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Your marine VHF radio is the BEST way to contact the Coast Guard in the event of an emergency. While it is nice to have a cellular telephone in some cases the marine VHF radio is the preferred and best way to contact the Coast Guard when your vessel is in distress.
January 19, 2012 | 
Author The Chesapeake Bay Conservancy offers a FREE application for the iPhone or iPod Touch that reads data from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System or CBIBS. The buoys collect and make available real-time weather and water data. CBIBS buoys are located in and around Southern Maryland including Thomas Point, Gooses Reef, Patapsco, Potomac, and Upper Potomac. Other buoys are located at Jamestown, Norfolk, Stingray Point and Susquehanna.
Weather data includes air pressure, temperature, relative humidity, wind direction, speed, and gust speed. There are water quality indicators helpful for fishermen and crabbers, that also include current direction and speed. You can get an accurate indication of wind chill and the freezing point of the water, wave height maximums and means, periods or spreads.
You should always check the weather before you leave your harbor. Having this app handy, as well as your NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, is another tool in your safety kit. Go to the iTunes App Store and search for the app “Smart Buoys.” -
Posted in Weather | 
Tags: Â CBIBS, Apple iPod Touch Portable Audio Device, buoys, chesapeake bay, Chesapeake Bay Conservancy, Gooses Reef, iphone, ipod touch, iTunes App Store, NOAA, NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, patapsco, Potomac, pressure, relative humidity, safety, safety kit, southern maryland, Technology_Internet, temperature, thomas point, upper potomac, water data, water quality indicators, wave, Weather, weather data, weather radio | 
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A local resident found the body of Tyler Cordrey, 25, of Eden, Md.,on the beach near the Chesapeake Harbour Marina around 8 a.m., says Tammy Atkins, a spokeswoman for the Chesapeake Harbour Community Association.
WTOP.COM has the ENTIRE story: Police identify body washed up on Annapolis beach Monday – WTOP.com.
Posted in Fatal Accident | Tags: annapolis, beach, chesapeake harbour, Chesapeake Harbour Marina, eden md, police, Tyler Cordrey, WTOP | No Comments »
First District Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
News Release
Date: January 12, 2012
Contact: First District Public Affairs
(617) 223-8515
(*Note: Maryland is in Coast Guard District 5, however we also have increased interest in paddling and in 2011 Maryland had the highest number of boating fatalities since 1992. This information is timely and relevant.)
1st District 2011 Boating Fatalities Statistics
BOSTON — Recreational boating and paddling fatalities on waters of the northeastern U.S. have remained nearly the same for the second year in a row.
The 1st Coast Guard District recorded a preliminary total of 51 deaths during 2011. There were 50 fatalities in 2009 and 51 fatalities in 2010. Capsizing or falling overboard while not wearing a life jacket were the main factors resulting in fatalities.
Boating fatalities were divided between 29 deaths on motorized vessels and 22 deaths on non-motorized vessels.
Due to the tremendous growth in kayaking over the past decade, and the long-standing interest in canoeing, northeastern paddle-sport fatalities are typically double the national average.
Out of the 51 deaths last year, 44 of the boaters were not wearing lifejackets.
“Lifejackets save lives”, said Walt Taylor, recreational boating safety specialist, 1st Coast Guard District “Take a boating education course, ensure you have all the required safety equipment to have a safe and fun boating season next year.”
One memorable case in 2011 involved the death of N.Y. Police Department officer Patrick Luca who drowned while kayaking with his son off Long Island (Click here for original release). The high-profile nature of the case captured public interest and emphasized the significance of simple decisions, like wearing a life jacket.
“It’s extremely important to get these statistics out,” said Lt. Joe Klinker, 1st Coast Guard District public affairs officer. “But it’s even more important for all of us to realize that these aren’t just numbers. They were friends, parents, spouses, sons and daughters. They were neighbors in a very close maritime community.”
While the Coast Guard continues to deliver the message of safe boating, this year, said Klinker, the Coast Guard is making a special plea to the friends and families of all boaters: Hold your loved ones accountable and make sure they take the right steps to come home safe.
RESOURCES:
For a geographic breakdown and overall numbers of incidents and fatalities in 2011, click here.
For boating safety information, click here.
As the Coast Guard records the national statistics for 2011, the 2010 information is available here.
Safe-boating courses are available through the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons. Course information may be found at:
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
U.S. Power Squadrons
U.S. Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
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Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard — Proud History. Powerful Future.
Posted in Coast Guard | Tags: boating fatalities, boating season, Canoe, Canoeing, coast guard auxiliary, Kayak, Kayaking, Life Jacket, lifejacket, Maryland, Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, recreational boating safety, safety equipment, Statistics, U.S. Power Squadron, United States Coast Guard | No Comments »
Annapolis, Md. (December 7, 2011) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services will host three Clean Marina workshops for marina and boatyard operators in January 2012. DNR encourages all marine facilities, including certified Clean Marinas, to attend this free event.
“Participants will learn how to; comply with regulation changes and the new General Discharge Permit, become a certified Clean Marina and successfully apply for pumpout grants,” said Donna Morrow, program chief of boating services. “Vendors of industrial wash water treatment systems will also be on-hand to share product information.”
