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You wouldn’t allow your children to drive unless they knew the meaning of all road signs and signals. How about you? Do you know the boating rules of the road. Do you really know the rules. Can you navigate safely? Learn the boating rules.
Archive for August 2010
August 30, 2010 | 
Author You can watch the progress of Hurricane Earl at the NOAA Hurricane Center. NOAA has projected storm track maps. These tracks can change frequently. Storms coming across the United States from the West may or may have an impact on the track.
Visit Ready.gov for information on preparing your family for a weather emergency. Read the article below this one regarding maritime preparations as advised by the Coast Guard.
Have AM and FM broadcast radios available to listen for the latest storm news should your home lose power.
Plan ahead.
Posted in Weather | 
Tags: broadcast radios, Coast Guard, Hurricane, hurricane earl, noaa hurricane center, Storm, storm track maps, Weather | 
Comments Closed
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is urging mariners to heed warnings as Hurricane Earl is expected to affect the mid-Atlantic region between North Carolina and New Jersey Thursday and Friday.
As Earl approaches, the Coast Guard urges people to be mindful of the following safety messages:
- Anticipate bridge closures. Mariners are advised that during strong storms drawbridges along the coast may deviate from the normal operating procedures. Drawbridges are authorized to remain closed upon the approach of gale force winds or higher as stated in the Code of Federal Regulations 117.35, which applies to “natural disasters or civil disorders.” Mariners should anticipate bridge closures by listening to the National Weather Service and Coast Guard broadcasts on the storm conditions.
For a list of bridge closures in Sector Hampton Roads please view the Sector Hampton Roads Marine Safety Information Bulletin 10/014.
- Stay off the water. The Coast Guard’s search and rescue capabilities are degraded as storm conditions strengthen. This means help could be delayed. Boaters are urged to heed to weather watches, warnings and small craft advisories. People should not go out on their boats 48 hours prior to and at least 72-96 hours after a hurricane has passed through an area.
- Evacuate as necessary. If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public is urged to heed to these evacuation orders. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate those in danger during the storm.
- Secure your belongings. Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to secure life rings, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not secured properly, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources to be diverted to ensure they are not actually people in distress.
- Be cautious of hazardous materials. If you have hazardous materials on or near the water you are responsible for any spills that may occur. Take the necessary precautions to secure them prior to any foul weather.
- Stay clear of beaches. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by Earl. Swimmers are urged to stay clear of beaches until local officials say the water is safe.
- Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of Earl through local television, radio and internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF channel 16.
- For more information on the progress of Earl and hurricane preparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at the following link – http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
For more information regarding port status in your area, use the following contact information:
Hampton Roads – 757-668-5555
Baltimore – 410-576-2521
North Carolina – 252-247-4570
Philadelphia – 215-271-4960
###
Posted in Weather | Tags: bridge closures, Coast Guard, code of federal regulations, craft advisories, evacuation orders, gale force wind, hurricane earl, mandatory evacuations, marine safety, mid atlantic region, moorings, national weather service, natural disasters, Preparedness, Public Affairs, Rescue, rescue capabilities, safety information bulletin, small craft, Storm, trailerable boats, watches warnings, Weather | Comments Closed
# Online Tax Guide for Boat Buyers
Suppose you’re thinking about buying a new boat at an out-of-state boat show or marine dealership. Do you know what the tax rate will be on your dream boat, whether you will need to pay additional tax in your home state, and how many days there are in the registration grace period? BoatU.S. has compiled an online State Boating Tax and Registration Guide here. Clicking on any state will bring up details about sales and “use” taxes, credits that might be given for a boat purchased in a different state, registration grace periods, state decal requirements, and title information. Online links and phone numbers for state boating registration and tax departments are also provided. Auxiliarists who have the option of shopping for a boat in several states might be able to cut their costs significantly by referring to this Guide before getting into boating or trading up.[Posted: Aug 26, 2010. Source: Bruce White, BC-BLB]
