Just in time for the parade

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy,

Well, I did not miss the first night of the Newport Harbor

Christmas Boat Parade. I mentioned in last week’s column that I

might, as I would be skippering a private yacht back to Newport

Harbor from Ensenada on Wednesday. Luckily, the seas were flattened

by the offshore winds, and the swells dropped to help me make a fast

voyage up the coast.

Once again, when we crossed over into U.S. waters, we diverted to

San Diego to request to be cleared by U.S. Customs. I find it

interesting that we were the only boat that detoured for customs; two

other yachts just kept going north. So much for homeland security.

We noticed an unusual number of military helicopters buzzing

around San Diego’s entrance when we were approaching at noontime, and

we soon discovered why. There was a submarine being escorted out to

sea by naval security, and just inside the jetty entrance, we were

allowed to pass by the submarine very close. I noticed that the sub

gives a strange radar image to what a vessel of that size should

display on the screen.

While we waited for a customs officer, I noticed that the naval

activity did not decrease after the sub’s departure. Once again, we

found out why: There was an 800-foot plus LHD amphibious assault ship

backing out near the sub station. What a huge vessel! There were

three tractor tugs assisting the ship off its pier. Naval security

was very helpful and allowed us to pass the ship on its port side as

we headed for the open ocean.

I entered Newport a little after 6 p.m., so I cruised by all the

decorated boats lining up for the start of the parade while heading

for the De Anza Marina. As I passed the Nautical Museum, it was

entertaining to watch the surprise of the skippers when they had to

swerve to miss hitting the unlighted parade turning marker floating

in the middle of the channel. A little hint is to light the marker’s

white lights at dusk, especially as most boaters are not familiar

with cruising at night and the marker’s little yellow flashing light

is lost in the background.

Many boat owners are inviting guests aboard to view the parade,

and it is easy to neglect lifejackets. You must a lifejacket for each

person aboard your boat, even children. For those who will have

visiting children but no lifejackets for them, you can borrow a

child’s lifejacket provided by the BoatUS’s Child PDF Loaner Program.

Simply stop by the Newport Harbor Patrol Office on Bayside Drive

where you can borrow a Child’s Lifejacket for the evening and then

return it the next day.

Now, you have no excuse. I recommend the children wear a

lifejacket while on the boat and while on the docks.

My weather prediction for the parade is very promising, and I do

not foresee any precipitation with the spectacular sunsets. Keep in

mind that boaters can contact the parade officials on VHF marine

radio’s working channel 68. The No. 1 rule is to boat safe and

remember the inland navigation rules still apply, so boat smart.

This Sunday on my Boathouse Radio Show, we will be honored, once

again, with the director of the California Department of Boating and

Waterways, Ray Tsuneyoshi. The outreach to boaters that Tsuneyoshi

does on a consistent basis is unprecedented for any state official

and shows that you can be heard by the department’s boss-man. If you

want to speak to Tsuneyoshi, call in this Sunday, and time

permitting, I will put you on the air with him.

The radio show is aired every Sunday from 4 to 5 p.m. on KCBQ-AM

(1170), or listen over the Internet at https://www.boathouse

radio.com. Listeners can call in to (888) 344-1170 to join in on

Southern California’s only boating talk radio show reaching ports up

the coast from San Diego to Oxnard and out to Santa Catalina Island.

Safe voyages.

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

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to [email protected] or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.