BoatUS, the Boat Owners Association of the US, makes available an informative PDF on what you need to do to prepare your boat for a hurricane.
Advice on securing your boat at a fixed or floating dock, at a mooring, at anchor on land or on a trailer are all covered giving valuable safety advice for experienced and new mariners alike. This informative brochure also gives advice for boats stored on high-rise racks, lifts and davits.
You'll a;so learn how to prevent lines from chaffing, proper use of cleats and tips on preventing water damage.
To read the entire brochure on a PDF follow this link: Preparing a Boat for a Hurricane
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Jumping Off The Boat?
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 8, 2011 - "Boating and swimming often go hand-in-hand," says BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance, "but adding alcohol to that mix can lead to some unintended outcomes." Charged with combing through the BoatUS Marine Insurance Claims files to identify unsafe boating behaviors and help boaters avoid injury or accidents, Adriance knows what he's talking about. "People know not to drink and drive a boat, but they don't always know that it's not a good idea to drink and swim," he added.
Buried deep in the claims files, Adriance comes across a story about a group of friends having drinks at a Florida resort that decided to go for a moonlit tour of the harbor. At midnight, despite choppy seas and 20-knot winds, their boat is allowed to drift while several jump in. Unfortunately, winds quickly sweep the boat away, so the captain "backs down" on the swimmers in the water to get everyone back aboard. Amazingly, no one is hurt except for a 40-year old woman - later identified as a good swimmer - who is simply never found.
It's no secret that alcohol often causes people to take unwise risks while at the same time inhibiting their ability to think quickly in critical situations. With up to about 50% of all adult drownings involving alcohol, BoatUS has the following information that all boaters should know:
BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money-saving services such as boat insurance. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628. For a free online insurance quote, go to www.BoatUS.com/insurance or call 800-283-2883. For more information on boating safety, go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation.
Buried deep in the claims files, Adriance comes across a story about a group of friends having drinks at a Florida resort that decided to go for a moonlit tour of the harbor. At midnight, despite choppy seas and 20-knot winds, their boat is allowed to drift while several jump in. Unfortunately, winds quickly sweep the boat away, so the captain "backs down" on the swimmers in the water to get everyone back aboard. Amazingly, no one is hurt except for a 40-year old woman - later identified as a good swimmer - who is simply never found.
It's no secret that alcohol often causes people to take unwise risks while at the same time inhibiting their ability to think quickly in critical situations. With up to about 50% of all adult drownings involving alcohol, BoatUS has the following information that all boaters should know:
- Medical researchers have found that combining alcohol and swimming without taking in sufficient carbohydrates can be dangerous. In the Florida case, it is believed that the woman had only a salad and two glasses of white wine for dinner, but when adding the exercise of a midnight swim, she may have developed hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which causes weakness and confusion.
- US Coast Guard tests have shown that environmental stressors - sun, wind, wave motion, vibration and glare - can slow a boat operator's reaction time and make them prone to more errors. This fatigue reduces an operator's reaction time as much as drinking alcohol alone. However, when you combine the two, it can lead to boaters missing ten times as many "cues" as those who are only exposed to the environmental stressors alone.
- Alcohol also inhibits the body's signaling system so that swimmers may not realize how quickly hypothermia has set in. In one case from New England, a man who was drinking beer on a sunny day fell overboard, but the cold waters quickly prevented him from climbing back aboard. He tried to swim to shore but never made it.
- Sudden cooling of the skin can also cause caloric labyrinthitis and/or hyperventilation. An inner ear disturbance, caloric labyrinthitis causes disorientation leading some swimmers to become confused on which way is up. Hyperventilation can also cause a swimmer to "breathe in" water.
- Know what drowning looks like: someone who is drowning lacks lung capacity to call for help. Drowning victims move their arms as though climbing a ladder, taking quick gulps of air before slipping back under. In an adult, this can last up to a minute before the victim never resurfaces - a child may only do this for 20 seconds.
- Never jump overboard before ensuring the depth of the water and knowing that it's free of underwater hazards such as rocks, shoals, stumps, or other structures. Also pick swimming areas away from boating traffic and strong currents. It's always best to anchor, shut down the motor, and deploy the boarding ladder before going in.
BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money-saving services such as boat insurance. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628. For a free online insurance quote, go to www.BoatUS.com/insurance or call 800-283-2883. For more information on boating safety, go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Happy 221st Birthday to the US Coast Guard
"From humble beginnings, the United States Coast Guard has emerged as a model within our government and, indeed, around the world. I am so very proud to serve with you and your families who make possible everything their loved ones do for our Nation.
