America’s Waterway Watch- Keeping America's Coasts Safe and Secure

Protecting our homeland and America’s Waterways.

Reposted in part from Skipper Bob

Many of you will soon be making the trek north and cruising through the Norfolk/Portsmouth, Va area while heading for the Chesapeake and points farther north. We thought it prudent to pass on an important reminder for all boaters passing the Naval Shipyard in the Portsmouth/Norfolk/ Hampton Roads vicinity. The Navy has set up a security zone from the Elizabeth River Channel Lighted Gong Buoy 5 to the Elizabeth River Channel Lighted Buoy 11, on the south side of the channel. If you have the most current charts, this area is colored in magenta, not to be confused with the magenta ICW channel. This is an OFF LIMITS AREA and in the words of the U.S. Coast Guard, "Unauthorized vessels entering this RESTRICTED AREA may encounter USE OF FORCE procedures by patrolling security vessels." So please stay clear and keep to the charted channel because we can verify through personal experience that they are not fooling around. The machine guns mounted on their patrol boats further reinforce their resolve. Security can be contacted on VHF channel 14.

We at milemarkerO.blogspot would also like to point out that the security is once again heightened due to the killing of osama bin laden and concerns of the potential threat attack in the Hampton Roads area.
 
The U.S. Coast Guard, which asks the everyday American to be the extra eyes and ears of law enforcement in keeping our waterways safe and secure. Millions of Americans either work on or recreationally use our country’s numerous waterways. As the Coast Guard puts it, a person who spends much of their time on or near the water, already knows what is normal and what is not, and they are well suited to notice suspicious activities, including activities possibly indicating threats to our nation’s homeland security. We are urged to adopt a heightened sense of sensitivity toward unusual events or individuals that may encounter in or around ports, docks, marinas, riversides, beaches, or waterfront communities.

During our nation’s battle on terrorism, it is imperative that all Americans do their small part in assisting to protect our homeland, and America’s Waterway Watch is just one example of how the average person can lend a hand just by keeping their eyes and ears open to any suspicious activities.

In addition to everyday criminal activity, America’s coasts, rivers, bridges, tunnels, ports, ships, military bases, and waterside industries may be the terrorists’ next targets and with more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, more than 290,000 square miles of water and approximately 70 million recreational boats in the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders can’t do the job alone.

That is where a program created by the Coast Guard, known as America’s Waterway Watch, comes into play.
According to the Coast Guard, all Americans should be aware of suspicious activities on and near our waterways.

Possible suspicious activity may include things like:
• People appearing to be engaged in surveillance of any kind, including taking notes, shooting video or photos, making sketches, or asking questions

• Unattended vessels or vehicles in unusual locations

• Lights flashing between boats

• Unusual diving activity

• Unusual number of people onboard

• Unusual night operations

• Recovering or tossing items into/onto the waterway or shoreline

• Operating in or passing through an area that does not typically have such activity

• Fishing or hunting in locations not typically used for those activities

• Missing fencing or lighting near sensitive locations

• Anchoring in an area not typically used for anchorage

• Transfer of people or things between ships or between ship and shore outside of port

• Anyone operating in an aggressive manner

• Individuals establishing businesses or roadside food stands near sensitive locations

• Small planes flying over critical locations

• People attempting to buy or rent fishing or recreational vessels with cash for short-term, undefined use

In addition, the Coast Guard suggests watching for possible suspicious vessels and individuals in locations such as:

 • Under and around bridges, tunnels, or overpasses

• Near commercial areas or services like ports, fuel docks, cruise ships, marinas

• Near industrial facilities like power plants and oil, chemical, or water intake facilities

• Near military bases and vessels, other government facilities, or security zones


The Coast Guard also offers these useful vessel security ideas:

1. Secure and lock your boat when not on board

2. Take the keys of the vessel with you

3. Disable the engine on stored or trailered boats, and make sure the boat is not easily moved

Quick Security Tip: Do not approach or challenge anyone acting in a suspicious manner. To report suspicious activity, call the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 or 877-24WATCH.

For immediate danger to life or property, call 911 right away.

For more information on the America’s Waterway Watch program, log on to the U.S. Coast Guard Web site at http://www.uscg.mil/

A Mother's Day Tradition Continues: The Gosport Arts Festival

The 41st Annual Gosport Arts Festival, May 7th and 8th, 2011

If it's Mother's Day Weekend, we all know it must be time for Gosport Arts Festival.  This year, it's the 41st year for the event - the 11th festival held in Olde Towne Portsmouth.  Plan to attend the event on Saturday, May 7 and and Sunday, May 8, 2011.  The hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Click on this link for the full Gosport Arts Festival article.

