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Blog July 2015

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Marine Surveys in July
Posted On: July 16, 2023
FLAG DAY
Posted On: June 04, 2023
Boating on the Great South Bay
Posted On: April 04, 2023
BOATING DESTINATIONS ON LONG ISLAND
Posted On: March 28, 2023
SEALING THE DEAL
Posted On: March 14, 2023

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DUCKS FLOAT.....YOU MAY NOT

Posted On: July 23, 2015

Water Safety

Summer is in full swing, and the more nice days we encounter, the more we get tempted to avoid our common sense in pursuit of enjoying all the water has to offer.

If you are responsible for children it becomes even more important.

Whether you are at the beach, at a pool or at a nearby lake, on the Sound, or at the shore, make it common practice to have a life jacket on when you are in the water. A life preserver and a life jacket should be an essential accessory.

If you are boating, law requires boaters to have enough life vests for everyone on board, and ages 12 and younger are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times when the boat is under way.

Also, I encourage all families to consider enrolling children in swimming lessons. Swim lessons will teach children not only how to tread water but also how to stay float and keep close to shore.

Stay Safe and Enjoy the Water.

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ARE YOU EQUIPPED FOR DISASTER

Posted On: July 14, 2015

YOU ARE OUR ENJOYING A PEACEFUL DAY WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

It' s a good idea to make sure you have these handy.

Whistle

Rescue situations after natural disasters are typically chaotic affairs, with quickly-assembled teams doing their best under difficult circumstances. You can't always depend on visual identification in this kind of scenario, which is why survival experts insist that any disaster kit contain a safety whistle. Yelling for help can leave the average person hoarse after just a few minutes. A well-constructed whistle, however, can be blown for as long as you can normally breathe and heard for far greater distances. Many safety whistles also produce unique staccato sounds designed to be heard over helicopters and other loud engines.

Water

Drinkable water is one of the most important resources to have after a disaster. While many people recommend setting aside several gallons of bottled water, long-term survival might require something a little bigger. 

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PREPARE TO BE BOARDED SKIPPER

Posted On: July 07, 2015

DID YOU KNOW THAT

Unlike any other law enforcement arm, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) may board your boat at their discretion — they need no search warrant, no provocation, and no reason other than ensuring your boat is in full compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations.

I read this article in the July Boating Times and thought it would be a good topic to explore.

Do you know what to do and say if you see a USCG vessel in the vicinity and hear their voice on VHF channel 16 (or across the water) hailing your vessel and ordering you to bring your boat to a full stop?

You have been stopped by highly trained federal officers who will soon impress you with their professionalism. Before they even step off their vessel onto yours, the very first question they will ask you is, “Without reaching for them or touching them, do you have any weapons on board?” Subtly but powerfully, the tone is set:  “I am polite. I am professional. And I mean business.” Let’s assume (and hope) that the answer to that question is “no” since an affirmative answer sets up a scenario outside the scope of this article.

Once your boat is boarded, the officers will be seeking compliance with regulations, starting with those applicable to all boat sizes:

  • Your actual registration needs to be aboard and current. If you just have a copy, that’s a problem, but if you have no registration, you have a much bigger problem.
  • The Hull Identification Number needs to be the same on your registration and on your boat (embossed into the transom, low on the starboard side). If they don’t match, you’ve got a lot of explaining to do.
  • The registration numbers must be at least three inches, appear as a contrasting color to your hull, and be the most forward of any numbering or lettering on the boat.
  • If you have a Marine Sanitation Device (aka head or toilet), it must conform to regulations. As Long Island is a “No Discharge Zone,” an over-board, through-hull holding tank must be in the locked/closed position and the key must be under the control of the captain (no exceptions unless it can be seized closed or the handle can be removed in the closed position).

For more check out the full article in the Boating Times.

 

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STAY SAFE THIS FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND

Posted On: July 02, 2015

Here are some quick tips on boating responsibly in the great outdoors this weekend

 

Always avoid sensitive areas and operating your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds.

  • Always launch at a designated boat ramp. Backing a vehicle on a riverbank or lakeshore can damage the area and leads to erosion.
  • Always travel slowly in shallow waters and avoid boating in water less than 2½ feet deep. High speeds near shorelines lead to large wakes which cause shoreline erosion.
  • Sensitive areas to avoid include seasonal nesting or breeding areas.
  • Do not disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites.
  • Avoid “spooking” wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.
  • Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas  Obtain charts of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of boat.
  •  Make a realistic plan and stick to it.
  •  Always tell someone of your travel plans and file a float plan.
  •  Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures and permit requirements.
  •  Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment and supplies accordingly.
  •  Make sure you have enough fuel and oil for the entire trip.
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