# The RBS Affairs Site Has Moved
The Recreational Boating Safety RBS Affairs Department web site is now on a new server, with a new address: bdept.cgaux.org. For now, visitors entering the old “auxbdept.org” address into their browsers or following old links will be redirected to the new site automatically. This automatic redirection will end eventually, so please update all links to the RBS Affairs site. Thank you.[Posted: Aug 25, 2010. Source: Alan Dove, BC-BRI]
# New Boating Safety Alert Service
The Recreational Boating Safety RBS Affairs Department is pleased to announce that a new boating safety alert service has been launched. RBS-News provides information about boating safety tips, best practice ideas, and important announcements about boating safety. To subscribe to the RBS-News alert service, simply click here and fill in the section labeled “Subscribing to RBS-News”.[Posted: Aug 25, 2010. Source: Bruce Johnson, DIR-B]
via USCGAUX WHAT’S NEW – United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Posted in Coast Guard | Tags: aircrew, Coast Guard, coast guard air, coast guard rescue swimmers, deadliest hurricanes, Helicopter, helicopter pilot, Hurricane, imminent danger, Public Affairs, Rescue, response operations, southeast louisiana | Comments Closed
Posted in Public Affairs | Tags: chesapeake bay, chesapeake bay foundation, Coast Guard, oyster, oyster beds, Public Affairs | Comments Closed
An Ocean City, Md., man has been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, Maryland Natural Resources police NRP said.
The story can be read at the Washington Post Now breaking news blog:
via Post Now – Md. man arrested for drunk boating.
(Don’t drink and drive your boat. You will be caught and will go to jail.)
Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas in Southern Maryland needs volunteers to assist the Coast Guard in various missions, including boating safety education, search and rescue and support activities. http://www.drumpoint.org, http://www.cgaux.org.
via Southern Maryland volunteer opportunities.
(The Drum Point Flotilla thanks the Washington Post for including us in their Volunteer Opportunities column!)
Broken links on this site were fixed this evening. Most were to the Coast Guard Navigation Center that under went a site redesign.
Please let us know when you find a broken link and we will endeavor to correct it right away.
FSO-CS
Vibrio species are natural inhabitants of sea water. Noncholera Vibrio infections are classified into two
Vibrio bacteria
groups: those that require salt water for growth, and those that do not. The prevalence of noncholera Vibrio infections in the United States have increased in recent years. The combination of increased water temperature and salinity where shellfish are harvested may contribute to the increased contamination rates of shellfish.
Most Vibrio infections are associated with the consumption of contaminated shellfish; however, Vibrio can also cause severe skin infections in an open area of skin exposed to warm salt water.
All Vibrio species are reportable in Maryland. In calendar year 2009, Maryland reported 31 cases and Calvert reported one case. As of August 9, 2010, Maryland has reported 24 cases and Calvert reported four cases. Three of the four cases were diagnosed as Vibrio wound infections, (two Vibrio Parahaemolyticus, one Vibrio Fluvialis) and one by consumption, (Vibrio Parahaemolyticus).
Since Vibrio species are normally found in the Chesapeake Bay and rivers, it is important not to swim if you have an open skin wound. All open skin areas should be evaluated by a health care provider if showing signs and symptoms of infection such as: redness, soreness, swelling or drainage. Also, to avoid becoming ill by consuming a vibrio species, you should only eat cooked shellfish.
Posted in Public Safety | Tags: bacteria, calvert county health department, chesapeake bay, contamination, shellfish, vibrio fluvialis, warm salt water, water temperature, wound infections | Comments Closed
The Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons also inspect kayaks and other paddle craft.
Boat Safe. Boat Smart. Get the Decal!
“You wouldn’t allow your kids to sit on the hood of your car, so why would you allow them to sit on the bow of your boat?”
Rear Admiral Dean Lee, 5th District commander, United States Coast Guard
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The Division 23 Chesapeake Chatter is available at the Division 23 website.
The Blinker Newsletter is available at the Fabulous 5th Southern Website.
The weekly CGUAX Newsletter is available at SITREP.
THE RBS Department's newsletter WAVES - Watercraft and Vessel Safety is available at the RBS website.
The CGAUXA eBeacon Magazine.
UPTOP in Operations Newsletter
