Maritime Funnies

The marina contract said slip-side parking!

Some days it really helps to seek out the humorous side of life. Here are a few pics that folks have sent me through the years. Please e-mail us your captions for these pics. Have a funny day.

Yacht for sale. Comes complete with dinghy!

The chart says that there's a bridge around here somewhere!

Bill, I think the burger's are done.

Tiltallating!

FOR SALE! This ones going fast.

U.S. Coast Guard maximum capacities. XX weight  XX pesons.

The latest smart design in economical trawlers.

Yachting. Cuba style!

Ralph. They said go to the end of High Street and turn!

Traveling the AICW in style. Or,  For me for my birthday!

Yachting....recession style.

Three Safety Tips to Safely Get You Through the Spring Fishing and Boating Season

 Unusually warm weather here in Portsmouth, Virginia,  may make some
 forget that cold waters still lurk beneath the keel.

In many parts of the country, people are asking when did winter end and spring begin? Anglers and boaters are taking advantage of the  unusually warm weather, but some may be forgetting that cold waters still lurk  beneath the keel. Here's three easy safety tips that will  help you get safely through the spring fishing and boating season.

Refresh your memory: Take a boating safety course now from the comfort of your own home. We recommend the no-cost BoatUS Foundation Online Boating Safety course, which is designed so that you can stop and then continue at any time, includes videos that demonstrate important safety devices such as flares, shows the rules of the road, how to get help in an emergency, and the best way to fit a life jacket to a child so they will not slip out. Go to BoatUS online boat safety course. It may also help you save money on boat insurance and meet your state's requirements for boating safety education.

Don't allow the warm weather to let your guard down: The air temperatures may be downright balmy, but deceptively cold  waters increase the risk of hypothermia even on a "T-shirt" day. Also remember  there are fewer boats out on the water that could come to your aid. Bring extra  layers or change of clothes and rain gear this time of year. Remember, water conducts heat away from your body 25 times faster than air does, so you cool much more rapidly in water!

Plan on how to get back in the boat: If you  accidentally went overboard, do you have a way to get back aboard? You may be  surprised how hard this can be - especially if you are alone or haven't  prepared for it. It could be as simple as having a rope with looped foot holds  affixed to a cleat that can easily be grabbed from the water. The BoatUS  Foundation also tested after-market boarding ladders for small jonboats, RIBs  and larger center console boats. You can view these tests at BoatUS market tests.  A hardcopy of the tests along with a ranking of the best ladders can also be  found at BoatUS.com/foundation/boardingladders.

Have something to share? We'd love to add your comments. Just write in the box below.

Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmer's Market 2012

The weekly market will start again on Saturday April 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is planned to continue until December 22. Seasonal fresh produce; artisan breads, pies, cakes, scones, savory biscuits, brownies, cookies and other baked goods; beef, poultry, eggs, and seafood; jams and jellies, salsas and sauces; plants and flowers; hand-crafted soaps and more. Several farmers specialize in heirloom produce and free-range poultry and eggs, and most products are locally grown/raised without the use of chemicals or hormones. Portsmouth’s Master Gardeners sell potted herbs and are available for free consultation about gardening in the region and special programs and workshops.

FirstEvents Weekends in Olde Towne Portsmouth:

Special events are planned each month to coincide with the Farmers’ Market and Antiques to Flea Market. See the City events site for details. First Friday events include Concerts in the Courtyard at the Courthouse Galleries Museum. Saturday events take place in the Courtyard (next to the farmers’ market), the new Children’s Museum of Virginia, and the Naval Shipyard Museum, all within a short walking distance of free parking.

Also, Olde Towne Portsmouth's Downtown High Street corridor (between the riverfront and Effingham Street) offers a great selection of antique shops, art galleries and unique boutiques for your shopping pleasure and some of the finest restaurants and pubs in Hampton Roads, and many offer patio dining so you can take in the views. There's plenty to do to fill up your day, so shop, dine and experience Hampton Roads best kept secret, Olde Towne Portsmouth

Portmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market offers seasonal fresh produce; artisan breads, pies, cakes, scones, savory biscuits, brownies, cookies and other baked goods; beef, poultry, eggs, and seafood; jams and jellies, salsas and sauces; plants and flowers; hand-crafted soaps and more.

Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers’ Market starts at the northwest corner of High Street and Court Street (opposite the Visual Arts Center) and runs west along High Street and north along Court Street.

There is free parking on the street and in the nearby parking garages at:
441 Middle Street
County Street Parking Garage (300 Country Street)
Crawford Garage (Water Street)

In case of unexpectedly cold weather or rain, the January 21 market will be located here.

Here's the link to the Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market website.