House Committee Passes Clean Boating Act of 2008, Moves Bill to Full House for Consideration

Time running out for America’s boaters; NMMA continues call for action

 

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 15, 2008 - - The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today applauded the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) for approving commonsense legislation introduced by Representatives Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) and Candice Miller (R-Mich.), Co-Chair of the House Boating Caucus.

The Clean Boating Act will ensure recreational boaters and anglers, including un-inspected charter fishing boats, will not need federal permits to operate their boats. The T&I Committee, chaired by Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), approved H.R. 5949, the Clean Boating Act of 2008, by voice vote, paving the way for its consideration by the full House of Representatives.  

“The Clean Boating Act is a bipartisan, good government solution to a looming administrative and legal crisis for boaters across America,” said Scott Gudes, NMMA vice president of Government Relations. “On behalf of America’s recreational marine industry and the nation’s 59 million adult boaters, NMMA thanks Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member John Mica (R-Fla.), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chair Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.), Rep. LaTourette, Rep. Miller, and all the Committee members for moving this crucial bill forward.”

“NMMA also wishes to thank Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi, Co-Chair of the House Boating Caucus, who along with Rep. Miller brought us to this important point by introducing and advocating tirelessly for H.R. 2550, the Recreational Boating Act of 2007,” added Gudes. “H.R. 2550, which accumulated nearly 100 bipartisan cosponsors, was absolutely crucial, and Congressman Taylor is to be commended.”

 “Congress’ work is far from over,” Gudes continued. “We now strongly urge the full House and the United States Senate—where identical legislation has 33 bipartisan sponsors—to quickly pass this legislation and send it to the President for signature into law well in advance of the September 2008 permitting deadline.”

H.R. 5949 is identical to S. 2766, Senate legislation introduced by Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) that now has 32 bipartisan cosponsors. S. 2766 is pending before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, chaired by Sen. Boxer.      

The Clean Boating Act would fully and permanently restore a longstanding regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from the federal and state permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act designed for land-based industrial facilities and ocean-going commercial ships. This exemption was overturned by a federal court in 2006 in a case focused exclusively on ballast water from commercial vessels. The Clean Boating Act has the support of the $37 billion recreational marine industry, the nation’s 59 million adult recreational boaters and more than 50 organizations involved in outdoor recreation, sportfishing, hunting and conservation.   

Chairman Oberstar pledged to soon hold a hearing on commercial vessel discharges and work on separate legislation dealing with non-recreational vessels, which he said was a more complicated issue. Oberstar urged his colleagues on the Committee to move the Clean Boating Act in a way that eases its path toward quick enactment into law.

“The Committee has done good work in passing this legislation,” said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “Now it is time for Congress to swiftly pass the Clean Boating Act of 2008 to not only preserve one of America’s favorite ways to enjoy the great outdoors, but also the American marine manufacturing industry that provides hundreds of thousands jobs in this country. America’s boaters want to protect our natural resources and deserve to enjoy the outdoors without federal red tape and excessive legal jeopardy.”

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in the United States. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.

 

FROM:              NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

200 E. Randolph Dr., Suite 5100

Chicago, IL  60601-6528

312-946-6200

 

 

CONTACT:       Lindsey Johnson (ljohnson@nmma.org; 312-946-6204)

                        Ellen Hopkins (ehopkins@nmma.org; 312-946-6249)

 

 

For non-Canadian residents boating in Canada

The boating season in the north is rapidly approaching as the weather gets warmer. The following information is necessary reading if you plan to operator a pleasure craft in any waters of our good neighbors to the north.

For non-Canadian resident boating in Canada, the exact regulations are found in the Canadian Shipping Act, Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulation at http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/C/csa/regulations/100/csa108/csa108.html#competency.

Disclaimer: Without being a legally binding interpretation, this is what it says:

Section 3 (Prohibitions), Subsection 2 (b): non residents of Canada can operate their pleasure craft in Canada (all provinces and territories) for less than 45 consecutive days if “Competent”.

Section 4 (Competency), Subsection 2: “A person who is not a resident of Canada is “competent” to operate a pleasure craft” (b) “if the person has been issued a certificate or other similar document by the person's state or country of residence attesting that the person has acquired the boating safety knowledge required by the state or country”.

There are other regulations for boats chartered in Canada.

