MIKE WHITEHEAD -- The Harbor Column

Ahoy.

Last week, I told you about the rescue by the Newport Harbor Patrol

Deputies of the three researchers who were tossed into the ocean.

Well, I failed to mention the name of the dispatcher, Shiela Tubbs,

who heard the solo distress call over channel 16 on the VHF marine band

radio. Upon hearing the transmission, Tubbs immediately wrote down and

plotted the lat/long position on her chart program. With only that

information, she was able to direct the deputies to the location for the

rescue, so kudos, Shiela, for your attentiveness and quick response.

In response to the column, I received many e-mails concerning the

rescue, but a few stick in my mind.

One reader said: “I would suggest that you add to your list of safety

tips that boaters should check the marine weather forecast before setting

out.” Excellent point and the Harbor Department has a weather recording

at (949) 675-0503, and on the web is a great boating site from NOAA at

o7 https://www.nwsla.noaa.gov/java.htmlf7 . A local Web site on Balboa

Island at o7 https://www.talesofbalboa.comf7 has a weather report

selection, too.

Another reader was very blunt and to the point. Part of that e-mail

read: “If the small craft warning flag is flying, do not take your boat

out of the harbor. There is a reason the Harbor Department flies this

flag.

“The Harbor Department personnel are extremely well trained, but they

do not need to be rescuing stupid people. People that think this could

not happen to them, only to the other guy. The Harbor Department

personnel have enough to do. They do not need to baby-sit people who do

not use good judgment and common sense.”

I agree with checking not only the weather forecast, but also the sea

conditions if you’re venturing into the ocean. You must know your boat’s

limitations as small, open-bow boats will be the most susceptible to

sinking. I skipper a few large yachts that only get a bumpy ride during

small craft conditions.

In addition to knowing what your vessel can safely handle, you have to

know what you and your guests can handle. Just because the boat may be

able to withstand flying off the tops of 6-foot swells does not mean you

can handle the boat without injuring anyone on board. I always explain to

my delivery crew that if the seas are in our favor, we are not stopping

to sightsee, but if the conditions worsen, then I am all for stopping in

a safe harbor to protect the crew and vessel.

***

I am flying this week to the South and the East Coast with a planned

itinerary of returning in time for the start of the Christmas Boat Parade

on Dec. 17. This trip’s primarily purpose is for me to explore the

feasibility of hosting a new boater’s radio program with a broadcast

company.

I have listened to radio programs dealing with politics, cooking, law

questions and real estate -- to name a few -- so why not boating? In

Southern California, I know of two fishing radio shows, however I would

like to host a program where the recreational boater is the main focus,

answering questions and having guest hosts to answer specific questions

like engine problems.

A boating show can have a format that includes trips, not only on the

ocean but on lakes and rivers as well. Throw in a little fishing and

weather reports for the show, and I think that a boating radio show can

be popular, so let me know what you think.

***

Tip of week: Watching the weather changes for Santa Ana winds before

they arrive in our area. Normally, you can predict Santa Ana (actually

Santana’s) winds by making a few observations, such as looking to see if

the jets are landing in a reverse flight pattern into John Wayne Airport

by flying in over the Back Bay? If so, then there is an inversion layer

that has a high probability of dropping down to ground level.

When you got up in the morning, or even later that day, if you noticed

a very dry humidity with usually warm air, that’s further indication that

you should check for the northerly winds blowing elsewhere from the

mountains and start preparations should the winds hit while you are

underway.

I am out of space, but maybe in another column I can explain how the

Santana winds are created and why they are warm and dry, just let me

know.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him

your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions via e-mail

to o7 [email protected] or o7 https://www.BoathouseTV.comf7 .