LightSquared Files for Bankruptcy

Thanks to Boaters Who Spoke Up: "Save My GPS"

 Nearly a year ago, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) began asking recreational boaters, anglers and the marine industry to speak out about the potential loss of reliable GPS - the country's sole electronic navigation system. A private venture, LightSquared, backed by billions of dollars in funding, had plans to build a nationwide 4G broadband cellular telephone network but unfortunately, tests had shown this plan would interfere with GPS signals creating grave safety concerns. The company recently announced that it has filed for bankruptcy after the build-out of the network was halted by the FCC.

"Boaters can appreciate having GPS first hand," said BoatUS President Margaret Podlich. "They know it will get them safely home, help them find the best fishing, meet friends for an afternoon raft-up, and greatly speed their rescue if the day goes bad. We thank the 18,000 boaters and other GPS users who wrote the FCC asking the guardian of the nation's airwaves to ensure the future integrity of the GPS signal, and the FCC for listening and acting on our concerns."

Even with the company's May 14 Chapter 11 filing, LightSquared continues to be a challenging adversary, stating, "The voluntary Chapter 11 filing is intended to give LightSquared sufficient breathing room to continue working through the regulatory process that will allow us to build our 4G wireless network." Under federal bankruptcy law, LightSquared would maintain exclusive control for several months over the right to craft a path to emerge from Chapter 11. The company originally asked the FCC for permission to build 40,000 network ground stations across the country. Recent government reports concluded interference issues with the GPS system could not be overcome.

BoatUS is a member of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, which worked to resolve this threat to the GPS system. After losing their only other viable navigation system (LORAN) in 2010 after the Department of Homeland Security shut the system down, boaters now solely rely on GPS for electronic navigation. The US Coast Guard's emergency search and rescue system, Rescue 21, also now uses GPS to locate stricken vessels on over 41,746 miles of coastline, and mariners also rely on GPS-enabled communications with DSC VHF radios and emergency beacons to provide location information.

Boat Ramps are Like Security Checkpoints at Airports: Nobody Wants to Wait in That Line

Don't Be That Guy

Memorial Day is coming up. It's a time to slow down and remember every soldier that has made a sacrifice, suffered death or a life changing injury so that goobers like me could run around covering bass tournaments and filming fishing shows. Two simple words: "Thank You."

But look, I'm convinced that if I ever stop filming fishing shows, I could show up on any boat ramp in America on Memorial Day weekend and film a best-selling blooper tape of people struggling on boat ramps.

Look, do me a favor. Do us all a favor. Don't be "that guy." If you're reading this and you aren't absolutely confident that you'll be a thing of perfect efficiency when you get to the ramp this weekend - well, then - fix what needs fixing.

Is your cranking battery fresh, or has it been sitting stale as last year's Christmas cookies? And please tell me you're not going to ask your wife or brother-in-law, neither of whom have ever backed a boat down a ramp in their life, to "help you." 

If you just absolutely have to rely on an amateur for assistance, then I'd recommend going to an empty parking lot for practice until they are experts at backing-up a trailer before you even consider humiliating them and yourself on ?game day' this coming weekend.

See, here's the deal, boat ramps are like security checkpoints at airports. Nobody wants to wait in that line, so don't make it worse by being totally unprepared when you're up to bat.
Boat ramps are not maintenance garages. It's not a place to tune up your outboard, organize your fishing tackle or take inventory of your water skies and inflatables.

It's not a playground either, so rein in the zoo monkeys. I love taking my kids to the lake. It's an important part of our lives. But I don't let the little crumb snatchers run rampant on the launch ramp. It's dangerous, and it's irresponsible.

Think of boat ramps as a tollbooth. Get in. Get out. And getting out doesn't mean pulling up five-feet from the water's edge and stopping. Get way out of the way before you stop to re-adjust all your equipment for the ride home.

