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    • BoatUS News: Ice and Freeze Coverage?

      Boat U.S.Icing and freezing conditions are often overlooked here in the Southeast, but Virginia and North Carolina can attest to the real possibility of such occurrence in an extremely cold winter, as predicted for 2015-16 by some weather forecasters. BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boater safety on all waters and SSECN is proud to have BoatUS as a SPONSOR!

      NEWS From BoatUS
      Boat Owners Association of The United States
      880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

      Boaters in northern states may want to look at adding freeze coverage to their boat insurance policies, especially if the boat is stored inside and there is no generator to back up winter power.

      Boaters in northern states may want to look at adding freeze coverage to their boat insurance policies, especially if the boat is stored inside and there is no generator to back up winter power.

      Boaters: Should You Add Ice and Freeze Coverage to Your Boat Policy Now?

      Inexpensive Option Good for DIYers, Winter Trailerboaters

      ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 24, 2015 — Many boat owners think they don’t have to worry about freeze damage if they live in temperate states or if they keep their boat in an indoor, heated storage area in Northern climates. But they may want to rethink that. Every year, the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) Marine Insurance Program gets freeze damage insurance claims for boats in Southern states hit by a hard freeze, and claims for boats stored indoor in Northern states where storms took out the electrical power ‘“ which usually means no heat. So the first rule of winter storage for any boat is to winterize properly.

      Even then, small winterizing mistakes like not draining all of the areas of the engine raw water system can easily destroy an engine. For that reason, BoatUS says ice and freeze coverage may also be a smart option for do-it-yourselfers who want peace of mind, or for trailer boaters who store their boat in a heated garage or travel between warm and cold states.

      Typically offered as a policy `rider’ to boats stored in northern climates, it’s inexpensive ‘“BoatUS offers the add-on coverage for as low as $20. However, there is a deadline to purchase this coverage as most insurers don’t offer it once temperatures get cold, usually the end of October.

      BoatUS says the good news is that boats in warmer, temperate states often have this feature added to their policy automatically, but boaters should check with their insurer.

      For more information on boat insurance or ice and freeze coverage, go to www.BoatUS.com/insurance or call 800-283-2883.

      ###

      About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):

      BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.

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    • Cape Coral Cruises Club Visits Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, Matanzas Pass, Gulf Coast


      Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina

      This fine group of boaters, made up of overnight cruisers from the Cape Coral area, is a cruising club worth following as they visit marinas along the West Coast. Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, overlooks the westerly banks of the Mantanzas Pass channel, west of marker #13.

      CAPE CORAL CRUISE CLUB CRUISES TO PINK SHELL MARINA
      By John Queen, Vice-Commodore, Cape Coral Cruise Club

