| NEWS from BoatUS Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304 BoatUS News Room at www.BoatUS.com |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com |
| Get Inside Tips on Hurricane Preparation: Marinas and Clubs Tell Their Success Stories in New BoatUS Publication |
ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 28, 2009 -- A new online publication for marina, boat yard and yacht club managers outlines proven techniques that could greatly reduce damage to their boating facilities whenever a hurricane strikes. The 24-page What Works, A Guide to Preparing Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Boats for Hurricanes shares success stories as well as failures of dozens of marinas and clubs that have experienced a hurricane over last two decades. The guide is published by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), a national recreational boating advocacy organization that also offers marine insurance and has an industry-leading hurricane response team. “Any time a major hurricane has struck the US, our BoatUS Marine Insurance Catastrophe Team has hit the ground running, salvaging boats and processing claims,” said BoatUS Damage Avoidance Director Bob Adriance. “This has given them a unique inside look at the damage inflicted upon a variety of marinas and yacht clubs. So we asked our team to identify those facilities that have consistently fared well, often lessening or even eliminating damage to docks and boats. This guide includes the best practices and strategies learned from those marinas.” The guide covers floating docks with tall pilings, strapping down boats ashore, developing hurricane clubs for customers and club members, dealing with boats at fixed docks, moving boats to hurricane holes, and how to install better moorings. A special legal notes section, “Protecting Yourself from the Storm,” offers information equally important to any marina owner or yacht club leadership — how to protect themselves from vessel owners seeking compensation for hurricane-related damage. Also included is a sample Marina Hurricane Preparation Plan that can be customized for any boating facility, as well as a Hurricane Preparation Worksheet that can be copied and given to individual boat owners. A special advertising section featuring hurricane damage avoidance products is also included. To download a copy of the guide, go to www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes . To get a paper copy, call 703-823-9550 ext. 3525. ### BoatUS is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 members with government representation, programs and money saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628. |
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tips on Hurricane Preparation
PA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION ANNOUNCES BASIC BOATING COURSE
Allentown, PA – Peters Marine Service will be hosting a Basic Boating Course instructed by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission on October 10th and October 17th, 2009. The course will be held from 9:00am to 1:00pm each day. There is no charge for the course. All participants must pre-register and must attend both sessions. Please call Peters Marine Service at 610-433-1606 or email bobby@petersmarine.com to register. The Basic Boating Course is designed to supply boaters with practical information so they can make better informed decisions on the water. Instructors will provide students with information via a classroom setting to help them reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Students who successfully complete the course may apply for a Boating Safety Education Certificate for a $10 fee. The certificate is required of all operators of personal watercraft (PWCs) or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operates a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower. More information about this course or boating safety can be found by visiting the Commission's website at www.fish.state.pa.us.
The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.
The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
First Annual Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo
The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) is holding the First Annual Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo on September 18-20, 2009 at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood, NJ. For more information, including an exhibitor list, hours and directions visit their website at: Jersey Shore Boat Show and Expo
Friday, August 28, 2009
Lack of boater education linked to rise in recreational boating fatalities
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has expressed concern over statistics reporting a rise in recreational boating fatalities in a recently released publication of the 2008 boating safety statistics.
The fatality rate, a measure of the number of deaths against the number of registered recreational boats, increased from 5.3 in 2007 to 5.6 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational boats in 2008. During this time, the Coast Guard recorded 709 deaths, 3,331 injuries and approximately $54 million dollars in damage to property, stemming from 4,789 recreational boating accidents.
Operator inattention, careless or reckless operation, no proper lookout, operator inexperience and passenger or skier behavior rank as the top five contributing factors to recreational boating accidents.
Alcohol consumption continues to be of major concern in fatal boating accidents and is listed as the leading contributing factor in 17 percent of the deaths.
Rear Adm. Kevin Cook, the Coast Guard's director of prevention policy, emphasized the importance of boating education saying, "The 2008 report shows a clear link between safety and boating education by highlighting that only 10 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety education. This statistic indicates that boaters who have taken a boating safety course are less likely to be involved in an accident. In addition, two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned; and of those, 90 percent were not wearing a life jacket. The Coast Guard urges all boaters, whether as an operator or passenger, to take a boating safety course and to always wear your life jacket."
For seventy years the Coast Guard Auxiliary has provided boater education to the American boating public. Courses are taught by experienced and knowledgeable instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information about Coast Guard Auxiliary boater education course please visit http://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/. In addition to boater education courses the Auxiliary also offers free Vessel Safety Checks. (http://www.cgaux.org/vsc/)
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America's Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.