You guys that are reading this probably don't need a lecture. Most of you are proficient bass boat owners. But "the guy" that is "that guy" probably doesn't even realize that he is "that guy." So help him out, dudes. If you have one of those guys in your life - help him get prepared - Memorial Day is not the time to be a jackknife on the boat ramp.

And by all means, speaking of being prepared, no matter how proficient you are on the ramp - make sure you call BoatUS Angler to sign-up for a membership www.BoatUS.com/angler/. You just never know when you're gonna need assistance on the road to the lake, or once you're on the water. And certainly let's hope none of us have issues on the boat ramp this coming weekend.

The Life of a Middle-Aged Boat

And What to Do About It

 With people, middle age begins at around 40. With boats, it's about the 10-year mark. And for both, it signals a time when age begins to show. But that doesn't mean life is slowing down - only that more effort is needed to stay in shape. With decade-old boats, that means taking a hard look at things that haven't been checked out over the years. BoatUS has these nine "middle age" maintenance tips on boats: 

Bilge pumps: Like a Louisiana oil field roughneck, a ten-year old bilge pump has likely lead a tough life. Switches are often the first to go, so make sure yours works fine by pouring water in the bilge to activate the pump, making sure nothing interferes with the switch. Take a close look at wire connections as they often are near or in standing water at the bottom of the boat. 

Gas hose: When it was new, the fuel hose did a great job of delivering gas to the engine. Over time, however, gas can permeate the hose wall causing damage. Take a rag around the hose, wipe it down and then smell the rag. If you smell gas, replace hose immediately. If you do have to replace, always install new hose clamps, too. 

Steering and control cable: Like an arthritic knee, bend the cable in your hands and listen for "crunching," a telltale sign that all is not well. Swelling and rust are also bad signs and indicate it's time to replace. 

Caulked fittings: The boatyard rule of thumb is that after 10 years, the bedding compound owes you nothing. Begin a schedule to periodically remove and rebed fittings, doing a few each year so the job isn't overwhelming. This will keep the leaks out that could lead to more expensive repairs. 

Prop: Eventually all props get dinged, and you may not see the damage clearly with your eye. If it's never been to a shop, now is a good time to take it to a prop shop for reconditioning, and you'll also likely save some money on fuel with a tuned prop. 

Other drive gear: If you have an inboard, the cutlass bearing might be due for replacement, especially if there's more than just a smidgen of play in the drive shaft. It's also time to take a hard look at the stuffing box. If you've had to re-tighten the stuffing box nut often, it's time to replace the packing. 

Exhaust manifolds: If you boat in salt or brackish waters and you still have the original manifolds, thank your lucky stars they haven't failed yet. Now is the time to do some proactive maintenance to replace them. "Leaking manifolds can destroy an engine," said BoatUS Seaworthy Magazine Associate Editor Chuck Fort. 

Seacocks/Through Hulls: If it's been years since one has been fully opened and closed, it could be frozen, and that's useless. Make it a point to work seacocks a few times each season and while you're there, check the hose clamps. 

Standing rigging: When was the last time you had a close look at all of the fittings and mast attachments (even the ones up high)? Ten years is a long time for rigging on boats that are raced, but even those used for day sails can suffer from the cyclical loads that cause stress cracks, and saltwater can cause corrosion in swaged fittings not easily seen by the naked eye.

For more information on inspecting middle-aged boats from BoatUS' Seaworthy Magazine, the publication for BoatUS insureds, go to BoatUS.com/middleagedboats.
About BoatUS Seaworthy Magazine: 

Published four times a year by BoatUS Marine Insurance, Seaworthy's pages are filled with case studies that provide insight into how to avoid accidents, breakdowns, injuries and the "unexpected" circumstances that can jeopardize the safety of your boat and guests. Annual subscriptions are available for $10 at www.BoatUS.com/seaworthy. For a free online insurance quote, go to www.BoatUS.com/insurance or call 800-283-2883 .