      Each month, the Cape Coral Cruise Club takes a scheduled cruise to a different marina in SW Florida and stays for several days enjoying the area’s amenities and hospitality. We do that nine times a year along with an extended cruise each Spring. We take a break during the summer months of July and August as many members leave the area. However, sometimes a marina offers the Club a special off-season discounted rate to visit their marina.
      That happened when the Pink Shell Marina and Resort in Fort Myers Beach offered the Club an attractive discounted rate for staying at its marina during the month of August. I won’t say how low the offer was, but it was certainly an offer we couldn’t refuse. So, it was decided to organize an unofficial cruise to the marina for any interested Club members.
      Unofficially, nine boats made the trip, and this article is the unofficial account of that trip. Over the days of August 20th to 23rd we scheduled this cruise to arrive Thursday and depart on Sunday so that some members who may work during the week could join the fun.006
      Eight boats arrived Thursday, and one boat arrived Friday. The marina either coincidentally or intentionally assigned us slips that resulted in all boats being lined up from the smallest to the largest as you walked down the dock. Yellow Club burgees flew on the bow of each boat sporting our club mascot – a dolphin holding a drink of some sort (an adult beverage, I would surmise). After safely docking Thursday, sixteen club members convened in the late afternoon for cocktails, snacks and conversation.
      For dinner, we had CIFO’s. (Circular Italian Food Objects). 5 large pizzas were picked up and we dined in the Pink Shell conference room provided by the resort. After dinner, I hosted a game of Jeopardy created on my laptop and projected onto the wall. Special categories such as `Local Waters’ and `Cape Coral History’ were developed. (For example, are you aware that the first traffic signal in Cape Coral was placed at the intersection of Cape Coral Pkwy and Coronado in 1969?)
      On Friday, we again provided members breakfast, and then everyone went off to enjoy the pool, Ft. Myers beach, or other amenities around the resort. I decided to join several friends at the pool which was not heated, nor needed to be. After being in the pool for several minutes, I recalled my new iPhone was with me in its water proof case. It was checked for calls and, to my utter dismay, found that the `water proof’ case was not so water proof. Yikes! So much for making phone calls the rest of the week.DSC_0009 (1)
      For Friday night, a group dinner was arranged at Matanzas Inn Restaurant in Fort Myers Beach and eighteen boaters along with fifteen other Club members who arrived by land yacht, converged on the restaurant at 6:00 PM. Since we had a small crowd of 33, the manager had reserved the back area of the restaurant so that we could all dine together. It was great to see so many club members show up. Everyone was anxious to catch up on life’s happenings since we had not been together for a month or so. We also celebrated one member’s birthday. Well, not on that day specifically, but the same date of many, many years prior. You know what I mean.
      On Saturday, we again fed the boaters breakfast and then sent everyone off to enjoy the day. Saturday was pretty much an ‘˜on your own’ day, so we didn’t have much planned as far as club activities. Fortunately, Mother Nature was quite cooperative during the time we stayed at the marina and our need for umbrellas was minimal. However, her hot days reminded us that we were indeed in southwest Florida in the middle of August.DSC_0037
      On Sunday morning we cast off lines and headed for home ports. Much appreciation goes to Dave O’Conner, the Dockmaster at Pink Shell Resort and Marina. His hospitality and special accommodation to the Cape Coral Cruise Club made this unofficial cruise officially happen!
      The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina

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    • Help Requested to Report Sightings of Diamondback Terrapins

      You can help, especially if you do any anchoring or shore exploring between Canaveral and Miami.

      turtle

       

      MELBOURNE, Fla. – A zoo in Brevard County needs your help tracking the East Coast Diamondback terrapins, a unique subspecies that lives along Florida’s Atlantic coast.

      The Brevard Zoo wants everyone from the Space Coast to Miami to report sightings to them.

      The terrapins are usually found in brackish coastal waters like the Indian River Lagoon.

      Click here to send sightings along with pictures and GPS coordinates.

      The zoo said the project will help biologists identify critical habitat and road-kill “hot spots”.

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    • Praise for Waterside Marina, AICW Mile Zero, Norfolk, VA


      Located in downtown Norfolk on the east side of the Elizabeth River just opposite Portsmouth, this marina is a slight bit south of ICW mile marker zero. It is next to the Waterside Festival Marketplace, Town Point Park and the Battleship Wisconsin and Nauticus exhibits. As Skipper Bell points out, there are many excellent restaurants and stores nearby.

      Enjoyed our stay at Waterside Marina. John, the dock master, helped us in and brought us up to speed on what was happening locally and with the weather moving in. This is one of our favorite stop overs. Newer floating docks, protected from wakes, both 30 & 50 amp electric, two story indoor mall just three blocks away and they will provide transportation to provision. Lots to see and do in Norfolk.
      Dave Bell

      Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Waterside Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Norfolk Waterfront and Waterside Marina

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    • More Shoaling Reported at Lockwoods Folly/AICW Intersection, Statute Mile 321


      Skipper Price’s experience confirms earlier reports, /?p=149149, we had in June. Advice at that time was to favor the red side. The intersection of the ICW and Lockwoods Folly has been a Problem Stretch for years and requires almost annual dredging. Mid to high tide is recommended for passage.