To view the 2008 recreational boating safety statistics, go to: http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm
For more information on boating responsibly, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/.
The fatality rate, a measure of the number of deaths against the number of registered recreational boats, increased from 5.3 in 2007 to 5.6 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational boats in 2008. During this time, the Coast Guard recorded 709 deaths, 3,331 injuries and approximately $54 million dollars in damage to property, stemming from 4,789 recreational boating accidents.
Operator inattention, careless or reckless operation, no proper lookout, operator inexperience and passenger or skier behavior rank as the top five contributing factors to recreational boating accidents.
Alcohol consumption continues to be of major concern in fatal boating accidents and is listed as the leading contributing factor in 17 percent of the deaths.
Rear Adm. Kevin Cook, the Coast Guard's director of prevention policy, emphasized the importance of boating education saying, "The 2008 report shows a clear link between safety and boating education by highlighting that only 10 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety education. This statistic indicates that boaters who have taken a boating safety course are less likely to be involved in an accident. In addition, two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned; and of those, 90 percent were not wearing a life jacket. The Coast Guard urges all boaters, whether as an operator or passenger, to take a boating safety course and to always wear your life jacket."
For seventy years the Coast Guard Auxiliary has provided boater education to the American boating public. Courses are taught by experienced and knowledgeable instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information about Coast Guard Auxiliary boater education course please visit http://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/. In addition to boater education courses the Auxiliary also offers free Vessel Safety Checks. (http://www.cgaux.org/vsc/)
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America's Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.
To view the 2008 recreational boating safety statistics, go to: http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm
For more information on boating responsibly, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/.
BoatUS Reports Recreational Boating Traffic Flat
BoatUS Reports Recreational Boating Traffic Flat,
But More Boaters Using On-The-Water Towing
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 24, 2009 – The summer of the great economic downturn continues to have an effect on recreational boating, says the nation’s largest recreational boat owners group. On-the-water boat towing and ungrounding services provided to members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) were up 8% at the midsummer mark, when compared to 2008. “Boaters have less money in their wallets this year, which translates to fewer outings, less maintenance, and an increase in calls for on-the-water assistance,” said BoatUS Towing Service Vice President Jerry Cardarelli. The Association’s BoatUS Towing Service operates a fleet of 600 TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist towing vessels across the country.
Good weather and lower gas prices, which typically lead to an increase in overall boating traffic, have been offset by the recession. “Except for the Northeast, weather has generally been good, and fuel prices remain around $3.50 per gallon at the fuel dock, down about a dollar or so from last summer’s highs. But the economy has been a bigger factor,” added Cardarelli.
A May 2009 survey of BoatUS members foreshadowed today’s news. When asked how they planned to use their boat this summer, about half of the respondents said they would reduce cruising distances, stay closer to home and reduce the number of boating trips/days, among other cost-cutting measures. “The middle class is boating’s bread and butter, and like everyone else, these families are feeling the strain on their budget for discretionary activities,” added Cardarelli.
“However, breakdowns can be costly, and experienced boaters know it’s prudent to have an on-the-water towing plan that will safely get you home — with your wallet intact,” added Cardarelli. Much like an auto club, BoatUS Towing Services offers “unlimited” towing plans for boaters starting at just $34 year. Without a towing plan, the national average out-of-pocket cost for a tow is about $600.
For membership and towing information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-888-4869.
But More Boaters Using On-The-Water Towing
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 24, 2009 – The summer of the great economic downturn continues to have an effect on recreational boating, says the nation’s largest recreational boat owners group. On-the-water boat towing and ungrounding services provided to members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) were up 8% at the midsummer mark, when compared to 2008. “Boaters have less money in their wallets this year, which translates to fewer outings, less maintenance, and an increase in calls for on-the-water assistance,” said BoatUS Towing Service Vice President Jerry Cardarelli. The Association’s BoatUS Towing Service operates a fleet of 600 TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist towing vessels across the country.
Good weather and lower gas prices, which typically lead to an increase in overall boating traffic, have been offset by the recession. “Except for the Northeast, weather has generally been good, and fuel prices remain around $3.50 per gallon at the fuel dock, down about a dollar or so from last summer’s highs. But the economy has been a bigger factor,” added Cardarelli.