DNR will provide complimentary copies of the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook, Award Checklists, pumpout grant applications and educational materials for boaters at the workshops. The Guidebook outlines best management practices in areas such as vessel maintenance, fuel handling, sewage handling and stormwater management.
Facilities of any size can be certified as a Clean Marina, including community associations and yacht clubs. In addition to helping reduce pollution and protect waterways, Clean Marinas often enjoy discounted insurance rates, reduced clean up costs and improved relations within their community. Clean Marinas undergo a site visit to verify Award criteria and are then re-certified every three years. There are currently 144 certified Clean Marinas in Maryland, equating to approximately 24 percent of all marinas in the State. To view the list, visit dnr.state.md.us/boating/cleanmarina/cleanmarinas.asp.
Choose a Workshop:
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- January 11: Marshy Point Nature Center, Baltimore County
- January 24: Hyatt River Marsh Hotel, Cambridge
- January 26: Annapolis Recreation Center, Annapolis
The Department requests advanced registration, as space is limited. To register: email [email protected], include “Clean Marina Workshop” in the subject line, indicate which workshop you wish to attend, and provide the names of the attendees. Workshops are contingent upon at least six facilities pre-registering.
For more information visit dnr.state.md.us/boating/cleanmarina/ or contact Donna Morrow at [email protected] or 410-260-8773.
| December 7, 2011 |
Contact: Josh Davidsburg |
On Jan. 7, 1982, Cain was launched to respond to a distress call from the Pan Am, a 74-foot fishing boat that was taking on water off Maui and was in danger of sinking.
It was 4 a.m. when the helicopter lifted off from Air Station Barbers Point in torrential rains and heavy winds.
By 5:15 a.m., the Coast Guard had lost radio contact with the crew. Almost nine hours later, another helicopter discovered the helicopter’s wreckage on a steep ridge in Molokai’s Wailua Valley.
Read about Lt. Cain: Remembering LT Colleen Cain 30 years later « Coast Guard Compass.
Posted in Guardians | Tags: Air Station, Compass, distress call, Helicopter, molokai, torrential rains, wreckage | No Comments »
There are hundreds of things that you can do to make boating safer, and even the simple things can make the difference between keeping your loved ones safe or disaster. From learning how to file a float plan, to ensuring your boat is properly equipped, there are some great resolutions for all who take to the water.
Make a resolution that will keep you safer on the water, and be sure to keep it all year long!
Read all twelve of the resolutions at the Coast Guard Compass: 12 New Year’s resolutions for 2012 « Coast Guard Compass.
As the new year begins, many of us will make resolutions for 2012. “Leading a healthier lifestyle” tops a lot of people’s list, but what about becoming active and productive in your community by joining the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary? From participating in safety patrols to vessel safety checks, there’s something for everyone looking to get involved.
Coast Guard Auxiliary blog: New Year – New Excitement « Coast Guard Auxiliary Live.
An observation made by the Editor of DrumPoint.org Doug Smith.
On the afternoon of New Year’s Eve my wife and I were near the boardwalk at Solomons Island having lunch. As we looked out over the Patuxent River we saw a rowboat in the distance proceeding toward us from the East about a hundred feet off shore.
As the rowboat came closer we saw that it was occupied by an older (fifty-ish) heavy set adult with a baseball cap. Keep in mind that the river temperatures are in the fifty degree range more or less and there was a breeze giving the river a little chop.
The rower was NOT WEARING a life jacket and we could not see one in his paddle craft as he passed. Neither my wife or I could imagine what this man was thinking when he went rowing so unprepared for an emergency. Had this man spilled himself into the river he stood a good chance of missing the New Year entirely. He could have died.
The boating-safety message and especially the weather-safety message is being lost on too many folks. As a boating-safety instructor, I find it most frustrating that people apparently choose to abandon all common sense and takes risks that put their own life at stake. And then of course, I have to sit there and watch as he does it.
I just hope that every boater in Maryland reads all of the news reports about our horrendous 2011 fatality record, the worst since 1992, and that each boater takes steps not to become a death statistic in 2012.
This year when you see family or friends taking unacceptable risks on the water say something to them. The Coast Guard and the Maryland Natural Resources Police are paying very close attention as well. Boating-Safety instructors are REALLY driving home the message this year. The boat-safely message might hit home a little harder if family or friends kept after the family super hero that thinks he or she is immortal.
Boating will take your life if you let it.
Twenty-five people, ranging in age from 14 to 81, have been killed this year in (Maryland) boating accidents. The victims were sailors and watermen, sportsmen and pleasure boaters. Only one — the youngest — was female.
via Maryland boating deaths: State records 25 fatalities in 2011 – baltimoresun.com.
First, attract as much attention as possible as fast as you can. I never go on a boat without a life jacket, knife, flashlight and whistle. The life jacket is first and foremost. The light and the whistle are to attract attention.
Auxiliarist Vincent Pica writes via The Coast Guard Auxiliary blog. Read the entire article here: Man Overboard! « Coast Guard Auxiliary Live.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons also inspect kayaks and other paddle craft.
Boat Safe. Boat Smart. Get the Decal!
Three Maryland boating deaths in 2012. Three sailboat emergencies, 1 death; 1 swimmer death; 1 allision death with two trauma injuries; 1 major injury from gasoline engine fire,
Lifejackets are comfortable and they save lives!
“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
