The importance of boating

Ahoy.

BoatU.S. is opening a new boating retail store just a short drive

south on East Coast Highway from West Marine’s storefront. BoatU.S.

is known throughout the nation, but primarily on the East Coast, with

the company’s headquarters in Alexandria, Va.

Government affairs, retail operations, TowboatU.S. vessel towing,

marine insurance and a boat owners association are all part of the

services provided to boaters.

Next month the new 10,000-square-foot marine center is scheduled

to open at 377 E. Coast Highway between the service station and auto

dealership at Bayside Drive and East Coast Highway. The store will

have one of the largest boating retail displays in the nation along

with their online store. Looks like BoatU.S. has plans for growth on

Pacific side of the nation as the Newport store will join three other

existing Southern California locations in San Diego, Huntington Beach

and Marina Del Rey.

This brings back to my mind how vital and important boating is to

Southern California and especially Newport Harbor. And I am concerned

that with the vast majority of marine companies being small

businesses, whose owners are involved in day-to-day operations, many

people are not able to keep on the pulse of the hundreds of proposed

legislations.

Case in point is the dory fishermen, whose legacy is in real

jeopardy with Pacific Fisheries Management Council of the National

Marine Fisheries Service coming up with this out-of-the-blue

emergency fishing ban. The recreational industry and the small dory

fleet are paying the price for the years of mismanagement and an

emergency ban that exempts the big commercial trawl nets, gill nets

and longlines that are known as the major cause for sweeping the

ocean floor clean of fish species.

Now, I have heard but am unable to confirm as of my deadline that

the ban might have been lifted in our area allowing the Dory Fleet to

return to work. Trying to earn an honest living and investing in your

business is becoming more of a challenge and we must help protect our

marine heritage. From the emergency fishing ban on our coast, to

marinas being affected by manatees in Florida, to a New Jersey

representative submitting a bill to allow dumping of holding tanks in

no discharge zones, I have to admit that I am concerned about our

marine environment.

I mentioned in a prior column that a national survey shows that

boating and fishing is ranked No. 1 as a family activity. The

California Coastal Commission promotes water access for the public

and millions of dollars are spent annually by state and federal

agencies on boating. So, let’s promote boating and fishing as an

excellent recreational activity. I am holding my breath for the day

when boat-bottom cleaners are put out of business because regular

underwater cleaning of a boat bottom is polluting the water and

harming a marine habitat growing on your hull.

I received exciting news this week when I received a book contract

with Bristol Fashion Publications (www.bfpbooks.com) for my book

titled “Using Your VHF Radio.” I wrote this book a few years ago

explaining in simple English how to properly use the marine band VHF

radio aboard boats. Proper radio usage can help not only to find your

friends on the water but may save a life in an emergency situation.

Listen any given weekend and you will hear the garbles of boaters

trying to use their radio, and I am so thankful that the CB language

has faded out of memory, 10-4 good buddy.

As a reminder, channel 16 is for hailing and distress calls only.

Switch recreational boater to boater communications to 09, 68, 69,

71, 72, or 78 as a safe guideline. There are many channels available

that have designated usages so be careful just flipping the dial.

Also, running in the San Pedro Channel you can monitor ship traffic

on vessel traffic channel 14 and ship’s bridge to bridge on channel

13. Lastly, always monitor channel 16 to hear advisory announcements

and so you can render aid to that boater next to you who maybe

calling for assistance.

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 Mike@BoathouseTV.com or BoathouseTV.com.