Calvert County’s Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla is now at http://www.drumpoint.org

Shameless promotion, because I created the site. Check it out. Southern Maryland’s boating safety website.

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The Baltimore Sun is reporting that, “Maryland has already EXCEEDED last year’s total for boating fatalities.” Marylanders have been extraordinarily careless on the water water resulting in numbers of fatalities almost exceeding the worst year year, 2006. None of the those who died were wearing life jackets.

It is consistent with what I have seen just eight hundred feet from home off the beach near Breezy Point. Last weekend residents witnessed a careless PWC operator with four young children speed through swimming areas. None of the PWC occupants were wearing life jackets.

Maryland, wake up. Be safe on the water please.

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Calvert County Commissioners signed a National Safe Boating Week Proclamation at their Monday morning meeting, May 11, 2009. Present to accept the proclamation were members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Drum Point Flotilla and a member of the regular Coast Guard BM Logan from Station St. Inigoes.

On Friday, May 8, Commissioners Linda Kelly and Susan Shaw went boating on the Patuxent River with members of the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard to see first hand how America’s Volunteer Lifesavers do what they do.

Drum Point Flotilla Commander Dan McConnell accepted the proclamation for the Auxiliary.

All boaters are strongly urged to boat safely this boating season. Read more about National Safe Boating Week. Wear that life jacket please!

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WAVY.COM 13 May 2009 – HAMPTON, Va. – Local marinas and the U.S. Coast Guard are seeing a significant spike in the number of boaters who are heading out on local waterways, and they warn that also means an increase in the potential for disaster.

The full story at WAVY.COM. Boaters on the Chesapeake Bay need to be conscious of all boater safety regulations and the rules of the road. Please don’t become a statistic this boating season. Thanks to @NASBLA on Twitter for  pointing out this story.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 29, 2009 – Having friends and family aboard is what boating is all about. But in an emergency could they quickly locate a fire extinguisher or provide accurate location information to rescuers — without your help?

read more | digg story

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PORTLAND, Ore. — Floating down the river on a raft under the influence of intoxicants turns out to be a violation of state boating laws, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled this morning. The Court said that a raft is covered by the laws regulating boating in the state.

read more | digg story

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West Marine has an excellent advisor article on selecting sunglasses for boating.

There are locations in Solomons, Deale, and Annapolis.

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On the mid-Chesapeake (Annapolis to Cove Point) marine VHF channel 68 156.425 MHz has become a toilet of pornographic filth. Sadly some adults have no personal standards. On Sunday afternoon April 19, I heard some of the filthiest diatribes I have ever heard. Most of what was said beats the garbage mouths one hears on the CB radio.

The VHF marine band exists for three reasons:

!. Safety
2. Navigation
3. Commerce

It does not exist so a mindless jerk aboard a Bayliner imitating the accent of a foreign speaking fisherman can harass others and exchange gay jokes with other mindless fools. Pornographic behavior does not belong on VHF marine. It is time it ended – now would be good.

The general public has very few channels they are allowed to use on marine VHF. Using one of those channels for filth makes no sense. It is a waste of a valuable two-way radio resource. When is it going to end? It is probably a waste of my time to remind the morons that abuse the privilege that their little show is a violation of Federal Communications Commission Rules and Regulations under FCC Part 80. These nutcases have probably never looked at a regulation.

I encourage anyone that knows who these people are to turn them in to the FCC. It is high time someone brought the behavior to the FCC’s attention. It went on last year and has already resumed again at the start of a new season.

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In the last hour and a half this Friday afternoon three vessels have called for radio checks on marine VHF Channel 16. The Coast Guard reminds boaters on the air and in their various boating courses that radio checks are not permitted on channel 16.

Why are radio checks not permitted on Channel 16? Channel 16 is a calling and distress frequency. It is NOT intended for casual radio traffic or for making blind general calls for radio checks. Keeping the radio channel free of superfluous radio traffic is vital to boater safety – your safety. Every person using channel 16 for other than the channel’s intended purpose could potentially interfere with an emergency call for assistance or in other words prevent or delay a call from being heard.

Look at the issue from the point of view of the Coast Guard. Their watchstanders listen to marine radios connected through an array of high antenna sites. The Coast Guard hears far more on these high sites than you ever will on your boat radio. Your radio horizon may be just a little farther than your visual horizon but the Coast Guard’s radio horizon extends four to five times as far. Radio checks in the area of responsibility for Baltimore Sector would quickly jam channel 16 with junk radio traffic on a busy boating weekend.

