Protect your decks with a scarecrow

Ahoy.

They’re back, and I am not talking about the mother ship from the planet Mars. I am referring to the harbor’s sea lions that are calling various boats and docks their home. This topic is generating so much attention that it was recently aired on KCET-TV’s “Life and Times” show by veteran TV journalist Roger Cooper.

The biggest challenge is keeping the mammals from damaging boats and docks when the hundreds of pounds of blubber flop on deck. The sea lions will break stanchions and lifelines, crack fiberglass decks, defecate and regurgitate on the decks, and they leave an oily brown stain that is almost impossible to clean off any surface.

Let’s not forget that the larger sea lions or multiple sea lions do sink some smaller boats.

Boat owners are attempting to prevent the critters from coming aboard by placing objects on their swim steps to create a barrier, but the massive sea lions have smashed and knocked the stuff out of the way to get onboard.

Also, there is a problem with the loud barking from the sea lions that will awaken waterfront residents at night. I have spent many nights on yachts in Monterey Bay, an area that is jam-packed with sea lions. Believe me, the 24-hour barking sounds were deafening. Also, you might be surprised at how high an 800 pound sea lion can hop out of the water. Well, just look how high Newport’s entrance bell buoy is out of the water with sea lions fighting for a spot.

Now, Chris Miller, with Newport Beach’s Harbor Resources Department, is trying to use what farmers have been using for centuries: scarecrows ? except these scarecrows are modernized. Field scarecrows are static, and the sea lions figure this out in a short time. Enter the 21st century’s scarecrow: It’s mechanical and has sensors to activate a spray of water.

Who would have thought that spraying water on a sea lion would shoo it away since they spend so much time in water?

The water-spraying scarecrows can be positioned on boats and on docks to squirt the critters with water pumped directly from the bay. This preventive device can save your boat or dock and teach the sea lions not to haul out inside the harbor.

Additionally, anyone without a water squirting contraption can use a garden hose to spray the sea lions at a safe distance as the pinnipeds can become territorial and defensive.

I still think we could import a pod of killer whales to ward off the sea lions, and the killer whales would be a great tourist attraction too.

The tip of the week is to help a local sailor reach his dreams of going for the gold at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.

Sailors on the water know Nick Scandone, who was named the 2005 Rolex yachtsman of the year; however, most do not know that he is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease as he tries to reach what is most likely his last major race. We all hope Scandone is physically capable of going for the gold as his muscles are weakening from this terrible, debilitating disease.

Newport Harbor Yacht Club is helping by hosting an evening honoring Scandone on June 28, and members of reciprocal yacht clubs are invited to attend; however contact Newport Harbor Yacht Club, as there is limited seating.

Boaters can help Scandone reach the games by sending a donation to the Balboa Yacht Club Marine Sciences and Seamanship Foundation, c/o Gale Pinckney/Catherine Malm, Newport Harbor Yacht Club, 720 West Bay, Balboa, CA 92661. Also, you can include words of encouragement for Scandone as he mentally and physically prepares for his next challenge.

Remember to tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation every Saturday at noon. “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” is on KCBQ-AM (1170) and can be heard online at www.boathouseradio.com. Also, if you have a special nautical event held during our broadcast times, please let me know. We might show up for a live broadcast at your event.

Safe voyages.