The Joint Chiefs and I salute the extraordinary men, women and families of our United States Coast Guard, Reserve and Auxiliary. America is safer and more secure because of you." Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
From it's humble beginnings in 1790 when President George Washington created the Revenue Cutter Service, the US Coast Guard has grown into the nations first responder on the water, America’s Maritime Guardian
By law, the Coast Guard has 11 missions:
The Coast Guard's motto is Semper Paratus, meaning "Always Ready."
The Joint Chiefs and I salute the extraordinary men, women and families of our United States Coast Guard, Reserve and Auxiliary. America is safer and more secure because of you." Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
From it's humble beginnings in 1790 when President George Washington created the Revenue Cutter Service, the US Coast Guard has grown into the nations first responder on the water, America’s Maritime Guardian
By law, the Coast Guard has 11 missions:
The Coast Guard's motto is Semper Paratus, meaning "Always Ready."
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
EPA Announces Public Comment Period on Proposal to Ban Dumping Sewage from Boats Into Jamaica Bay
(New York, N.Y. – Aug. 3, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tentatively determined that there are adequate facilities near Jamaica Bay for boats to pump out their sewage, allowing the establishment of a “no discharge zone” for an approximately 20,000-acre area, as proposed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. A no-discharge zone means that boats are completely banned from discharging sewage into the water. Boaters must instead dispose of their sewage at specially-designated pump-out stations. This action is part of a joint EPA/New York State strategy to eliminate the discharge of sewage from boats into the state’s waterways. Discharges of sewage from boats can contain harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine, which have a negative impact on water quality, pose a risk to people’s health and impair marine life. EPA is encouraging public comment on its proposed approval until September 2, 2011.
EPA’s tentative determination is available in the Federal Register at:
New York State has proposed to ban the discharge of boat sewage in an area of Jamaica Bay that encompasses 17,177 acres of open water and 2,695 acres of upland islands and salt marshes in Brooklyn and Queens. The northeastern and southeastern parts of Jamaica Bay reach Nassau County, while the northern shore of the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens forms the southern boundary of the bay. The bay is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Rockaway Inlet, and eight tributaries empty into Jamaica Bay: Sheepshead Bay, Paerdegat Basin, Fresh Creek, Hendrix Creek, Spring Creek, Shellbank Basin, Bergen Basin and Thurston Basin. Upon a final affirmative determination from EPA, New York State may proceed to ban the discharge of boat sewage into Jamaica Bay and its tributaries.
For more information about no discharge zones, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/water/ndz/index.html.
To comment on the proposed EPA approval, email, fax or mail comments to Moses Chang at chang.moses@epa.gov, Fax: (212) 637-3891. Mailing address: Moses Chang, U.S. EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866.
2011-2012 Boat Show Schedule
Eighteen boat shows are planned by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) for this coming winter season. These shows will showcase the latest in boats, fishing gear, outdoor equipment, RV’s, camping and marine accessories, water sports paraphernalia, sailboats and gear, plus attractions for every outdoor recreational enthusiast.
Below is the list in alphabetical order of upcoming shows:
50th ATLANTA BOAT SHOW®
January 12–15, 2012
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
AtlantaBoatShow.com
33rd ATLANTIC CITY BOAT SHOW®
February 1–5, 2012
Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ
ACBoatShow.com
58th BALTIMORE BOAT SHOW®
January 19–22, 2012
Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD
BaltimoreBoatShow.com
82nd CHICAGO BOAT, SPORTS & RV SHOW®
January 12–16, 2012
McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
ChicagoBoatShow.com
58th KANSAS CITY BOAT & SPORTSHOW®
January 19–22, 2012
Bartle Hall, Kansas City, MO
KansasCitySportshow.com
55th LOUISVILLE BOAT, RV & SPORTSHOW®
January 25–29, 2012
Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY
LouisvilleBoatRVShow.com
71st MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW®
February 16–20, 2012
Miami Beach Convention Center,
Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center
Miami, FL
MiamiBoatShow.com
40th MINNEAPOLIS BOAT SHOW®
January 19–22, 2012
Minneapolis Convention Center
Minneapolis, MN
MinneapolisBoatShow.com
26th NASHVILLE BOAT & SPORTSHOW®
January 12–15, 2012
Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, TN
NashvilleBoatShow.com
56th NEW ENGLAND BOAT SHOW®
February 11–19, 2012
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA
NewEnglandBoatShow.com
107th NEW YORK BOAT SHOW®
January 4–8, 2012
Jacob K. Javits Center, New York, NY
NYBoatShow.com
35th NORWALK BOAT SHOW®
September 22–25, 2011
Norwalk Cove Marina, Norwalk, CT
BoatShowNorwalk.com
80th NORTHWEST SPORTSHOW®
March 28–April 1, 2012
Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
NorthwestSportshow.com
58th ST. LOUIS BOAT & SPORTSHOW®
February 8–12, 2012
America’s Center & Edward Jones Dome
St. Louis, MO
StLouisBoatShow.com
33rd ROSEMONT SPORTFISHING,
TRAVEL & OUTDOORS SHOW®
January 25–29, 2012
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, IL
RosemontOutdoorsShow.com
46th TAMPA BOAT SHOW®
September 9–11, 2011
Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
TampaBoatShow.com
SAIL SHOWS
17th STRICTLY SAIL® CHICAGO
January 26–29, 2012
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
StrictlySailChicago.com
27th STRICTLY SAIL® MIAMI
February 16–218 0, 2012
Miamarina at Bayside, Miami, FL
StrictlySailMiami.com
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Kayaks, Canoes, Inflatable Rafts and Paddleboards: What You Need to Know!