It still amazes me that inconsiderate boaters still use channel 16 to test their marine radios even after they must have heard the Coast Guard periodically remind violators over the radio. The recommended channel for radio checks is the alternate boater calling frequency, VHF channel 9. The method for making the radio check call is to direct a call to a vessel you can hear and call them asking for a radio check. Should you not hear a vessel on channel 9 you can listen to one of the non-commercial radio channels and call a vessel you hear there. Making a directed call is the preferred method. You should NEVER make a general call to any boater using channel 16.

Please don’t clutter channel 16 with unnecessary radio traffic. Do not make or respond to radio checks on channel 16.

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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

PRESS RELEASE
Date: April 11, 2009
Contact: Anthony Turner
Public Affairs Officer
310-488-0723
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil

http://www.news.auxpa.org/

Don’t be fooled by warmer weather, the water is still cold.

As air temperatures around the country get warmer more and more recreational boaters are taking to the water. The Coast Guard Auxiliary cautions boaters not to be fooled by the warmer air temperatures, the water is still cold.

“Even though the weather is warmer, the water is still extremely cold,” said Anthony Turner, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. “With water temps still very cold hypothermia occurs very quickly.”

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below its normal level of 98.6°F to 95°F or cooler.

Hypothermia is dangerous because it affects the body’s core – the brain, heart, lungs, and other vital organs. Even a mild case of hypothermia affects your physical and mental abilities, and increases the risk of accidents. Severe hypothermia causes loss of consciousness and may result in death. Cold water is especially dangerous because loss of body heat occurs 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary strongly urges the public to wear life jackets anytime while out on the water and to check weather conditions before heading out. Having proper survival gear while underway and filing a float plan (www.floatplancentral.org) with a friends or family member is strongly recommended.

Now is also a good time to take advantage of a free Vessel Safety Check offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the Power Squadron. For more information visit www.safetyseal.net.

For more information about safe boating, please visit: http://www.uscgboating.org/

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America’s Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service’s missions.

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The West Marine Official Blog writes about selecting personal flotation device (life jacket) for use on the water. Everything you ever wanted and needed to know about this life-saving personal accessory. Excellent read.

Visit the West Marine Blog.

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The “Unofficial Coast Guard Blog” has an excellent article on the new 406 MHz EPIRBs required on some vessels. I suggest anyone that carries an EPIRB read this article and make sure they are familiar with how it works, registration requirements and so on.

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(Press Release) BALTIMORE April 5, 2009- The Coast Guard rescued two people and their dog from an aground boat in the Potomac River Sunday.

Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes, Md., deployed a rescue boatcrew at 5 p.m. to a 30-foot sailing vessel that had run aground and was taking on water near St. Clement’s Island.

The rescue crew removed Jeffery Shauberger, his son Jeffery Shauberger Jr., and their pet rottweiler from the boat and transported them to a campground near St. Patrick’s Creek.

The sailboat is lit and anchored on the shoal near St. Clement’s and does not affect navigable waterways.

“Both people, including the dog, were wearing their lifejackets,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon Lee.

The Coast Guard encourages all boaters to wear their lifejackets when on the water.

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United States Coast Guard Press Release March 27, 2009: LOS ANGELES – As the weather in Southern California gets warmer and with the increase in daylight hours more and more recreational boaters are getting out on the water. “Before hitting the water, the Coast Guard urges boaters to make sure they have the required safety equipment and that it is in working order by taking advantage of a free Vessel Safety Check offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary,” said Anthony Turner a spokesman for the Coast Guard in Los Angeles.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary has been conducting free Vessel Safety Checks since 1947. Unaffected by recession or inflation they were free then and still free today.

Vessel Safety Checks are conducted by qualified members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and are the best way of learning about problems that might be a violation of state or federal laws and provide the boating public with additional safety tips that could possibly mitigate or eliminate preventable danger on the water. To find a Vessel Examiner go to www.safetyseal.org. Vessel Safety Checks can be conducted on any type of watercraft from boats, personal watercraft, to kayaks.

Lifejackets, fire extinguishers, and distress signals are just some of the items that are required by federal regulations. The Coast Guard also suggests boaters equip their vessels with a marine VHF radio, GPS device, and 406 MHz EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).

Aside from being prepared for an emergency, another advantage of getting the free Vessel Safety Check from the Coast Guard Auxiliary is that there aren’t any penalties associated with not passing. Those who do pass will be able to display this year’s Vessel Safety Check decal on their boat.

According to Turner, the U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement also conduct their own inspections.

Vessel Safety Check Decal

Now is also a great time to take advantage of one of the many boating safety courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and become acquainted or reacquainted with basic boating skills, seamanship and the most current rules and regulations that may also save a live or prevent and accident.