The Sky is Not Falling, But Hurricane Season Predicted to be "Active"

Keeping boaters aware of the need to make early preparations for the upcoming hurricane season is a tough job for the nation's boat owners group, BoatUS. That's because we're all human - it only takes of few years after a devastating hurricane before memories start to fade, leading to a little apathy.

With the prediction of an "active" 2011 hurricane season by the renowned Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project just out, BoatUS says the 72% chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall should give boaters the reason to make one early preparation.

"If your hurricane plan is to have your boat hauled and maybe strapped down, talk to your marina staff now about their plans," said BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. "It's the one simple, easy step that could lead to a big outcome - whether or not you still have a boat when the season ends on November 30. I don't want to tell people the 'sky is falling,' but the longer you wait to have that discussion the worse shape you could be in."

"It doesn't take a major hurricane to damage or sink a boat, especially if you choose to do nothing."

Doug Hillman of Sebastian River Marina and Boatyard in Sebastian, Florida, which was recently battered by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, says it simply, "I need my customers to start contacting me now, because I may be too busy to help them later."

The Colorado State team also predicts that there is a 48% chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the US East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula. The University also predicts a 47% chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville, Texas.

Adriance also reminds boaters, "It doesn't take a major hurricane to damage or sink a boat, especially if you choose to do nothing."

To help boaters make preparations, BoatUS has some free online "tools" available at the BoatUS Hurricane Resource Center at www.BoatUS.com/Hurricanes.

ActiveCaptain's Spring Contest

From our friends at ActiveCaptain- The Spring Sponsor Special Contest

 From the beginning we knew ActiveCaptain would be different. Our free guidebook is different - just the difference boaters want. Our Sponsor program is different too.

Many websites use banner ads. We hate banner ads. We've got some new and innovative ideas. Here's the first one. It's a contest.

Starting today thru June 1st we're having a contest for boaters who stay with one of ActiveCaptain's Sponsors and write a review about their experience. To qualify you must also fill out your captain details in My Card, entering your boat name, length, draft, and heights.

Ocean Marine Yacht Center In Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA is a new ActiveCaptain sponsor.

On June 1st, we'll tally up the counts. The 10 captains who stayed at the most Sponsors will get a 100% free, lifetime copy of PolarView for Windows, Macintosh, or Linux. This is a fantastic software chartplotter that works with all NOAA raster and vector charts and can open other vector data from ChartWorld. Even more chart data support is coming for Canadian and European boaters too.

In addition to those 10 PolarView licenses, another 10 copies will be given out at random to boaters who stay at a Sponsor marina and write a review. So even if you'll just be staying at a couple of Sponsor marinas, you'll get a chance at the prizes. The more you use our Sponsors, the greater your chance of winning the software. What's really cool is that PolarView supports all ActiveCaptain data offline rewarding your ActiveCaptain use.

It's all tied together - ActiveCaptain, our Sponsors, our software partners, and you. This is a new way for us all to work together to provide incredible value.

Make sure to let our Sponsors know that you're in it to win it and please thank them for being a Sponsor. Please don't write reviews for previous stays at Sponsor marinas - this is only for stays that happen between now and June 1st.

And as you pass by the non-Sponsor marinas wave your hat and tell them about the contest! If they only knew that just one boat coming in would pay for a year of sponsorship, they'd be getting your business.

More contests are coming. We know this isn't the best time for marina use in upstate New York, the Great Lakes, the West Coast, and Europe. We have other ideas for you guys too. This is just the beginning.

>>> Blazing the trail >>>

Parts of the Atlantic ICW continue to show hazard problems. Thanks to ActiveCaptain captains, we have more hazards with more up-to-date information than the Coast Guard has. And right now some of our most experienced cruisers have started their northward migration. They are documenting their findings, telling you what to expect. This is rough for them because they are blazing the trail - there have even been some groundings due to shoal changes.

If you come across a hazard with a comment older than a month or if the conditions you find are different than what is written, please write your own comment on the hazard. Watch for captain's Pascal and Bob423. Each one of them has over 1,000 points, is quite experienced, and is probably ahead of most snowbirds with recent findings.

