The Harbor Column -- Mike Whitehead

Ahoy.

The boating season officially begins on this Memorial Day weekend and

the weather is expected to be perfect for outdoor activities.

This busy boating weekend immediately follows the end of the North

American Safe Boating Campaign Safe Boating Week that boasts the motto

“Boat Smart from the Start, Wear Your Lifejacket.” The United States

Coast Guard administers an Aquatic Resources (Wallop/Breaux) Trust Fund

and with the help of the National Safe Boating Council produces this

annual event.

California does not have a boater licensing law except that commercial

operators must be licensed whether on federal or state waterways. This

leaves the burden of boater safety solely upon the boat operator who is

required to know and follow both international and inland rules of the

road. Inland regulations are followed while in the harbor and

international when in the ocean or technically past the line of

demarcation at the jetty entrance.

The boater must be aware of the environmental regulations such as what

no discharge harbor means, when one can dispose trash overboard, fueling

spillage and all the MARPOL regulations. In addition, the boater need to

know how to properly operate the marine band VHF radio to call for help

or to call a nearby boater. It is amazing that I still hear boaters

asking for radio checks on Channel 16 and then other boaters answering

the radio checks that is in direct violation. At least I have not heard

any quasi-CBers on the radio asking for a break or using the 10 code.

Keep in mind this. Do not approach within 100 yards of any Navy

Vessel. If you must pass within 100 yards, contact the naval vessel or

the Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF Channel 16. When you are within 500

yards of any naval vessel, you must operate at minimum speed and obey any

directions given by the Commanding Officer or any escort vessel.

Recreational boaters can help with homeland security by following these

simple regulations.

***

The resulting damage to boats appears to be putting the nail in the

coffin for the Newport Dunes’ annual Fourth of July fireworks show. Slip

renters at the Dunes are complaining that hot byproducts from the

fireworks are burning holes in their boats and canvass covers. Well,

there is a solution that’s done in most other harbors with fireworks

displays, and that is to have the fireworks launched off a barge anchored

in the ocean, like by the Balboa Pier. Now spectators can line the

beachfront and boaters who want to can float out in the ocean to watch

the show.

This seems like a win-win situation and I think that this proposition

has been made in the past. The Dunes has been a wonderful host for years

providing the annual fireworks show. However, as civilization encroaches

with noise complaints, boats being damaged and disappearing open space to

view the display, maybe it is time to relocate the show.

The fireworks have the potential of being seen by many more homes

along the coast from north Laguna Beach to south Huntington Beach. Now,

if anyone complains, then just float the barge out past the 3-mile line

and launch the projectiles higher into the air.

In closing, if the 10 Chinese illegal immigrants that were caught

after swimming ashore at Crystal Cove had simply disembarked at high noon

at a dock in Newport Harbor under the guise of the private boat cruise,

would anyone have noticed?

***

Question of the week, would you listen or sponsor a boating talk show

radio program? I am considering hosting a boating radio program talking

about boat trips, boating tips, new products, new laws, mechanical help,

environmental issues and more. I foresee the radio show to be an

extension of this column and my TV show where I can discuss topics and

gain valuable feedback from you live on the air. Boating is reaching

national media attention as last Friday on the Rush Limbaugh Radio Show,

Rush mentioned the banning of two-stroke outboard engines, and how

boaters are being noted as the largest polluters of petroleum in our

waterways, which is true or false? Let’s discuss these issues and get the

facts. Go to my Web site at o7 www.BoathouseTV.comf7 and answer my

quick survey.

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 BoathouseTV.comf7 .