      Just an FYI in case the word has not gotten to you guys but Lockwoods Folly Inlet is very shoaled up already. I know of one fellow boater that ran aground there about 30 days ago and I have been thru there twice myself in a boat that draws 4.5’ at a little past mid tide and rising. My depth finder showed 2.5’ under my keel. I could not go thru there at low tide!
      Bob Price

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Lockwoods Folly Inlet Intersection

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

      Comments from Cruisers (3)

      1. Wally Moran -  October 6, 2015 - 6:54 pm

        The USACE advised me a few years ago to transit this inlet, and Shallottes to the south of it, with the reds close at hand. I just went through both of these ten days ago – no issues, Lockwoods showed a minimum of about 8 feet as I recall at MLW – those finding less are quite likely not in the channel.

        Reply to Wally
      2. Tracy Hellman -  September 23, 2015 - 9:08 am

        Cruise as close to red markers as possible. That is where the deep water is located.

        Reply to Tracy
        • Dean Dawes -  September 25, 2015 - 2:28 pm

          Just came through this area (unfortunately due to a delay at low tide). 4.5 draft got hung up when I turned toward the Green. Hug the Red side, and stay away from the Green. Saw a few similar draft vessels get through on the red side without issue. Floated off after 20 mins, a useful lunch break.

          Reply to Dean
    • Grounding and Possible Shoaling at AICW Statute Mile 210, Bogue Sound


      Skipper Crenshaw’s grounding occurred in a long narrow channel through the wide waters of Bogue Sound, south of Morehead City. There are charted shoals showing outside the channel to the south opposite Marker #8 and these may have begun to encroach on the channel. If so, Skipper Crenshaw’s advice to favor the red side is certainly a good one. Thank you Bob for sharing your experience.

      I was on ICW headed south in Morehead city toward Wrightsville Beach Sunday September 20 about 10:45 am on rising tide. We have 42 foot trawler with 4 foot draft.
      We were at MM 210 running about 10 to 12 Knots and were at least 5+ feet inside markers between green marker 7 and marker 9 and went hard aground and boat stopped immediately , my depth indicator was showing2-3 feet. We were able to get off after about 15 minutes .
      Would recommend any boat favor the red side markers, where there appears to be plenty of water around this MM.
      Bob Crenshaw
      42 Trawler 4 foot draft.

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Statute Mile 210

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Sam Scudder -  October 2, 2015 - 2:45 pm

        Just to clarify the post, the ICW runs east/west through Bogue Sound, and the shoaling is on the south side of the channel opposite Red #8, not east as in the description of the post. [Posting corrected.]

        Reply to Sam
    • A Good Stop at Tidewater Yacht Agency, AICW Statute Mile 0, Portsmouth, VA


      The Skippers Herl begin their Waterway run with a stop at Portsmouth and we look forward to their voyage reports as they motor south. Tidewater Yacht Agency in Portsmouth, VA, is located on the west side of Town Point Reach in the Norfolk harbor, hard by Mile Zero, and has served many Waterway cruisers as a jumping-off point for their voyage “down the ditch.”

      Portsmouth, VA
      9/15/15, Arrived at the Tidewater Marina in Portsmouth, Va. Had a long day over nine hours but a beautiful run, very pleasant.
      This also marks the beginning of our trip south.
      Were able to get an Rx filled and to walk in town and visit some of the shops.
      Also were able to get a pumpout and top off the fuel at a good price.($2.20) though after we left Portsmouth we did see better prices, oh well whats $.10 a gal.
      Sandy and Phil Herl

      Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Tidewater Yacht Agency

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Tidewater Yacht Agency

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    • Praise for the Food at Coinjock Marina, Coinjock, NC, AICW Statute Mile 49


      As Skipper Herl relates, Coinjock Marina, on the eastern bank of the Waterway, offers more than just good marina services, but delicious food as well! And sometimes that makes a big difference in where we tie up.