>>> Watch for Sponsors >>>

While many ActiveCaptain users are already making an effort to support the Sponsors, you now have an additional reason, our spring contest. Here are a few of the Sponsors at the southern end of the northern migration of snowbirds.

Gulfport Municipal Marina welcomes Loopers and Snowbirds with their
friendly staff: https://activecaptain.com/X.php?lat=27.740450&lon=-82.695229&t=n&z=14

America Marine and Fuel in Naples offers volume and transient
discounts on their fuel: https://activecaptain.com/X.php?lat=26.137534&lon=-81.790477&t=n&z=14

What a great place Fort Myers is with two 1st Choice marinas - The City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin and Legacy Harbour Marina: https://activecaptain.com/X.php?lat=26.646230&lon=-81.871103&t=n&z=15

If you'll be heading to the Bahamas, look for Harbour Island Club and Marina:
https://activecaptain.com/X.php?lat=25.490544&lon=-76.637535&t=h&z=13

Remember to write a review of your stay to qualify for the free PolarView navigation software. And don't forget to thank them for supporting ActiveCaptain.

>>> Importing Routes: Nobeltec >>>

In upcoming newsletters, we're going to start a series about getting routes out of different software and hardware chartplotters and converting it to GPX format for use with ActiveCaptain.

We've received more requests about Nobeltec software than anything else so far so we'll start there.

Nobeltec is a Windows chartplotter with a very large following of users. There are many different versions of the software which makes it difficult to provide a specific set of instructions.

Starting with VNS 11, there is direct support for GPX import and export. All you need to do in that version is select the routes you want to transfer, and export them in GPX format.

For earlier versions, Nobeltec has their own export format called Open Navigation Format (ONF). All earlier versions support this archive format. All you have to do is export the routes you want to save in ONF format. It will create a file with an .ONF file extension.

GPSBabel won't read ONF files. This is where most Nobeltec users have gotten stuck. In the case of Nobeltec, get the other free utility called GPSU: http://www.gpsu.co.uk/

It's free and will directly read ONF files and convert them to GPX. The GPX file output from GPSU can be directly imported into ActiveCaptain's My Card routes database. We've done many route transfers already.

So Nobeltec users: archive your routes - keep them safe and available for use with other software. Let's get a bunch of your routes into ActiveCaptain. The route sharing we're implementing isn't just between users. It's also between your own devices and software. But you have to convert them to GPX and import them into ActiveCaptain.

The Charleston weather has turned warm. Heck, it's been downright sweltering by Maine standards. But everything is blooming and there are too many activities to count including the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. We've been hearing the booms of the reenactment at Fort Sumter. So for now these Yankees are lying low. But we still manage to sneak out each morning to the dog park. You can follow Dyna and Dylan on their blog:
http://www.takingpaws.com/

Karen and Jeffrey Siegel
aCappella
Castine, Maine

2nd Annual Boat & Nautical Yard Sale Returns April 16th at Ocean Marine

Here is your opportunity to sell, swap, barter or buy and visit with boating friends.

Ocean Marine Yacht Center will hold its 2nd Annual Elizabeth River Boat & Nautical Yard Sale and Flea Market on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The event will take place in the Ocean Marine parking lot on Wavy Street, south of the nTelos Wireless Pavilion at Harbor Center in downtown Portsmouth. It will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Got Nautical Stuff? Interested vendors should clean out their vessels and/or storage lockers for items like marine equipment, dive gear, marine products, clothing, electronics, antiques, fishing gear, nautical arts and crafts, boats on trailers, etc. In other words, if it's nautical, bring it!

Vendors will not be charged a fee; admission is free for all. Vendors should bring their own tables and/or tents.

To sign up, call Ocean Marine Yacht Center at 757-321-7432.

We recommend that you show up early because with most flea markets and yard sales, the best stuff will be leaving early. This is a great oopportunity to visit with your boating friends.

About Ocean Marine Yacht Center

Ocean Marine's prime location is just one half mile south of Mile Marker Zero on the Intracoastal Waterway, and its unrestricted access from sea. They are located on the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The Marina at Ocean Marine Yacht Center.

The Marina at Ocean Marine Yacht Center consists of 122 all-floating slips accommodating boats to 65' as well as 1500' of alongside dockage for larger (mega) yachts. All slips have water, telephone and cable television, and electricity hook-ups. Wireless Internet Service and a Courtesy Car are also available. Restrooms, showers, laundry room and ships' store are located in the Dockmaster Building.

