The Harbor Column -- Mike Whitehead

Mike Whitehead

California is ranked the second largest recreational boating state in

America with Florida ranking No. 1, and Newport Harbor is said to be the

largest recreational harbor in the U.S., if not the world.

However, California ranks first in boating fatalities and second in

boating accidents for the year 2000, as reported in the 2000 California

Boating Safety Report prepared by the California Department of Boating

and Waterways. It is known that many boating accidents are never reported

to the appropriate agency so the empirical data is actually on the

conservative side of the spectrum.

A sad fact is that almost half of all fatalities (49%) occurred while

fishing, and that operator inexperience was the most common cause of

boating accidents (42%). Personal Watercrafts (PWC) still appear to be a

problem, resulting in 32% of all accidents that account for 45% of

injuries and 12% of fatalities. However, personal watercrafts account for

only 19% of all registered vessels. It is apparent and documented that

more than two-thirds of accidents involving the watercrafts were caused

by someone who was not the vessel’s owner. It makes me think that a

rental watercraft or someone loaning a watercraft to an inexperienced

friend contributed to this high of a statistic.

As of Dec. 31, California had 904,843 registered vessels boating on

1,356,780 acres of water. After analyzing the report’s accidents, between

May and August had the greatest amount of accidents. Not too surprising,

the month of July recorded the highest number accidents. Of course the

weekends are the busiest on the waterways, contributing for more

accidents than all weekdays combined. Between the hours of 2 to 4 p.m. is

the riskiest time to be on the water with the highest number of accidents

and between the hours of noon to 6 p.m., the majority of accidents occur

on the waterways.

In the past, you had to report a boating accident if the damage

exceeded $500, someone required medical aid, or someone died, and most is

the same now except the damage value has been changed to greater than

$2,000.

Be safe out there; be attentive while in command of any vessel keeping

the safety of you and your guests as the top priority. Two sayings I use

in my boating classes is that speed kills, so slow down when in doubt,

and even if you think you have the right-of-way, do not be dead right.

***

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) has two notices

for our area. The first is that Newport Bay channel light No. 10 is

leaning and has reduced intensity. Channel light/marker No. 10 is off the

upper end of Balboa Reach positioned near Balboa Island’s point before

the bend toward the auto ferries. The second notice and a very important

notice for all boaters is that the Coast Guard has established temporary

safety and security regulations for all Navy vessels in all navigable

waters of the United States. The Naval Vessel Protection Zones has been

established within 500 yards of all vessels under operational control of

the Navy, and no vessel is allowed within 100 yards of a naval vessel

unless specific permission has been granted. All other vessels within the

500-yard zone must operate at a speed necessary to maintain a proper and

safe course, and proceed as directed by an official patrol. Vessels

requesting passing information are to contact the official patrol on VHF

marine band channel 16. Keep in mind that any violations in these zones

can be a felony. My advice is to be safe and maintain at least 1,000

yards or more of your closest point of approach. You can read the notices

online at o7 https://www.navcen.uscg.milf7 and we are in Coast Guard

district 11.

***

Tip for the week: Check you anchoring gear. Is your anchor secured in

place, yet ready to deploy? Is your anchor rode clean and ready to

unravel as the anchor is released? Is the anchor windlasses functional

and do you know how to operate it whether it’s manual, electric, or

hydraulic? The anchor is important not just for setting the hook and

spending the night, but for an emergency should your vessel’s engine(s)

fail and you are drifting to shore. In this situation, drop your anchor

to stop the drifting even in the harbor, and don your life jackets while

you are waiting for a tow. In closing, make certain that the end of the

anchor rode is securely fastened to the boat, usually in the anchor

locker.

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 .