The 44 days is consistent with International agreements. Basically, a qualified US boater can sail his vessel for less than 45 consecutive days in Canadian waters. Non-residents operating their pleasure craft in Canadian waters after 44 consecutive days and hold an Operator card or equivalent issued to a non-resident by their state or country will be considered as proof of competency.

Of higher concern is the Operator Certification for Maritime radios called the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime). For the operation of VHF radios, that certification is no longer mandatory for US citizen boating in US territorial waters. However, the certification is required by non-citizens boating in Foreign (Canadian) territorial waters. Also, all Canadian Boaters operating maritime radios in Canadian waters are still required by law to carry that certification. This certification is governed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the signatory countries.

Boating is fun...let us show you how!

Stf/C Richard E. Gercak, AP
Assistant Chairman
National Gov. / Partner Relations Committee
United States Power Squadrons
Captaindick1@aol.com
850-217-6303

 

Kayakers keep rescue crews busy

By Mimi Hall, USA TODAY

Brandon Andrusic and Tim Gutmann were experienced kayakers planning a quick paddle around Wood Island off the coast of Biddeford Pool, Maine.

A mile offshore, they ran into much rougher surf than they expected. They struggled against the swells. Andrusic eventually lost sight of his friend and capsized, but he made it to Wood Island.  Read more   http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-29-kayak_N.htm

 

Squadrons are encouraged to conduct the now available "Paddle Smart" seminar to help remind paddlers of the safety aspects of their sport.

FISHING FOR AN EXCUSE TO WEAR LIFE JACKETS

Or

FISHING IS MORE DANGEREOUS THAN YOU THINK

 

Ask any experienced boater about life jackets and they will tell you that they put them on at the first sign of danger.  Ask those same people if they think fishing is inherently dangerous and they will probably say no.  Unfortunately this is a severe disconnect in boating safety logic.

 

There is something almost hypnotic about fishing. Fishermen get so entranced in the act of catching a fish that they wander off shore without an EPIRB or radio and believe they are protected with insufficient near shore life jackets.  They get so focused on catching a fish that they fail to see approaching weather. When they do see an approaching storm they refuse to head for safety if the fish are biting. If they have a fish on the line, it is “Katie Bar the Door” until that fish is landed.

 

My home State of Florida has the highest mortality rate per boating accident in the Nation. In just the past few months there have been several needless deaths, all to fishermen. One man was reported missing and was found drowned near his 16 foot boat.  His fishing rod was floating nearby with a fish still on the line. Recently a man in the Florida Keys was fishing with a companion.  He hooked a fish and in the process of landing it, fouled the fishing line on his outboard propeller.  Leaning over to free it, he fell overboard and drowned. I bet these men didn’t think that fishing was dangerous since neither one was wearing a life jacket.

 

The majority of fishing is done in a 16 to 24 foot craft.  National statistics show that the majority of boating accidents happen on small craft.  This immediately puts you at risk. While your best protection on the water is an off shore life jacket, I know they are too bulky to ask an active fisherman to wear.  This is one instance where a type 5 inflatable life jacket may be a reasonable alternative.  These safety devices are no more bulky to wear than a pair of suspenders.  While the models with automatic inflators are a little pricey, those with a pull cord inflator are quite reasonable and simple to operate. Fishermen please believe me.  The sport of fishing is dangerous and you should have a life jacket on at all times.  If you don’t believe me I will be glad to direct you to the families of the two men mentioned above.  Perhaps they can convince you!

 

The United States Power Squadrons has 45,000 members in over 450 squadrons throughout the United States and abroad. Its members are men, women, and young adults who volunteer and give freely of their time and energy to teach boating safety courses and seminars, provide vessel safety checks, assist the National Ocean Service in updating our nation's over 1000 nautical charts, and in other ways contribute to making boating on our waterways safer. For further information please visit the USPS Web site at www.usps.org or call (toll free) 888-367-8777.