A certified 'Green Marina', Ocean Marine Yacht Center was built to meet and exceed the stringent requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Upon check in, you will receive a welcome package containing information about local shops, restaurants, pubs, museums and scheduled events on the downtown waterfront, all within walking distance of Ocean Marine Yacht Center.

Ocean Marine is more than just a marina. It's the most modern, state-of-the-art yacht repair facility on the East Coast of the United States. The facility provides refit and repair, dockage and storage to yachts of all sizes.

"Ocean Marine's biggest business its its megayacht repair facility, which is an environmental caretaker" - Marina Dock Age magazine.

The mega yacht repair facility is second to none, boasting a 1,250-ton Syncrolift capable of hauling yachts to 235' via a ground level rail transfer system to an impressive paint/repair building capable of housing two megayachts simultaneously. Both bays of the indoor paint repair facility offer a cascading water wall washdown system, smooth paneled walls, overhead and recessed surround lighting, pressurized ventilation system, and heated floors for year round operation. In addition, Ocean Marine has unrestricted access from sea and offers 1500' of alongside dockage. The Refit Projects link lists some of the most beautiful privately owned megayachts that have called to Ocean Marine Yacht Center since its inception in April of 2002.

At Ocean Marine, their technicians are qualified to repair engines, transmissions, air conditioning, refrigeration, steering and hydraulic systems. The skilled and well-seasoned yard crew handles fiberglass and gelcoat repair, bottom paint, stabilizer, propeller, shaft and strut repairs. In addition, Ocean Marine features an 80-ton Travelift, a complete parts department and engine showroom.

Ocean Marine Yacht Center, One Crawford Court, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704. 757.321.7432.



Why Do So Many Boats Sink in the Spring?

BoatUS Spring Commissioning Checklist

 

 It's a sad fact: Every spring, shortly after being launched and commissioned for the season, boats sink while safely tied up at the dock, turning what should be a good time of the year into a real mess.

BoatUS' Seaworthy magazine, a publication that helps BoatUS members avoid accidents or injuries, has identified the top five reasons for springtime sinkings, and has a free Spring Commissioning Checklist to help boaters start the season right.

The Top Five Reasons Why Boats Sink in the Springtime:

 

 

This is one good reason why boaters need to inspect stainless hose clamps every spring.

 1. Missing or damaged hose clamps: These clamps are often removed in the fall to winterize the engine, and then forgotten about in the spring when the boat is launched. Tight spaces in engine compartments make it difficult to see some unsecured or deteriorated clamps.
 2. Unsecured engine hoses: Over the winter, freezing water can lift hoses off seacocks (valves).
 3. Spring rains: Combine heavy rains with leaking ports, deck hatches, cracked or improperly caulked fittings, chain plates and even scuppers clogged by leaves and your boat could be on the bottom soon.
 4. Broken sea strainer: Glass, plastic and even bronze strainer bowls can be cracked or bent over in the winter if not properly winterized, allowing to water trickle in when the seawater intake seacock is in the open position.
 5. Leaking stuffing box: If equipped, a steady drip from an improperly adjusted stuffing box (the "packing" around the prop shaft) has been known to swamp a boat.  

The BoatU.S. Spring Commissioning Checklist:

Before You Launch:

   1. Hose clamps should be inspected and replaced as necessary. Double clamping hose connections with marine-rated stainless hose clamps, or keeping seacocks closed when you are away, are wise moves.
   2. Inspect cooling hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and cracking. Make sure they fit snugly.
   3. Replace deteriorated sacrificial anodes.
   4. Inspect prop(s) for dings, pitting and distortion. Make sure cotter pins are secure. Grip the prop and try moving the shaft - if it's loose, the cutlass bearing (on inboard drive systems) may need to be replaced.
   5. Check to make sure the rudderstock hasn't been bent.
   6. Inspect the hull for blisters, distortions and stress cracks.
   7. Make sure your engine intake sea strainer is not cracked or bent from ice, is free of corrosion, clean and properly secured.
   8. With inboards, check the engine shaft and rudder stuffing boxes for looseness. A stuffing box should only leak when the prop shaft is turning, and needs to be inspected routinely.
   9. Inspect and lubricate seacocks.
  10. Use a garden hose to check for deck leaks at ports and hatches. Renew caulk or gaskets, as necessary.
  11. If equipped, ensure that the stern drain plug is installed.
  12. After the boat is launched, be sure to check all through-hulls for leaks.

