A few more Christmas boat parade tips

Ahoy.

Only five more days until the start of the Newport Harbor

Christmas Boat Parade, so another one of my tips. I have generated

these tips from years as a professional captain participating in this

parade and many other parades.

Let’s start with everyone striving to boat smartly by using

prudent seamanship and being extra courteous by remembering boaters’

etiquette, especially in those close-quarter situations. How about

following the directions from the parade control boats, and using the

inland rules of navigation.

The parade officials will be monitoring VHF marine band working

channel 68; and you can contact parade control on 68 for any

questions.

For all emergencies, only use channel 16, not 68, to hail Newport

KDG (Newport Harbor Patrol). Unless actually in the parade, you

should monitor channel 16 so that other boaters can contact you, and

all the commercial vessels will be monitoring channel 16 as required

by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Do not hesitate to hail a larger vessel to let the skipper know

you are passing close on, for example, the starboard side or you are

not certain of the larger vessel’s intentions. Because whether it is

a recreational or commercial vessel, the larger the vessel, the less

maneuverability and the less visibility for the skipper.

You cannot interfere with the parade to leave your slip or to

dock, so, before you leave the dock, review a copy of the parade map

and estimated time schedule.

I always designate someone who will help me with the lines and

fenders and can assist should a situation arise on board.

Find out who in your group has any boating knowledge or can keep a

level head in a crisis. That someone must be able to understand your

requests (orders) and follow through, but do not confuse your helper

by using only nautical nomenclature.

Once underway, always follow the flow of traffic, keeping your

starboard side nearest to shore and passing oncoming vessels port to

port. Who are the idiots who always cruise up the wrong side of the

channel, causing chaos as boats are shifting out of the way? Do they

drive northbound on the freeway in the southbound lanes?

Travel slowly. There is no hurry to cruise around the harbor. If

you are speeding up to close a gap in the parade route, keep in mind

that you are responsible for any damage created by your wake to the

docks or other boaters. Proceed with caution and look back at your

wake.

I have mentioned this many times in my columns, but as a reminder,

be wary that how you handle 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, do not stop in the

middle of the parade or a channel unless, of course, for safety

reasons.

You will notice that most of the larger boats will cruise

mid-channel at slow speeds. Please give these vessels a little room.

At a slow speed, the wind and current will have a noticeable effect

upon these vessels that will take time to counteract.

Observe the wind and current (tide changes) to calculate any

effects that a larger vessel may be experiencing. This will help you

control your own boat and know what the other skipper is planning.

Cruise safe and have a great time.

I’ll see you out there.

Special tip of the week: Boat owners must have the proper size

lifejackets on board, and this includes visiting children. Simply

stop by the Newport Harbor Patrol Office on Bayside Drive and pick up

a child’s lifejacket on loaner and drop off the next day.

The Harbor Department and the Marine Committee of the Newport

Beach Chamber received child lifejackets from BoatUS’s Child PDF

Loaner Program, and the Harbor Patrol is coordinating this loaner

program seven days a week. Now, you have no excuse for not having the

correct size of a lifejacket aboard.

Next week, I will tell you about a Holiday Make-A-Wish Holiday

cruise organized by Harbormaster Marty Kasules and made possible by

Dave and Jan New. We cruised the harbor aboard Electra Cruise’s

“Destiny” and had a special visit from Santa and Rudolph.

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 visit

BoathouseTV.com.