Three Safety Tips to Safely Get You Through the Spring Fishing and Boating Season

In many parts of the country, people are asking when did winter end and spring begin? Anglers and boaters are taking advantage of the unusually warm weather, but some may be forgetting that cold waters still lurk beneath the keel. Here's three easy safety tips from BoatUS.com/foundation that will help you get safely through the spring fishing and boating season.

1. Don't allow the warm weather to let your guard down: The air temperatures may be downright balmy, but deceptively cold waters increase the risk of hypothermia even on a "T-shirt" day. Also remember there are fewer boats out on the water that could come to your aid. Bring extra layers or change of clothes and rain gear this time of year.
   
2. Plan on how to get back in the boat: If you accidentally went overboard, do you have a way to get back aboard? You may be surprised how hard this can be - especially if you are alone or haven't prepared for it. It could be as simple as having a rope with looped foot holds affixed to a cleat that can easily be grabbed from the water. The BoatUS Foundation also tested after-market boarding ladders for small jonboats, RIBs and larger center console boats. You can view these tests at youtube.com/user/BoatUSFoundation/videos?sort=dd& A hardcopy of the tests along with a ranking of the best ladders can also be found at BoatUS.com/foundation/boardingladders.
   
3. Refresh your memory: Take a boating safety course now from the comfort of your own home. The no-cost BoatUS Foundation Online Boating Safety course, which is designed so that you can stop and then continue at any time, includes videos that demonstrate important safety devices such as flares, shows the rules of the road, how to get help in an emergency, and the best way to fit a life jacket to a child so they will not slip out. Go to BoatUS.org/onlinecourse. It may also help you save money on boat insurance and meet your state's requirements for boating safety education.
   

Model year designations for Evinrude outboard engines eliminated

BRP will eliminate traditional model year designations for Evinrude outboard engines. Beginning in April 2012, model year designations will no longer be used. Instead, the date of manufacture will be referenced on the serial number label, located on each Evinrude outboard engine. Benefits to model year elimination include:

·         Quicker Product Updates – Consumers will not have to wait for a model year transition to receive the latest product developments from Evinrude

·         Simplicity – Instead of tracking two model years, one for the boat and one for the engine, Evinrude outboard owners will only have to reference the model year of their boat package

·         Improved Inventory Management – Authorized Evinrude dealers and OEM partners will be able to manage their inventory more effectively and ensure the most recent Evinrude outboard models are available to their customers

“BRP remains committed to the award-winning Evinrude E-TEC technology, and the model year elimination is consistent with current standards in the marine industry,” said Steve Laham, vice-president of Sales, Marketing and After-Sales, Evinrude. “By eliminating model year, consumers will be provided with product upgrades earlier without having to wait for the start of a new model year.  Overall, this change will be positive for our customers, dealers and OEM partners worldwide.”

The model year elimination will not affect the warranty of any Evinrude outboard engine, nor will it affect the resale or trade-in value of an outboard engine or boat package. In states that require a manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO) for titling purposes, Evinrude will supply the appropriate MSO information to its dealer network.

Consumer questions about model year elimination can be directed to Evinrude’s customer service center at 1-866-EVINRUDE or by contacting an authorized Evinrude dealer.

Video Tutorial on Understanding Deep Cycle Marine Batteries

TROJAN BATTERY LAUNCHES VIDEO TUTORIAL SERIES TO EXPAND UNDERSTANDING OF DEEP-CYCLE BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY

Trojan Battery Company, the world's leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries, today launched "Trojan Tips," its video tutorial series created to provide in-depth information focusing on a variety of battery topics such as deep-cycle battery technologies, maintenance practices, charging procedures and safety when handling batteries. "Trojan Tips" is designed to expand awareness of deep-cycle battery technology.

The first "Trojan Tips" video tutorial can be viewed at http://www.trojanbattery.com/.

