of OceanGrafix. “The truth is that inaccurate chart information can turn a safe and enjoyable cruise into a dangerous situation.”
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Unexploded Munitions
What do you do when you come across unexploded munitions while boating or fishing?
Fortunately,there is help in the form a brochure that NOAA has made available on their website in a pdf so you can just download it and not have to wait for it to arrive in the mail.
The main thing to remember are the "3R's"
Recognize
Retreat
Report.
Read the complete brochure here: Explosives Safety Guide
More information can be found on one of the Department of Defense pages: UXO Safety
Fortunately,there is help in the form a brochure that NOAA has made available on their website in a pdf so you can just download it and not have to wait for it to arrive in the mail.
The main thing to remember are the "3R's"
Recognize
Retreat
Report.
Read the complete brochure here: Explosives Safety Guide
More information can be found on one of the Department of Defense pages: UXO Safety
U.S. Aids to Navigation System
Boaters should be familiar with the buoys and markers that act as the "yellow lines" on the water. In addition to marking channels, these buoys also mark hazards and safe water.
More information on boat safety can be found on the Take Me Fishing website.
Check out this Youtube video for a brief refresher.
More information on boat safety can be found on the Take Me Fishing website.
Check out this Youtube video for a brief refresher.
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