 

“Boating is fun…we’ll show you how”

 

William B. Hempel, P

Member of the National Marketing and

Public Relations Committee

United States Power Squadrons

 

Bill Hempel is a year round resident of Punta Gorda, Florida and a regular writer for the Waterline in the Charlotte Sun. His articles have appeared in publications throughout the recreational boating world. He is a recipient of the United States Power Squadrons’ "Ship’s Bell Award" which is the organization’s highest accolade for the promotion of boating safety.

billmarl@comcast.net

 

 

 

TIPS TO MAKE BOATING LESS "FUELISH"

At $4.00 per gallon, many boaters are finding it much too costly to enjoy a day on the water. At two hours each way, a run to a nice marina restaurant can cost a twin engine boater upwards of $500.00.  That makes for one very expensive hamburger.   Following are ten helpful tips that will help you increase your fuel economy, save a few dollars and maybe increase the time you can afford to be on the water.

 

1. If you keep the boat on a lift, make certain your hull is clean and well waxed. If you keep your boat in the water, be sure to maintain a good coat of bottom paint. A slippery boat has less drag.

2. Proper size, pitch and number of propeller blades are important.  Select the optimal combination for your boat. Sacrificing a little top end speed can give you a 10% increase in fuel economy.

3. Nicks, dings or bends in a propeller can increase fuel consumption by up to 15%. Check your prop regularly.

4. Clean your carburetor, injectors and flame arrestor to maximize air fuel blend and optimal performance. Commercial gasoline additives are fine to clean your fuel systems and be sure to use a non flammable cleaner on the flame arrestor.

5. Remove all unnecessary weight to minimize the amount of hull being pushed through the water.  Every pound of weight creates the need for one more pound of displacement.

6. Trim your tabs, outboards and stern drives to keep your bow up and out of the water to minimize drag.

7. Whenever conditions allow, keep the boat up on plane. (Be certain to adhere to all speed and wildlife control zones).

8. Conduct some control runs and create an RPM vs. fuel consumption curve.  This will help you pick your optimum cruising speed.

9. Pick your boating days with care. Rough seas and headwinds can increase your fuel economy by over 25%.

10. Lastly, but most importantly; tell your friends the days of the free boat trips are over.  At $4.00 per gallon it isn’t unreasonable to tell guests up front the approximate cost of the days gas bill and that “we will be splitting the cost amongst us” Just do so up front so they have a chance to opt out of paying $100.00 each for their burger.

 

The United States Power Squadrons® has 45,000 members in over 450 squadrons throughout the United States and abroad. Its members are men, women, and young adults who volunteer and give freely of their time and energy to teach boating safety courses and seminars, provide vessel safety checks, assist the National Ocean Service in updating our nation's over 1000 nautical charts, and in other ways contribute to making boating on our waterways safer. For further information please visit the USPS Web site at www.usps.org or call (toll free) 888-367-8777.

 

                        “Boating is fun…we’ll show you how”

 

William B. Hempel, P

Member of the National Marketing

and Public Relations Committee

of the United States Power Squadrons

 

Bill Hempel is a year round resident of Punta Gorda, Florida and a regular writer for the Waterline in the Charlotte Sun. His articles have appeared in publications throughout the recreational boating world. He is a recipient of the United States Power Squadrons’ "Ship’s Bell Award" which is the organization’s highest accolade for the promotion of boating safety.

billmarl@comcast.net

 

International Boating and Water Safety Summit

San Diego, California. Thursday, 17 April 2008.

Delegates of the world’s boating organizations stood at attention while Sea Scouts from Orange County presented the colors for the opening of the eleventh annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit. The gathering is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education.

The National Safe Boating Council and the National Water Safety Congress hosted the meeting in San Diego, California from April 17-19, 2008. Delegates participated in a program encompassing nearly all aspects of boating and water safety; including risk management, boating education, waterways management and law enforcement.

The color guard, wearing the white dress uniform of the Sea Scouts, demonstrated Sea Scouts commitment to youth development and safety through programs on the water. The ceremonial detail included Eagle Scout Nathaniel Erwin (National Flagship 2006 DELMAR) of Brea, CA; Able Sea Scout Jeff Adam (National Flagship 2006 DELMAR) from Dana Point, CA; Eagle Scout Ruben Hipolito (Orange County Squadron Boatswain) from Midway City, CA; and Eagle Scout Dale Stoica (National Flagship 2006 DELMAR) from Fullerton, CA. Stoica also serves as the International Boatswain for the upcoming William I. Koch International Sea Scout Sailing Championship at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD July 13-19, 2008.