Harrisburg, PA – Kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts and paddleboards are increasing in popularity with the summer heat. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is reminding operators of these watercraft that it is important to know what safety equipment and regulations apply.
“Currently, unpowered boats are not required to be registered, unless they are being used at a state-owned access such as a Commission access area or lake or Pennsylvania state parks and state forests,” said Ryan Walt, PFBC boating and watercraft safety manager. “In these cases, you must either have your non-powered boat registered or have a launch permit issued by the Commission or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.”
The cost to register a non-powered boat or to buy a launch permit is the same - $10 for one year or $18 for two - but registration provides additional benefits to the owner, Walt added. “By registering your boat, the information is recorded in our system and we can help you and the authorities locate it if it is ever lost or stolen.”
Registration also makes the renewal process easier. “Once your boat is registered, we will send you a renewal notice three months before the period is up,” said Walt. “It’s convenient and allows the owner to spend more time thinking about paddling and less time worrying about whether they renewed their registration or have a current launch permit.”
In addition to the registration requirement, important life-saving equipment is required to be carried on non-powered crafts.
Life jackets:
Every person in a kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard must have on board a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard-approved, wearable type I, II, III, or V life jacket of appropriate size. Children 12 years of age and younger must wear their life jackets while underway on any boat 20 feet or less in length and on all canoes and kayaks. Life jackets save lives, so Wear It!
Sound producing device:
Unpowered boat operators are required to carry a device capable of sounding a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An athletic coach’s whistle is an acceptable sound producing device. Clip it to your life jacket for easy access.
Lights:
Any kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard on the water after dusk must have a hand-held or installed white light to be displayed in time to avoid a collision with another craft. When anchored or moored after dusk, an all-round white light must be displayed where it can best be seen 360 degrees.
Additional information about paddleboards:
Paddleboards are considered boats as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard if they are used outside the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing, or a bathing area. As such, they are subject to regulations administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the PFBC, including life jacket, sound producing device and navigation light requirements.
Additional information about inner tubes, float tubes, and inflatable rafts:
Pennsylvania has no general law prohibiting the launching of inner tubes or tubing on Pennsylvania rivers. Whether it is legal to launch or retrieve inner tubes at a particular access area depends on the regulations for that site. For instance, it is unlawful to launch or retrieve swimming aids, such as inner tubes and similar devices, from access areas managed for fishing and boating by the PFBC.
However, on PFBC-controlled lakes, float tubes can be used if the user is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, is lawfully fishing, and is not propelled by a mechanical device. A float tube is defined as a device constructed to provide stable flotation and a level ride to a single angler in a manner that minimizes the possibility of capsizing. If using an inflatable raft on Commission property the raft must be at least 7 feet in length, made of durable, reinforced fabric and have at least two separate buoyancy chambers exclusive of any floor or bottom.
“As the summer continues to heat up, paddlers and tubers will be hitting the water to cool down,” Walt said. “Remember, safe boating saves lives, so know the waters you’re boating, always be on the lookout for what’s happening around you, and ‘Wear It!’”.
Registrations and launch permits may be purchased through PFBC offices, most county courthouses, boat dealers or through any other PFBC issuing agent. The DCNR launch permit can be purchased from any state park office. For more information see the Boat Registration Section of our website at: http://fishandboat.com/registration.htm.
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 fishandboat.com.
“Currently, unpowered boats are not required to be registered, unless they are being used at a state-owned access such as a Commission access area or lake or Pennsylvania state parks and state forests,” said Ryan Walt, PFBC boating and watercraft safety manager. “In these cases, you must either have your non-powered boat registered or have a launch permit issued by the Commission or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.”
The cost to register a non-powered boat or to buy a launch permit is the same - $10 for one year or $18 for two - but registration provides additional benefits to the owner, Walt added. “By registering your boat, the information is recorded in our system and we can help you and the authorities locate it if it is ever lost or stolen.”