For more information about boating safety visit the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division website at: www.uscgboating.org/.

To locate a boating education course offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary visit http://www.d11s.org/PDF_files/PEclasses.pdf.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard — Proud History. Powerful Future.

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(Coast Guard Auxiliary Press Release – 032309) – Click and read how not be a “Gilligan” this boating season.

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(coastguardnews.com)–The rescue of two crewmembers from the sunken fishing vessel Della C on Saturday off of Pt Ano Nuevo, Calif, was largely a result of the required safety equipment maintained on board.

read more | digg story

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(Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009) – Today is the day. Satellites are no longer listening for Emergency Locator Transmitters on 121.5 and 243 MHz. This means if you put off purchasing a new 406 MHz EPIRB go purchase one. Activating your old ELT will not produce a search and rescue response. You must have the new 406 MHz EPIRB on your water vessel.

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Each year the Drum Point Flotilla of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary offers complete boating safety classes that meet Coast Guard and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police requirements.  All persons born on or after July 1, 1972, must successfully complete a boating safety course to operate a numbered or documented vessel, including personal watercraft on Maryland’s public waters. (No one under 16 years of age may operate a PWC and no one under 12 may operate a vessel towing persons on water skis etc.)

The course covers boating rules, seamanship, safety, boat types and hulls, piloting, boat engines, marine weather, marine radio operation,  PWC (Personal Water Craft) operation and more. This Coast Guard Auxiliary course is the most comprehensive boating safety course available.  When you complete the course and successfully pass the final examination, you will have earned your U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship Course card as well as your Maryland DNR Certificate of Boating Safety Education.

You must always have the DNR card in your possession when operating any numbered or documented vessel including a PWC!

Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Drum Point Flotilla 23-06 teach each section of the course. The Auxiliary members are well versed in boating safety and in the local area’s marine environment.  Attending this boating safety course is an excellent way to become familiar with the Auxiliary if you are considering membership. You will learn more about the Auxiliary and can then decide if you would like to become one of America’s volunteer life savers as well! Completing this course is one of the first steps toward becoming a Basically Qualified member of the Auxiliary.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Drum Point Flotilla 23-06

The Boating Skills and Seamanship course is held at Calvert High School, 600 Dare’s Beach Road in Prince Frederick, MD. The class begins on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 and runs from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The cost is just $35.00 per student. This price covers the cost of the course manual.

To register ahead of time or to get more information please call Coast Guard Auxiliary member:

Bill Noyes  410-535-0450

or

Ray Feller 301-358-0837

The boating safety courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary are exciting and fun for members of the whole family. A boating-safely family is a happy family!

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(coastguardnews.com)– The Coast Guard is encouraging mariners and aviators to make the switch to digital 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) to keep pace with search and rescue technology. Beginning Feb. 1, 2009, the Coast Guard and other search and rescue personnel will only receive distress alert broadcasts using digita

read more | digg story

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coastguardnews.com)–Los Angeles – With the holiday boat parade season just around the corner the U.S. Coast Guard reminds recreational boaters that in order to carry any passengers for hire a Coast Guard issued license is required. In addition to having a Coast Guard issued license, federal regulations also require each vessel carrying passengers

read more | digg story

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that it submitted to the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking entitled “Vessel Requirements for Notices of Arrival and Departure and Automatic Identification System,” a rule designed to increase navigation safety and raise maritime domain awareness

read more | digg story

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Sailing is a wonderful hobby, but as with any sport it can be dangerous. From novices to the most experienced sailors, it’s vital that you’re safe on the water. With 54% of lifeboat services carried out for pleasure craft, you cannot afford to take risks on the water.

[Excellent article on sailing safety. Click read more to see the entire article.]

read more | digg story

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TheBayNet.com: The Coast Guard is searching for a missing man in the Patuxent River after a boating accident Sunday.

Four people were ejected from a 35-foot cigarette boat after reportedly striking a sand bar in the vicinity of Point Patient. It was was also reported that it was not a sand bar but a wave.

read more | digg story

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I love when i see a dog on a boat, but I do get nervous. what if something happens to that poor little fellow?

(Editor: An excellent article on pet safety around bodies of water. Click read more to see the entire article.)

read more | digg story

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The USCG has recently stated that it now officially recognizes both stand up paddleboards and traditional paddleboards as “vessels”. This means that they are subject to all applicable laws and regulations that go along with being classified as a vessel; such as wearing lifejackets and getting necessary registration.

read more | digg story

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