Boating season is upon us

Ahoy.

King Neptune is calling all boaters to join him, as the boating season is here.

There is a chance of a weather system blowing through our area this weekend, but I predict we will not see any measurable rain falling from the partly cloudy skies.

Yacht and boating clubs across the nation are celebrating their opening days as the ice thaws from their waterways. Since Newport Harbor does not become an ice rink in the winter, the official opening-day ceremonies are held in April and May.

Opening day for the Newport Sea Base is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. .

“The order of the day is experiencing the fun and all the things that the sea base has to offer,” Executive Director Charlie Abbott said.

All day you will be able to play games, take a boat ride, tie knots that you will be able to eat, and watch a few people be washed off the docks when the Harbor Patrol demonstrates their fireboat’s very powerful firefighting capabilities. I can’t wait to taste the grub that will be flying off the Newport Beach Fire Department’s portable barbecue.

A mermaid has told me that a band of pirates will be making an appearance at the base ? and I do mean a band, as it seems that these pirates have traded their swords for songs.

My boathouse crew and I will be broadcasting our radio show from the sea base during opening day. Stop by our booth between noon and 1, and you might be on the radio.

The parking lot at the sea base will be full before the sun rises over Saddleback Mountain, so there is a simple solution if you can’t find parking on West Coast Highway: A shuttle bus will run from Newport Harbor High School’s 15th Street parking lot.

This will be a fun day for the entire family. For more information, visit www.newportseabase.org or call (949) 642-5031.

The tip of the week is for all boaters to navigate safely by the temporary docks extending into the harbor from Lido Marina Village. The docks are being put in position for what is dubbed the West’s most prestigious in-the-water boat show.

The Newport Boat Show at the Lido Marina Village is celebrating its 33rd year.

Don Franken, who handles public relations for the show, says this year’s edition will have the largest display of big boats and yachts west of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The boat show will be held May 3 through 7, and there will be free parking and continuous free shuttle service from Newport Tech Center, 500 Superior Avenue, south of 15th Street.

Surf on over to www.goboatingamerica.com or call (949) 757-5959 for information.

Remember to tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation every Saturday at noon. “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” is on KCBQ-AM (1170) and can be heard online at www.boathouseradio.com.

Safe voyages.