The Harbor Column -- Mike Whitehead

Ahoy.

I just returned from an ocean voyage and, along the way, we kept

diverting our course due to objects we could see floating in the ocean.

Each time, a string of rubber or Mylar balloons floated on the water.

It is really amazing the number of balloons that we actually see while

out on the ocean -- including on the way to Hawaii, too. I only see the

balloons that drift out to sea and I can only imagine the number that

drift to inland areas.

Well, the damage these balloons cause on the waterways is huge because

the sea creatures eat these floating objects thinking that the balloons

are food.

Please do not release balloons in the air for any reason, and I think

that any event that releases balloons into the air is doing a major

disservice to our environment. Let me know what do your think.

***

I have been receiving a lot of e-mail saying what another great

Christmas Boat Parade we had, and I have only received a few e-mails

saying otherwise.

The problem they mention, first and foremost, is that a few boats hit

bottom in the harbor due to the low tides. This is a perfect example why

we need to dredge the harbor -- whether the Army Corps of Engineers steps

up to the plate or Newport Beach takes charge. Think of the thousands of

dollars that these vessels owner must now pay for a haul out, to fix or

replace the props, shaft balancing, etc.

We need to dredge the harbor not tomorrow but now. So how do we begin?

Funds are being made available for the Back Bay -- where boats are not

allowed -- because of environmental concerns, but we should also make it

clear that the harbor needs dredging due to environmental concerns as

well. With the millions of dollars being spent on the Back Bay, the city

or the county should just purchase a dredger as other harbors have done

to dredge year-round as needed.

Also, I have received negative feedback about this year’s Christmas

Boat Parade, not due to the parade but due to the large boats. One reader

wrote that from his house on Lido Island, his view was blocked by the

145-foot Rapture in the center of the channel.

My question was what view was blocked? The larger boats are asked to

stay in the center of all the channels as to not impede the parade flow.

Additionally, the boats in the parade are decorated on their starboard

sides to display the spirit to the homes, parks and restaurants along the

parade route. So, how do the vessels in the middle of the route block any

view?

I was in skippering in the parade every night aboard private yachts

and believe me, the parade was not too congested. Twenty years ago, you

could not navigate in the harbor during the parade and now it is no

problem anywhere in the harbor, plus after 9 p.m., the harbor is vacant.

Let’s save the parade and encourage boats to join in, not just whine.

***

Finally, I have been researching new boating laws for 2002 and both

locally and federally, I have found no new laws that affect us. If you

know of any new boating laws, let me know, but also include the necessary

information such as bill number and author.

Tip of the week is to check your GPS insert cartridges. The charts are

being updated on a constant basis and if you purchased your GPS chip a

few years ago, it is probably out of date. Check with your GPS

manufacturer or local electronics store to find out if you need an

update.

Recently, I have been on a few older boats and the GPS chips were out

of date. With an updated chip, the old unit becomes new again.

Next time on your boat, look at your electronics and think if it is

time for an update or new equipment. There is more power in the handheld

GPS units than what was aboard the Mercury spaceship.

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 .