From the Boathouse: Newport has a great water safety record

Ahoy!

The boating season officially begins this Memorial Day weekend, and this week I am writing my column from Philadelphia. This is perfect timing to visit the cracked Liberty Bell just before Memorial Day.

Previously known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is the time to remember those who gave their lives while serving this great nation. Let’s not forget to thank those who are serving now, and especially any veteran that you may know.

Across the nation, millions of people will be on the water the next few days. Thousands will be on the water in Newport Harbor and off our coast, but please check the sea conditions if you are venturing out the harbor entrance past the line of demarcation.

I want everyone to boat safely, especially with the message from Safe Boating Week in your mind. This year’s slogan is, “Ready Set, Wear It!” asking boaters to wear a personal flotation device while on the water. This annual awareness campaign is held the week before Memorial Day with the major goal of increasing awareness and decreasing the number of what I call “Goofy goes sailing” syndromes, where one leaves their common sense at the docks.

I am pleased to report that the safety record of boaters is excellent, even though the media may not portray that image. Just stop a moment and think that Newport Harbor has an estimated 9,000 boats, yet the area has a good safety record, considering the number of boating days we enjoy in Southern California.

California has enacted a boater licensing law that will be phased in by your age over the next few years, and all commercial operators must be licensed by the Coast Guard.

Now, recreational boat operators will be required to know the international and inland rules of the road. Inland regulations are followed while in the harbor and international when in the ocean or technically past the line of demarcation at the jetty entrance.

Additionally, boaters must be aware of the environmental regulations, such as what a no-discharge harbor means, when one can dispose trash overboard, fueling spillage and all the MARPOL regulations. Boaters need to know how to properly operate the marine band VHF radio to call for help or to call a nearby boater.

The yacht clubs are open now from coast to coast, and this is the time of year that I will be racing at the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club every weekend until the end of the season. Our C-Scow team is back together and looking forward to capsizing a few times as we push the boat to its limits.

Tip of the week: I get a lot of weather-related questions, and what are the sea conditions today, or what I think the seas will be like next week. I wish I could predict the weather and seas a week out.

Every boater should check the conditions before venturing out and check the tide tables as well. However, I have found a great interactive website by the National Weather Service at wrh.noaa.gov/lox that has predictions and current conditions at your fingertips.

Plus, if you go to the marine links page you can actually click on the floating weather buoys located at various positions out in the Pacific. These buoys transmit back to the websites of what is actually occurring with swells, winds, temperature and directions, complete with a data history that allows you to have an educated idea of what the conditions will be like when you go out.

As wireless Internet services become faster and reach more coverage areas, I can access the Internet to obtain real time information while underway. Let me know if you have a great marine weather website, and I will take a look at the site for possible listing in an upcoming column.

The original boating program, “Boathouse TV & Radio Shows,” has stretched from coast to coast for more than two decades. See the details at boathousetv.com, facebook.com/boathouseradio and twitter.com/boathouseradio.

Safe Voyages!

MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to boathousetv.com.