This is not in our AOR, but is still noteworthy to boaters in New York. We can consider it a ‘win’ from the Environmental/Marine Safety perspective!
Long Island Sound Designated as a “No Discharge Zone.”
The Long Island Sound has been designated as a “No Discharge Zone” (NDZ) making it illegal for boaters to release treated or untreated sewage into these waters. Boaters are now required to dispose of their waste by using pump-out stations located at many marinas along the Sound. This new NDZ will help improve the quality of water in the area, thereby reducing the amount of beach and shellfish harvest closures that must take place.
More details about NDZs (http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/73875.html) are on the DEC website.
John De Francesco, FSO-MS, 20-4
******
Captain Eldridge, courtesy www.tideware.com the Poem – Dissected!
Here is what the Captain penned, and here is the dissection…
When all three lights I see ahead, I turn to Starboard and show my Red.
Green to Green, Red to Red, Perfect Safety – Go Ahead.
But if to Starboard Red appear, It is my duty to keep clear –
To act as judgment says is proper: To Port or Starboard, Back or Stop her.
And if upon my Port is seen A Steamer’s Starboard light of Green,
I hold my course and watch to see * That Green to Port stays Clear of me.
Both in safety and in doubt Always keep a good look out.
In danger, with no room to turn, Ease her, Stop her, Go Astern.
******
HELP US HELP YOU
MARINER’S SAFETY ENDANGERED WHEN VHF RADIO DISTRESS ALERTS BY DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC)
LACK LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION
As the Coast Guard’s new marine radio network Rescue 21 becomes operational throughout the U.S., rescue centers can now receive instant distress alerts from commonly used DSC-capable VHF marine radios. However, approximately 90% of VHF DSC distress alerts received by the Coast Guard do not contain position information, and approximately 60% do not contain a registered identity. The Coast Guard cannot effectively respond to a DSC distress alert sent from such a radio.
This means that search and rescue efforts may normally be suspended when:
- no communications with the distressed vessel can be established,
- no further information or means of contacting the vessel can be obtained from other sources, and
- no position information is known.
HELP US HELP YOU
FIRST Obtain a Maritime Mobile Installation Identity (MMSI) and enter it into your radio. MMSI numbers are issued by the Federal Communications Commission if your vessel otherwise requires a station license, or from BOATUS. Ensure any information originally provided is updated as changes occur. FCC regulations require that DSC-equipped radios “use MMSIs assigned by the Commission or its designees” (47 CFR 80.103(b)).
THEN Interconnect your radio to a GPS receiver using a two-wire NMEA 0183 interface on all DSC equipped marine radios and on most GPS receivers. Instructions should be provided in the radio and GPS operators manual. Further information is provided and will be routinely updated in http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtDsc.
Developed by the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Policy Division (CG-652), United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC. Questions should be directed to Mr. Russell Levin at (202) 475 3555 or Russell.S.Levin@uscg.mil.
******
“Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species”
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/stopaqinvas.pdf
“Marine Safety Activity for kids”
http://www.seapartners.info/SeaPartners/Table_of_Contents.html
“Clean Vessel Act and pump outs.”
http://federalaid.fws.gov/cva/cva.html
*********
Electricity and water don’t mix
WASHINGTON- The Coast Guard Auxiliary suggests you have your dock inspected periodically for bad wires and loose grounds. The same goes for your boat. Any time a person swims around a dock or boat where there is AC power, electrical shock could occur. A boat plugged into shore power with a short on board is dangerous and the owner may not be aware of it. AC current may enter the bonding system if an AC ground becomes disconnected then electrical current can enter the water by way of a bonded thru hull fitting. The boat dock can also develop a short and create a potential life threatening hazard. Some drowning were discovered to be from electrical shock.
Electrical discharge into salt water from a boat is not as dangerous as discharge into fresh water. The reason being, salt water is a better conductor and will allow the current to flow to the bottom or some other grounded metal around the dock or to the neighbors boat while fresh water being less conductive will form an electrified field around the boat. Many marinas have stopped allowing swimming around docks because of these hazards.
*******
Fueling Your Boat
WASHINGTON -A fire on a boat is frightening and, often, fatal. When fueling, chances of a fuel fire are heightened. Gasoline fumes are highly flammable. Here are some precautions:
- Close all of the windows and doors before refueling.
- Frequently check fuel lines and connections for leaks and worn spots.
- Be sure all electrical devices are turned off, as well as the engine.
- When gasoline passes through the hose, it generates static electricity. If that ‘sparks’ with the fumes at the fuel tank fill point, an explosion can occur. To dissipate the static electricity, keep the metal nozzle of the hose in contact with the metal part of the refueling opening.
- Try not to spill any fuel during the process.
- When fueling is complete, securely fasten the gas cap.
- Open up all windows and doors to ventilate.
- If you have inboard or inboard/outboard engines run the bilge blower. Run the fan for at least five minutes. (It’s a good idea to run this blower before ANY engine start, since even a small leak can produce lots of fumes.)
- NO SMOKING!
Use your nose! If you smell gas, shut everything down and find the source.
Another fire hazard is cooking fires, either from propane tanks, stoves or grills. Be sure all connections are tight. Install a fire extinguisher close to the galley.
Boats less than 26’ must have at least one B-1 extinguisher. Boats between 26’ and less than 40’ must have two B-1s or one B-2. When buying your extinguishers buy the ones that have “ABC” printed on them. They will put out combustible material and liquids (such as gasoline or grease), and electrical fires. The number indicates the capacity – II is larger than I. As to how many and what size to buy, more and larger is the way to go. Make sure fire extinguishers are Coast Guard approved.
*******
TIPS FOR BOATERS
Ways to Keep Your Boat in Tip Top Working Condition and Enjoy Your Day on the Water While Protecting the Underwater World Around You
CLEANING:
When washing a boat’s deck and hull surface, people often use products that contain toxic ingredients such as chlorine, phosphates and ammonia. Just as these chemicals act as degreaser on the boat, they also act as degreaser on fish — drying the natural oil fish need for their gills to take in oxygen. To cut your need for toxic products, follow these tips:
• Rinse your boat only with fresh water after each use. This will cut your need for cleansers and heavy-duty products.
• Use old-fashioned cleaning methods, including baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax and “elbow grease”.
SANDING:
Sanding and scraping your boat can release noxious paint and varnish particles into the air and water around you. Always sand and scrape on shore, away from the water and preferably in a dedicated work area. Use a vacuum sander, a tool that collects and stores the dust before it can get into the water or into your eyes and lungs!
PAINTING:
To reduce organism growth, many boat owners apply anti-fouling paints to the boat bottom. However, most of these paints contain toxic metals such as copper, mercury, arsenic or tributyltin (TBT). All have severe impacts on human health and the underwater ecosystem; the use of some, such as TBT, has even been banned by federal law. To learn more about laws regulating bottom paints, as well as alternative painting products, contact your state boating agency and your local marine supply store.
FUELING:
Take precautions not to overfill your fuel tank. If you overflow onto the boat or dock, wipe up the spill with a rag; do not hose it into the water. If you do spill fuel or oil into the water, do not disperse it with detergent or soap! That only sends the problem down to the seafloor where it becomes more toxic and more difficult to clean up. If the spill is large or if it discolors the surface of the water, you must report it to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 or to the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channels 16. Failure to do so is illegal and can cost you civil penalties and/or criminal sanctions.
MOTORING:
If you become grounded, do not attempt to motor your way out. This could cause serious damage not only to your motor and propellers, but also to the seafloor and local marine organisms. If you sight a marine mammal such as a manatee, dolphin or whale, slow down and keep a safe
********
