We're All Blue at ActiveCaptain

It's not our mood. It's our new hats! For 2011, recipients of the
much coveted ActiveCaptain hat will notice that their hats are
arriving in a new color. As the web site begins its 5th year, we
thought it was a good time for a change. The new hats are a
jaunty navy color and we think they look pretty nice.

One of our most frequently asked questions is, "Can I buy a hat?"
Well, sorry, but there is only one way to get a hat - you have
to earn it by getting 250 points for adding updates and reviews.
When marinas see that hat, they know you're a review writer and trust
us, it makes them act just a little nicer towards you.

After years of providing hats, we're now being asked a new question,
"Can I replace the hat I previously earned?"

This one made us realize that hats wear out. Or sometimes a spouse
wants one. We've heard stories of hats going overboard, hats left
behind, hats getting ruined from too much use (our favorite), and
other tearjerkers. Until now we've held firm. But who are we to deny?

We're happy to announce that very shortly we will have a way that
Captains with 250+ points can purchase a new hat. So you still need to
earn the status but now you can wear your hat without fear of loss or
destruction. Watch for the link in a future newsletter.

Visit ActiveCaptain's web store at Activecaptain home page.

The Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net and Waterway Guide Band Together to Promote "Fire Relief Fund"

Fire at McCotters Marina, Washington, NC. Photo courtesy of Capt. Aubrey Moore, Washington Yacht and Country Club

 The Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net and Waterway Guide Band Together to Promote "Fire Relief Fund" In Response to Dramatic Fire at McCotters Marina (Washington, NC)Yes, cruising friends, I know you just heard about this from me some 48 hours ago, but today we have news of a unique partnership to help those affected by this tragic event. Please read the joint Waterway Guide - SSECN announcement below.

Waterway Guide and the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net, the two most trusted names. First at McCotters Marina Link to article on Water Guide and the Salty Southeast Cruiser's Net. for Southeastern USA cruising information, have joined forces to help those who lost so much, and gave so much, during the recent, dramatic fire at McCotters Marina in Washington, North Carolina. Those of you who have not yet heard about this tragic event can learn more from the Waterway Guide Discussion Board at: Waterway Guide discussion board

You can also link to this article from the home page of the Cruisers' Net at: Cruiser' Net

There were heroes aplenty in this tragedy, many of them fellow cruisers. A host of live-aboards lost everything they own, and others lost vessels that had undergone years of restoration work. The Red Cross is currently housing some of the affected cruisers at the local Days Inn in Washington, NC, but that offer of lodging will run out soon. With the North Carolina coast in the firm grip of old man winter, these brother and sister cruisers need our help!

Remains of the hulls of multiple boats after the fire.

So, in the spirit of the long standing tradition of cruisers helping cruisers, Waterway Guide and the Cruisers' Net are now jointly sponsoring a "Fire Relief Fund" to aid the 26 boat owners whose vessels were either totally destroyed or heavily damaged, and McCotters Marina, which lost a goodly portion of its dockage. At last report, the entire marina was still considered a "Haz-Mat" area, and no one was being allowed
back aboard their vessels.

Waterway Guide and the Cruisers' Net will jointly collect funds until 2/28/11. At that time, we will distribute all the collected funds equally to the affected boat owners, and a share to McCotters Marina. To get the ball rolling, Waterway Guide and the Cruisers' Net jointly pledge $300.00 to the Fire Relief Fund!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SSECN - WATERWAY GUIDE FIRE RELIEF FUND,
please send a check for any amount, made out to the "SSECN - Waterway Guide Fire Relief Fund," to:SSECN - Waterway Guide Fire Relief Fund
P. O. Box 67
Elon, NC 27244-0067

While checks are easier for us to process, you can also contribute via credit card by calling 336-266-1369. Please have your credit card #, expiration date, security code, and the amount you want to contribute, ready!

Thanks in advance to everyone who decides to help. Our fellow cruisers are counting on us, so don't delay!

Claiborne Young
Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net
CruisingWriter@CruisersNet.net  mailto:CruisingWriter@CruisersNet.net
Cruisers' Net website.

Chuck Baier
Waterway Guide
cbaier@waterwayguide.com  mailto:cbaier@waterwayguide.com
Waterway Guide website:

*Please donate generously. I can speak first hand what it is like to lose everything when our store Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery together with our second floor residence was destroyed by an adjacent church fire. We would not have made it if not for the generous assistance from all of the wonderful people here in Hampton Roads and beyond! Please forward this message to all of your boating friends.