A new "Trojan Tips" video tutorial will premiere each month throughout 2012 on the Trojan Battery corporate Web site. The first "Trojan Tips" video, which debuts today, reviews the various battery technologies available on the market today, and what to consider when selecting a battery for a particular application. The public, as well as Trojan distributors, dealers and customers can log onto the Trojan Web site to view the video tutorials and learn more about a variety of deep-cycle battery topics.

"One of the most important features of electrically powered equipment, and probably one of the most ignored, is the battery," said Vicki Hall, Trojan's director of quality and technical services, and host of the "Trojan Tips" educational series. "The battery is the heart of any piece of electric equipment that relies on batteries for power. When a battery fails in a golf car, scissor lift or floor cleaning machine for example, it can make or break a day on the course or impact profitability on the job site. Proper understanding of this technology and maintenance practices are key to getting the most out of a battery investment."

Trojan developed the "Trojan Tips" series to educate the public on a variety of important battery-related subjects that can positively impact the performance and longevity of deep-cycle batteries used to power electrical equipment. Topics such as selecting the right battery, maintenance techniques and appropriate charging and equalization guidelines are just a few of the issues that will be addressed during the video tutorial series.

About Trojan Battery Company
Trojan Battery Company is the world's leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries and a battery technology pioneer, having built the first golf car battery in 1952. Trojan batteries provide power for a wide variety of golf, industrial, renewable energy, recreational and auxiliary power applications. Founded in 1925, the company is ISO 9001:2008 certified with operations in California and Georgia, and maintains two of the largest and most extensive research and development centers in North America dedicated to engineering new and advanced battery technology. For more information on Trojan Battery Company, visit www.trojanbattery.com.

Can Today's Boaters Learn Anything from the Titanic?

As the world solemnly marks the April 15th centennial of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, boaters and mariners alike can appreciate the vast improvements in maritime safety that were a result of the tragic sinking. In 1914, two years after Titanic's loss of 1,503 lives, maritime nations gathered in London, adopted the International Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention) and put in place a series of measures learned directly from the tragedy. Do any of those lessons learned relate to today's recreational boater or angler? BoatUS set to find out. 

Slow down: The commission that investigated the sinking found that excessive speed combined with the prevalence of ice flows was a major factor in the disaster. Do you slow down when boating at night, in foggy weather or when in unfamiliar waters? Any time you're out on the water and something doesn't "feel right," slowing down is your best first move, giving you critical time to react. 

Call for help: The radio that the Titanic used to send out the SOS had a limited range of only 200 miles and the airwaves were "crackling," leading rescuers to misinterpret her position. Also, sadly, the vessel closest to her, the Californian, had shut down her radio for the night. Today's US Coast Guard Rescue 21 system now covers over 40,000 miles of US coastline and some major rivers, taking the "search" out of search and rescue 24/7 by providing accurate location information with the simple push of one button - but only if your boat has a DSC VHF radio and it is properly connected to your GPS/chartplotter. Unfortunately, today the USCG reports that most DSC VHF radios are not connected to a GPS/chartplotter. If you travel offshore or boat alone, an EPIRB or personal locator beacon can also speed your rescue. On larger bodies of water a cell phone should only be considered a back-up emergency communications device, and always have your VHF on and tuned to channel 16. 

Give a safety briefing to guests before you leave the dock: Regrettably, no lifeboat drills were held aboard the Titanic, the crew lacked training in their operation, and there was no public address system. Today, before they head out, recreational boaters and anglers can simply share with guests the location of the safety equipment and how to use gear such as the VHF radio, distress flares, fire extinguisher, or inflatable life jackets. 

Have a life jacket for everyone aboard - that fits. The Titanic did not have enough critical safety gear, such as lifeboats, for all her passengers. Do you have enough correctly-sized life jackets for everyone aboard and are they readily accessible? A child in an adult size life jacket could easily slip out simply by raising their hands above their head.

For more information on boating safety, go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation