MIKE WHITEHEAD -- The Harbor Column

Ahoy.

I recently received an e-mail from Newport’s Harbor Master -- Capt.

Marty Kasules of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department -- inviting me to

lunch to meet Raynor Tsuneyoshi, the new Director of the California Dept.

of Boating and Waterways.

Marty is an asset to Newport Harbor as he is not only a lawman, but

also a boater who is very knowledgeable about our harbor.

Marty had just finished showing Ray around Newport Harbor, and the two

were already seated when I arrived at the Yankee Tavern. After just a few

moments, I could tell Ray was interested in boating and not just a

governmental appointment. While we were having lunch, as well as a lot of

conversation, Ray was constantly on his cell phone actually trying to

solve statewide issues for his department and boaters.

Whether you are a boater, a waterside homeowner or just enjoy the

marine environment, it is very enlightening to know two public officials

who actually care about their jobs and want to do the best for the

nautical community.

***

Last week, cruising at 20 knots, I delivered a 53-foot motor yacht

from Newport Harbor to a mooring can in Avalon. I finished the trip

before noon.

Starting out from Newport, the seas were mixed and bumpy, only to

flatten out the closer we got to the lee of the island. It’s nice to

finish a delivery before noon and to get back to Newport quickly. Most of

the time I take the 15-minute helicopter flight to Long Beach, but that

day I did not have anyone who could pick me up at the heliport next to

the Queen Mary.

It made me made we wonder why there is not a copter service from

Avalon to John Wayne Airport.

So, I decided to spend time around Avalon and wait to take Bob Black’s

Catalina Flyer back to the Balboa Pavilion that afternoon. I ride a lot

of passenger ferryboats in my travels, but I was very impressed with the

comfort and smooth, fast ride aboard this catamaran. The crew was

friendly, and I sat with a few other delivery captains who had just

finished dropping off other yachts.

***

Before you go boating, whether in the harbor or out to the Pacific, do

you know what navigational aids aren’t working or if a dredging operation

is occurring, or if there are new chart corrections that your GPS will

not be displaying?

Every boater should be aware of the United States Coast Guard’s Local

Notice to Mariners publication that is issued weekly. It contains vital

information with special notices, discrepancies of navigational aids,

chart corrections, general information, light list changes and even

military operations off the coast.

Furthermore, if you are boating in another area of the nation, you can

check that district’s Local Notice to Mariners report so you can be in

the know before you go.

You can get on the mailing list by calling 510-437-2981 or read the

publication online at o7 https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnmf7 . Newport is

in District 11.

Safe Voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him

your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions via e-mail

to o7 Mike@BoathouseTV.comf7 or o7 https://www.BoathouseTV.comf7 .