BOATING TIPS -- MAY 1993
New for '93

Happy Opening Day! I hope that all your winter boating projects are done, and that you're prepared for a season of safe boating. 1993 is going to have a great boating season if all of us use common sense and practice safe, respectable and respectful operation of our vessels ...

"A New Marina:" Barlow Bay Marina opens this month of May on the south end of Lopez Island in the corner of MacKaye Harbor. The new facility features 600' of new concrete floats with amenities. You can call them at (206) 468-3469.

"A New Handbook:" "Northern Puget Sound: 1993 Environmental Services Guide for Boaters" has a list of local chandlers and service providers, and shows which of these carries various "environmentally safe" products. You can get a copy at the Club, or if "sold out", at the Harbor office. It is free.

"Another New Handbook:" "Sound Watch : An Environmental Guide for Boaters" has a number of interesting articles on the new, cleaner ways of maintaining and operating your boat. It also has charts showing pumpout stations.

"And a Good Handout:" From the United States Power Squadrons (which do so much for boating education and safety) comes this little quiz:

1) As gasoline fumes lighter than air?

2) Do boats under sail always have the right of way over power boats?

3) Is the portside running light a green light?

4) Is "windward" a direction away from the wind?

5) Do motorboats sound a bell when underway in a fog?

6) Does a "spring line" often help in docking a boat?

7) Would Deviation and Variation be considered compass errors?

8) Are nun buoys usually even numbered and painted red?

9) Is the purpose of the "Navigation Rules" the prevention of a collision?

10) Is a life preserver necessary for every person aboard a pleasure boat?

"Answers:"

1) No. That's why they accumulate in the bilge.

2) No! A sailboat overtaking a powerboat does not have the right of way.

3) No. Port-Red, Starboard-Green.

4) No. Face into the wind, facing windward. Face away from the wind, face leeward.

5) No. A bell is sounded at "anchor"; a horn when underway in fog.

6) Yes.

7) Yes. Deviation is caused by ferrous metals or electricity around the compass. Variation is the difference between magnetic and true North.

8) Usually yes. Can also be striped red and white vertical (mid channel) or red and green horizontal (obstruction or channel junction).

9) Yes. If we obey rules, we won't collide.

10) Yes. Sensible and required by law.

We'll have more next time. Have fun!

All rights reserved. For permission to copy, contact Joe Coons.