Registration also makes the renewal process easier. “Once your boat is registered, we will send you a renewal notice three months before the period is up,” said Walt. “It’s convenient and allows the owner to spend more time thinking about paddling and less time worrying about whether they renewed their registration or have a current launch permit.”
In addition to the registration requirement, important life-saving equipment is required to be carried on non-powered crafts.
Life jackets:
Every person in a kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard must have on board a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard-approved, wearable type I, II, III, or V life jacket of appropriate size. Children 12 years of age and younger must wear their life jackets while underway on any boat 20 feet or less in length and on all canoes and kayaks. Life jackets save lives, so Wear It!
Sound producing device:
Unpowered boat operators are required to carry a device capable of sounding a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An athletic coach’s whistle is an acceptable sound producing device. Clip it to your life jacket for easy access.
Lights:
Any kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard on the water after dusk must have a hand-held or installed white light to be displayed in time to avoid a collision with another craft. When anchored or moored after dusk, an all-round white light must be displayed where it can best be seen 360 degrees.
Additional information about paddleboards:
Paddleboards are considered boats as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard if they are used outside the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing, or a bathing area. As such, they are subject to regulations administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the PFBC, including life jacket, sound producing device and navigation light requirements.
Additional information about inner tubes, float tubes, and inflatable rafts:
Pennsylvania has no general law prohibiting the launching of inner tubes or tubing on Pennsylvania rivers. Whether it is legal to launch or retrieve inner tubes at a particular access area depends on the regulations for that site. For instance, it is unlawful to launch or retrieve swimming aids, such as inner tubes and similar devices, from access areas managed for fishing and boating by the PFBC.
However, on PFBC-controlled lakes, float tubes can be used if the user is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, is lawfully fishing, and is not propelled by a mechanical device. A float tube is defined as a device constructed to provide stable flotation and a level ride to a single angler in a manner that minimizes the possibility of capsizing. If using an inflatable raft on Commission property the raft must be at least 7 feet in length, made of durable, reinforced fabric and have at least two separate buoyancy chambers exclusive of any floor or bottom.
“As the summer continues to heat up, paddlers and tubers will be hitting the water to cool down,” Walt said. “Remember, safe boating saves lives, so know the waters you’re boating, always be on the lookout for what’s happening around you, and ‘Wear It!’”.
Registrations and launch permits may be purchased through PFBC offices, most county courthouses, boat dealers or through any other PFBC issuing agent. The DCNR launch permit can be purchased from any state park office. For more information see the Boat Registration Section of our website at: http://fishandboat.com/registration.htm.
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 fishandboat.com.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Boaters Stand to Lose Critical GPS Navigational Aid
Voice Your Opinion: Comment Period Closes July 30
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 13, 2011 - As a result of a proposal by a private company to use radio frequency bandwidth right next to the existing GPS radio bandwidth, the future reliability of the GPS system across the United States is now in question. The nation's largest recreational boaters group, BoatUS, says boaters could have a hard time avoiding treacherous shoals or simply finding their way home if GPS signals are interfered with, and is urging boaters to speak out during a 30-day comment period."This is a remarkably short comment period for an issue that has such dire consequences for America's boaters and every other GPS user in the country," said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich.
At issue is an unusual conditional waiver granted in January by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to a broadband wireless communications provider, LightSquared, to permit the dramatic expansion of land-based use of mobile satellite spectrum. This spectrum, or frequency bandwidth, is directly adjacent to the frequencies used for Global Positioning System (GPS) communications.
The company has proposed to build 40,000 ground stations. LightSquared's high-powered ground-based transmissions from these stations have shown to cause interference in hundreds of millions of GPS receivers across a wide range of uses, including aviation, marine, emergency response and industrial users such as delivery and trucking companies. A new report requested by the FCC says, "all phases of the LightSquared deployment plan will result in widespread harmful interference to GPS signals and service and that mitigation is not possible."
Recreational boaters lost their only other viable navigation system, LORAN, when the Department of Homeland Security shut the system down last year. At that time the US Coast Guard urged mariners to shift to GPS-based navigation systems. Boaters rely on GPS-enabled chart-plotters to steer clear of navigation hazards, keep them in the safety of deep-water channels, or even get them home when storms shut down visibility. "They are a critical piece of safety gear," said Podlich. "What will boaters do if they are unreliable, and how will the US Coast Guard's new emergency search and rescue system that stands watch over 36,985 miles of coastline, Rescue 21, remain effective, since it relies on GPS?"
Boaters and other GPS users are urged to speak up now by going to www.BoatUS.com/gov to send their comments to the FCC and their members of Congress.
BoatUS is a member of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, which works to resolve this serious threat to the GPS system.
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