MIKE WHITEHEAD -- The Harbor Column

Ahoy.

Tonight is the first of the seven nights to enjoy the Newport Beach

Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Boat Parade. It begins at 6:30

p.m. in between Harbor and Collins islands. I have been in the parade as

a professional captain for more than 20 years, and I have seen a lot of

interesting things happen on the water including topless Elves,

collisions, dock fights and vessels tangled in the moorings.

This year, let’s be smart and courteous to the other boaters while on

the water and keep it slow. What’s your hurry, anyway? And at all times,

use the IMO inland rules and boater’s etiquette while underway. This

includes aligning your decorations so they don’t obstruct the skipper’s

view for safe navigation and don’t block your navigational lights.

Plan before you leave the dock, starting with reviewing a copy of the

parade map that lists the route and estimated times. You want to follow

the route or stay clear of the route, traveling slowly with the flow of

traffic and keeping your starboard side to shore and passing oncoming

vessels port to port.

Be wary that what you do with your boat will affect all the boats

around you. Therefore, before you turn your boat, look behind you to see

if it is clear of any vessel abaft your stern. Also, you can help the

parade’s flow by not stopping in the middle of the it unless, of course,

safety reasons arise or you’re trying to close any gaps in the route

without creating damaging wakes. Keep in mind you are responsible for any

damage or injuries caused by your vessel’s wakes.

Parade officials will monitor marine band VHF working channel 68;

however, all commercial vessels will monitor channel 16 as required by

the Coast Guard. You will want to contact parade control on 68 for any

questions, but remember to use channel 16 for all emergencies and for

hailing other boats.

You will notice that most of the larger boats will cruise mid-channel

at a slow speed, and you will want to give these vessels a little room.

At a slow speed, the wind and current will have an effect upon these

vessels that, at a slow speed, will take time to counteract. Observe the

wind and current (tide changes) to try and calculate any effects that a

larger vessel may be experiencing. This will allow you to control your

own boat and also know what the other skipper is planning. The skippers

not paying attention to the responsibilities and not using their common

sense cause most accidents.

Lastly, be aware and be sober. Do not let the experienced skipper

become drunk and then have an inexperienced person take the helm during a

very crowded cruising period. A person cannot operate a recreational boat

with a blood alcohol level 0.08 or higher, and during the parade this

should be 0.00 for the safety of your guests and the guests on another

other boat you may hit.

All licensed captains that operate the commercial fleet and captains

that are hired to skipper private yachts cannot be over 0.04 nor have an

alcohol beverage four hours prior to taking the conns.

Lastly, watch your guests as you do not want someone to fall overboard

from overindulging.

If you are shore-side looking for a spot, then I have a great viewing

spot, and all you need is a blanket. Drive to Balboa Boulevard and 18th

Street where there is a small parking lot, restrooms and open bayfront

beach between 16th and 19th streets. You may want to bring along a

flashlight, but please do not shine flashlights from shore into the eyes

of those trying to skipper in the parade.

***

Tip of week: Before you leave the dock, have a brief safety

announcement and show all your passengers the locations of the life

jackets, fire extinguishers, ring buoy and other safety equipment. I

always designate someone as a deckhand, the person who will help me with

the lines, fenders and is able to assist should a situation arise

onboard. Find out who in your group has any boating knowledge. That

someone must be able to understand your requests (orders).

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 .