Sea Scouts Erwin, Adam and Stoica are all members of Balboa Power Squadron, District 28, United States Power Squadrons^®. Balboa PS is the sponsoring organization for Sea Scout Ship DELMAR and partners with Sea Scouts-BSA nationwide to promote and teach safe boating education with America’s youth.

All Hands On Deck For "Carrier"

My company "Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)" is a major sponsor of this 10-part PBS Special which begins on this coming Sunday evening at 9:00 PM.

I just saw the first "very unvarnished episode" over my lunch hour at CSC Headquarters 

 

This series doesn't pull any punches [and the language is "salty"] as the camera crews follow 15 young sailors, and a couple of Officers, around the ship for 6 months.  This is the type of life your Skipper signed up when he went to sea back in 1965 - the ships were still made of wood back then.  It

hasn't change much.  

 

Life aboard any Ship is long hours, exhausting, boring, and yet the duty is rewarding all at the same time.  These young sailors grow up with real world problems like the local sailor your will meet from Manassas, VA who got his girlfriend pregnant just before deploying.  These young people learn to make better decisions in the world around them as they mature. 

 

It's worth your time to check this 10-part Series out beginning on Sunday evening at 9:00 PM, if any of you are in the least bit interested in joining up into any military service?  You won't be on the fence after watching "Carrier," your mind will be made up one way or the other after seeing this PBS Special.

 

Don't Give Up the Ship,

Skipper Tom Ballew

Sea Scout Ship 1942

"2007 National Flagship"     

 

*****************************

USA Today

April 25, 2008

Page 9E

All Hands On Deck For 'Carrier'

PBS series follows life aboard the USS Nimitz By Gary Strauss, USA Today Life aboard a naval aircraft carrier isn't Top Gun - but at times on PBS'

multi-part documentary Carrier (premieres Sunday, 9 ET/PT, times may vary), it sure seems that way

 

Among the 5,300 sailors aboard the USS Nimitz (and especially among hotshot fighter pilots), the 1986 Tom Cruise film is a mainstay, shown more than 200 times a year. But Carrier's unprecedented 10-part, 10-hour chronicle of life aboard the Nimitz is no Hollywood fantasy.

 

The tone is set in Episode 1 - "All Hands" - which underscores Carrier's warts-and-all, unvarnished study of character, work ethic and the complexities of operating one of the world's largest, most lethal combat ships.

 

"It's really the stories of young men and women on the tip of the spear, their lives, their hopes and fears. That's what drives you back hour after hour," says PBS programming chief John Wilson.

 

At its core, Carrier is the story of a handful of 15 enlisted men, women and officers, including gruff Master Chief Christopher Penton, a 27-year veteran, and Lt. Laurie Coffey, an F-18 pilot on her first deployment (a "nugget," in Navy parlance)

 

To be sure, there are ample big-screen-style bravado and heroics, particularly among pilots and flight deck grunts. Yet no guns were fired or bombs dropped - except for target practice - during the filming of Nimitz's six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in 2005.

 

There are ample displays of grousing, boredom and tedious grunt work that offsets romantic notions of life at sea. Carrier captures a range of human emotion and activity largely because film crews were granted unparalleled access to Nimitz and its crew of mostly teens and twenty something's, many pimply-faced and barely ready to shave.

 

Carrier wasn't an easy launch, says Maro Chermayeff, co-creator and executive producer. It took a year of negotiations and backdoor schmoozing between retired Navy aviator David Kennedy, now a Hollywood technical adviser, and Nimitz's officers to counter Pentagon resistance. Eventually, a 17-member film crew was permitted on the Nimitz. It took two months at sea before the ship's personnel warmed to Carrier's film crews and both fell into a groove, Chermayeff says.

 

Ultimately, filmmakers shot 1,600 hours of life on a floating city, much of it mundane and unflattering. When the Nimitz is put on night alert because of a possible man overboard, an officer is quick to anger upon learning it's a false alarm. Sailors ponder the politics of the Iraq war. Some face the wrath of superiors for everything from poor performance to drunkenness. Yet Carrier also shows the close-knit bonds of the flight deck crews toiling in hazardous, ear-shattering conditions, as well as the tight camaraderie of fighter jocks determined to give one another as much good-natured grief as possible.