Engine Outdrives and Outboards:

   1. Inspect rubber outdrive bellows for cracked, dried and/or deteriorated spots (look especially in the folds), and replace if suspect.
   2. Check power steering and power trim oil levels.
   3. Replace anodes that are more than half worn away.
   4. Inspect outer jacket of control cables. Cracks or swelling indicate corrosion and mean that the cable must be replaced.

Engines and Fuel Systems:

   1. Inspect fuel lines, including fill and vent hoses, for softness, brittleness or cracking. Check all joints for leaks and make sure all lines are well supported with non-combustible clips or straps with smooth edges.
   2. Inspect fuel tanks, fuel pumps and filters for leaks. Clamps should be snug and free of rust.  Clean or replace fuel filters. Owners of gasoline-powered boats with fiberglass fuel tanks should consult a marine professional to inspect for any ethanol-related issues.
   3. Every few years, remove and inspect exhaust manifold for corrosion.
   4. Clean and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables. Wire-brush battery terminals and fill cells with distilled water (if applicable).
   5. Inspect bilge blower hose for leaks.

Sailboat Rigging:

   1. Inspect swage fittings for cracks and heavy rust (some discoloration is acceptable).  Inspect wire halyards and running backstays for "fishhooks" and rust.
   2. Remove tape on turnbuckles and lubricate threads, preferably with Teflon. Replace old tape with fresh tape.
   3. If you suspect the core around the chainplate is damp, remove the chainplate to inspect and make repairs.

Trailers:

   1. Inspect tire treads and sidewalls for cracks or lack of tread and replace as necessary.  Check air pressure - don't forget the spare.
   2. Inspect wheel bearings and repack as necessary.
   3. Test tail lights, back-up lights and winch to make sure they're working properly. Inspect hitch chains.
   4. Inspect trailer frame for rust. Sand and paint to prevent further deterioration.
   5. Inspect brakes and brake fluid reservoir.

Miscellaneous:

   1. Check expiration dates on flares and fire extinguishers.
   2. Check stove and remote tanks for loose fittings and leaking hoses.
   3. Inspect bilge pump and float switch to make sure they're working properly.
   4. Inspect dock and anchor lines for chafing.
   5. Check shore power cable connections for burns, which indicates the cable and/or the shore power inlet must be replaced.
   6. Make sure your boating license and/or registration is up to date.  Don't forget your trailer tags.
   7. Review your boat insurance policy and update coverage if needed.
   8. Make sure you have properly sized and wearable life jackets in good condition for each passenger, including kids.  Check inflatable life jacket cylinders.
   9. Test smoke, carbon monoxide, fume and bilge alarms.
  10. Be sure to get a free vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or US Power Squadrons. Find out more at www.SafetySeal.net.

About BoatUS:
BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money-saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628. 

Boater's Spring Commissioning Tips for Saving Gas

BoatUS has six tips on spring commissioning that can be done now to save you money on gas all summer long:

Do it Now or Pay Later

With gas prices forecast to remain higher than last summer, BoatUS has six tips on spring commissioning that can be done now to save you money on gas all summer long:

Lighten the load is one of easiest no-cost things to save on gas. Clear out all of that junk that's been stored aboard the boat over winter.

Get a tune-up: An annual tune-up is a must if you're truly serious about saving gas.

Check the prop: Props with little dings should be taken to a repair shop now. This is also the time to ensure you are happy with your prop's performance - have a discussion with your marina or local prop shop to ensure you still have the right prop installed based on your current boating needs.

Paint the bottom: For boats docked in salt or brackish water, keeping the fuel-robbing "green gunk" growth from adhering to your boat's hull can save a lot of fuel. But you'll need to ensure the vessel has a new coat of bottom paint put on, making it difficult for anything to grow on the hull bottom.

Check the trim tabs: Unbalanced boats chew up the gas. During spring commissioning, ensure that trim tabs function properly. Check the reservoir for leaks.

Join BoatUS for only $24 to take advantage of the fuel discount at over 300 BoatUS Cooperating Marinas across the country. All you have to do is find a marina near you by visiting the online BoatUS Member Services Locator (select the "Cooperating Marinas" box in the upper left). The discount can be as much as $.10 off each gallon. For more information on this exclusive BoatUS member discount, go to http://www.boatus.com/discountcenter.