THE HARBOR COLUMN:

Ahoy,

Fourth of July is next Friday, and this is one of the busiest boating times of the year. I expect the crowds to begin this weekend and continue through next week.

Hailing all boaters to register now for the 53rd annual Old Glory Boat Parade at 1 p.m. on the Fourth of July. You are invited to share the American spirit by celebrating at the American Legion and especially the boat parade.

The theme is “America the Beautiful,” and that should bring out the red, white and blue decorations on the parade vessels.

The parade is organized by the American Legion Yacht Club, and Post 291 will host a daylong gala by opening its doors to the public for a special breakfast, lunch and dinner.

You can find out more, register for the parade or purchase meal tickets at www.oldgloryboatparade.info, or stop by the Newport Beach American Legion located on the bay front at 15th Street and Balboa Boulevard.

Tip of the week is for all boaters who will be barbecuing aboard their boats during the holiday.

I have seen melted fiberglass decks from someone setting a hibachi directly on the deck.

Remember you are on a boat when you are barbecuing, and boats rock and roll with the wakes from other passing boats, especially if you are in the ocean swells. I have seen cockpit decks pitted after burning charcoal was flipped out; plus, I have seen grills flipped on their sides.

Never use your barbecue inside an enclosed cabin, whether in the galley or on the flybridge with all the windows zipped up tight. Carbon monoxide poisoning is real, known as the silent killer, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports annually there are 15,000 emergency room visits and 500 unintentional deaths in the U.S. from unintentional carbon monoxide exposure.

Think safety, so have a fire extinguisher close to the grill or simply fill a bucket with sea water to use for dousing the barbecue. I saved the best for last, and that is to watch out for the sea gulls that will dive out of the sky to scoop food directly off the grill.

Remember to tune in Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” broadcasting from our studios inside Angel Stadium on AM 830.

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to [email protected] or go to www.boathousetv.com.