 

"What I like best about (Carrier) is it portrays us as being human, not just the military dropping bombs and killing people," says Penton, 47. "It's about us working hard, our way of life and the sacrifices we make for this country. It's an honest look at what goes on (aboard) a combat ship."

 

Coffey, now a flight instructor, says Carrier offers a realistic look at how women function in the testosterone-fueled atmosphere of a fighter squadron.

Still, she was initially reticent about being filmed. "My priority was doing my job and doing it well," says Coffey, 30. "Eventually, you forgot the cameras. That's what allowed them to get open, honest stories. There's an authenticity to it. It's not a Navy commercial."

 

 

USCG 6-pack Requires TWIC

United States Coast Guard (USCG) & Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have announced that if you hold any USCG license (including a Coast Guard 6 pack or any Masters license) you have just 6 months left to get a new piece of plastic or your license will be invalidated.Your license will be invalid after Sept 2008 if you do not get a TWIC Card (Transportation Worker Identity Card) from Homeland Security.To get it you have to go personally to their satellite offices and apply for and pay approx. $130 and produce id, and they will take your personal information to have their contractor, Lockheed, prepare and produce a new biometric id card for you to carry. It can be read by automated readers and USCG personnel with wands in the future if they board your vessel. They are into checking IDs now and this is part of the plan for the future to protect our waterways. If you lose your card it costs $60 for a new one. You have to apply for it in person, and then wait one or two months and return to the identical satellite office where you applied to pick up your new TWIC card.

They cannot mail or deliver it and if you are traveling, you are out of luck and need to fly back to where you applied. They are issued by each office separately. If you want to schedule an appointment or ask a question you can contact them by phone on their single national site. No local phones to inquire at. They can deal with you in either Spanish or English when you call.They have a web site explaining it: http://www.twicinformation.com

Future boardings by the USCG will not only check your boat but also your ID.

Don Baker
New Jersey State Legislative Representative

TWIC and the Recreational Boater

The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, were a clear reminder to the people and government of the United States that the nation is not impervious to the political turmoil and extremist activities that can be found around the globe. Those events were the catalyst for a hard look at the vulnerabilities this country faces in human and economic terms from the capabilities of terrorist groups. Of the nationally vital infrastructures reviewed during this assessment, our maritime borders and facilities were identified as particularly susceptible to direct attack or indirect use as a means to smuggle persons or dangerous items into the country. The Congress determined that some method was needed to confirm that persons working in transportation and, specifically, in port areas or aboard U.S. vessels did not pose a terrorist threat. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC, was the result.


For private marinas and pleasure boat operators who do not carry passengers or cargo for hire, the impact of this rule is expected to be minimal. Nationwide, there are approximately 150 marinas identified as meeting the applicability standard in the security regulations and, of those, there are fewer than 45 that need to have a Facility Security Plan (FSP) on file with the Coast Guard. These marinas must file an FSP because they perform marine transfers of fuel to vessels with a capacity of 250 barrels or more, maintain fuel storage capacity on the facility in excess of 42,000 gallons, and/or accept vessels that carry passengers for hire. At these remaining facilities, a TWIC would be needed by, at most, the individual(s) who requires unescorted access to restricted (for example, fuel storage areas or the fuel dock) areas or who would be responsible for escorting or monitoring the movements of persons who do not hold TWICs while they are on the facility. It was never intended that private individuals, not engaged in commercial maritime activities, would need a TWIC to move through a marina to their boat.

The TWIC program is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative with joint participation of the U. S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TWIC will be issued to U.S. licensed or documented mariners meaning that all individuals issued a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document must be issued a biometric transportation security card. A TWIC will also be needed by any person who requires unescorted access to the secure areas of regulated port facilities. This would include steamship or stevedoring company employees, longshoremen, and others who need unescorted access on a regulated facility to perform their jobs. Compliance with the TWIC requirements will be phased in for facilities by port based on the enrollment implementation schedule which will be determined as enrollment begins. Professional mariners and commercial vessels need to comply with TWIC provisions by September 26th, 2008, 20 months after rule publication in the Federal Register.

Who Needs a TWIC?	Yes	No
A person responsible for escorting others in a restricted area in a marina?	X
A boat owner moving through a marina and not engaged in commercial activity?		X
A person responsible for monitoring the activity of all employees and visitors (clients)of the marina?	X
A vendor or repairman who does not need access to restricted areas?		X