A May 2009 survey of BoatUS members foreshadowed today’s news. When asked how they planned to use their boat this summer, about half of the respondents said they would reduce cruising distances, stay closer to home and reduce the number of boating trips/days, among other cost-cutting measures. “The middle class is boating’s bread and butter, and like everyone else, these families are feeling the strain on their budget for discretionary activities,” added Cardarelli.
“However, breakdowns can be costly, and experienced boaters know it’s prudent to have an on-the-water towing plan that will safely get you home — with your wallet intact,” added Cardarelli. Much like an auto club, BoatUS Towing Services offers “unlimited” towing plans for boaters starting at just $34 year. Without a towing plan, the national average out-of-pocket cost for a tow is about $600.
For membership and towing information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-888-4869.
Boat Wakes Make People Angry
Boat Wakes Make People Angry - And Can Injure
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 26, 2009 – Boat wakes — those long, frothy, V-shaped waves trailing from the stern of a powerboat as it slices through the water — have a sinister side. When other vessels encounter them, they can hurt people. They can make people angry, and they can bring the wrath of law enforcement, for good reason.
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recently looked into the issue of boat wakes by combing through the insurance claims case files, where swampings, broken teeth, and back injuries are found. “You avoid being the recipient of gestures from other skippers by using a little common sense and courtesy,” says BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. “This means coming completely off plane when you enter a no wake zone or anywhere your wake could compromise the safety of other boats,” he adds.
Here are some tips to help prevent boat wake injuries to you and other boaters:
Slow early: Boat wakes travel distances, so slow down before you reach a slow-speed zone, not as you pass the marker.
Just a little slowing down isn’t good enough: Upon entering a no wake zone, some boaters react by only slowing the vessel slightly, and then plow through with the bow way up and stern dug down, actually increasing the wake. Come completely off plane.
Make her level: Without using trim tabs, a slowed vessel should be level in the water. With some smaller boats, shifting passengers around can help, as too much weight aft increases wake size.
Watch the shallows: Shallow water increases wake size.
Small boats aren’t innocent: Wakes are not just a big boat issue — small vessels in the stern-down position can throw surprisingly large wakes.
When approaching a wake, slow down but don’t stop: Motorboats are more stable when underway, so stopping could make things worse. Avoid taking a wake on the beam or head on. The best approach is at a slight angle. This will keep your passengers in your boat.
Take care of older crew: The BoatU.S. insurance claims files show that persons over the age of 50 have the most personal injuries, mostly as a result of being seated near the bow when the boat slams into a wake. It’s best to seat passengers — especially older passengers — amidships.
Warn the crew: A simple “Hold-on. Boat wake” should do the trick, just as long as you shout the warning well before the wake arrives.
###
BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 members with government representation, programs and money saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 26, 2009 – Boat wakes — those long, frothy, V-shaped waves trailing from the stern of a powerboat as it slices through the water — have a sinister side. When other vessels encounter them, they can hurt people. They can make people angry, and they can bring the wrath of law enforcement, for good reason.
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recently looked into the issue of boat wakes by combing through the insurance claims case files, where swampings, broken teeth, and back injuries are found. “You avoid being the recipient of gestures from other skippers by using a little common sense and courtesy,” says BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. “This means coming completely off plane when you enter a no wake zone or anywhere your wake could compromise the safety of other boats,” he adds.
Here are some tips to help prevent boat wake injuries to you and other boaters:
Slow early: Boat wakes travel distances, so slow down before you reach a slow-speed zone, not as you pass the marker.
Just a little slowing down isn’t good enough: Upon entering a no wake zone, some boaters react by only slowing the vessel slightly, and then plow through with the bow way up and stern dug down, actually increasing the wake. Come completely off plane.
Make her level: Without using trim tabs, a slowed vessel should be level in the water. With some smaller boats, shifting passengers around can help, as too much weight aft increases wake size.
Watch the shallows: Shallow water increases wake size.
Small boats aren’t innocent: Wakes are not just a big boat issue — small vessels in the stern-down position can throw surprisingly large wakes.
When approaching a wake, slow down but don’t stop: Motorboats are more stable when underway, so stopping could make things worse. Avoid taking a wake on the beam or head on. The best approach is at a slight angle. This will keep your passengers in your boat.
Take care of older crew: The BoatU.S. insurance claims files show that persons over the age of 50 have the most personal injuries, mostly as a result of being seated near the bow when the boat slams into a wake. It’s best to seat passengers — especially older passengers — amidships.
Warn the crew: A simple “Hold-on. Boat wake” should do the trick, just as long as you shout the warning well before the wake arrives.
###
BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 members with government representation, programs and money saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.
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