Countdown to Christmas boat parade

Ahoy.

The countdown is now only five days until the start of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, and I am peering into my weather crystal ball for Wednesday evening.

I see partly clear skies with the chance of fog and wind chill temperatures dropping only into the 50s. I will not be able to predict dew point until next week when I can observe the weather conditions. Still, it looks like we’ll have excellent parade weather, with a crisp wintertime feel in the air to help get everyone in the spirit.

Remember, if you are looking for a great location to view the parade from shore, then come on over to Balboa to the bay front boardwalk by the Balboa Pavilion and Fun Zone. As the parade passes by, I will be giving running commentary. There is ample parking in the area, especially at the city lot at Balboa Pier, which is a very short walk from to the bay front.

Also, calling all the boaters who are participating in the parade: I need your boat information. Plus I would like to know an interesting or funny occurrence you’re experienced during one of Newport Beach’s parades. Please do not send me a 100-page dissertation, but a brief explanation of an occurrence or two, and your vessel’s specification -- whether a kayak or a 100-foot yacht. The information that is helpful to know about your vessel are the make, model, year, colors, home port, length, beam, draft, anything unique and any far away port that the vessel has visited under your command.

The parade starts off Collins Island at 6:30 p.m. with the route heading toward the Balboa Island bridge where you will make a 180-degree turn, and finishes at the same site at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are two parade routes, with a shorter route Wednesday and Thursday, and the traditional longer route on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

TIP OF THE WEEK

The tip this week is for those skippers on the water during the boat parade.

You need to be wary: What you do with your boat affects 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 parade unless, of course, safety reasons arise or you’re trying to close any gaps in the route without creating damaging wakes. Keep this in mind: You are responsible for any damage or injuries caused by your vessel’s wakes.

You will notice that most of the larger commercial 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 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.

If you are in doubt as to the commercial operators’ intentions, hail on channel 16 for passing coordination. The skippers who are not paying attention to the responsibilities and not using their common sense cause most of the accidents.

The parade officials will be monitoring VHF marine radio’s working channel 68. However, for all emergencies, use only channel 16 to hail the Newport Harbor Patrol. Please do not interfere with channel 16 by chatting, playing music or constantly yelling “Merry Christmas” over the airwaves, as you could hinder a real emergency radio call in the harbor or out at sea.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation, “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show.” It airs every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You can join me, Chandler Bell and Eric Hovland by calling the listener line at (888) 344-1170.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by e-mail to mike@boathousetv.com or visit www.boathousetv.com.

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