      Coinjock running south
      Aaaah Coinjock again, I’m not sure why, but I like Coinjock. It was a good run,we had no problems with the bridges or the lock and trafic both northbound and southbound was light.
      Oh, I know why I like Coinjock. It’s the food. I had a Reuben the first time and It was one of the best. This time we had their famous Prime Rib and it was outstanding, melt in your mouth and we could not eat it all. And we just had the Mate size not the Captains. It was great with all the fixins.
      Phil and Sandy Herl

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Coinjock Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Coinjock Marina

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Capt Larry Weiss -  September 25, 2015 - 7:04 pm

        Whether on my own boat or a delivery, have made this a required stop for more than 20 years. Lots of places claim they have the best prime rib in he world but this is it!!!

        Reply to Capt
    • FOCUS ON Port Royal Landing Marina


      Port Royal Landing Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is a perfect example of true Southern hospitality and of a marina family that cares about boaters! Port Royal Landing Marina guards the western banks of Beaufort River just south of marker #244.

      Port Royal Landing Marina welcomes you and your crew!pics (1)
      The delightful hospitality that you find in the Low Country of South Carolina is often referred to as “The Royal Treatment” here at Port Royal Landing Marina. Our staff is available and anxious to do everything we can to exceed your expectations of quality and service. It is our goal to make your stay at PRLM the most pleasant marina experience you have on your trip. We intend to be the standard by which you judge all other marinas along the waterway.
      CLICK HERE for a video introduction to Port Royal Landing Marina.

      Royal Treatment
      Slow down, sit back, and relax. Stay another day or two. Enjoy the surrounding historic area, our facilities, and our service. Take advantage of our location between the two historic towns of Beaufort and Port Royal. Get a large dose of that Low Country “Royal Treatment” and we believe you too will find us habit forming!
      Problems? Let one of our knowledgeable staff members help. We can’t solve them all, but when we cannot, we will make every effort to find someone who can.
      CLICK HERE for bios of the Port Royal Landing Marina Staff

      Historic Port Royal and Beaufortbattle-of-port-royal-island
      When berthed at our marina, you are surrounded by history. Jean Ribaut sailed into the Port Royal Sound in 1562 and wrote to his sponsors in France that there was “no fairer no fitter place.” His way of saying “it just doesn’t get any better than this.” He liked the area enough that he established the village of Port Royal that same year. Beaufort is a relative newcomer, chartered much later in 1711. Today, these two historic towns are separated only by the width of a sign post at the Burger King on Ribaut Road, which runs through both towns. This entire area is known for some of the finest hospitality in the South. We will be glad to make dinner reservations for you or to provide information on any of the many attractions in our area.
      bombarding_of_port_royal_sc (1)There are many magnificent antebellum homes along the water and on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort- some of which are open to the public, such as the John Mark Verdier House. Even those that are not open to the public are still worth a trip by foot, bicycle, tour bus, horse drawn carriage, or our courtesy car to take a look at their magnificent pre-civil war construction. The area, and specifically some of these homes, has been host to a number of award-winning movies such as Forrest Gump, The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, and The Great Santini (The last two were written by local author Pat Conroy). In fact, in the closing scene of The Prince of Tides, our marina can be seen as Nick Nolte rides over the adjacent bridge. In addition to the antebellum homes, there are several pre-civil war churches, the Beaufort Museum, fine antique stores, horse and buggy rides in the downtown area, tabby ruins at Old Sheldon Church and Dataw Island. Beaufort also features Hunting Island State Park, Parris Island, and the Penn Center, where the native Gullah traditions and language are preserved and nurtured. We will be glad to give you directions, provide you with maps, lend you the courtesy car, or drive you downtown to get started.

      On-site Facilities:face_dock
      Ship’s Store– Located landside, you will find our ship’s store stocked with many marine items that you may need. We are a Land-N-Sea overnight order center. Should we not have what you need in stock, our 25,000+ item catalog probably does. Orders in by 3:00 PM are delivered around noon the next day with no freight charge to you. Deliveries are made Tuesday through Friday.
      Courtesy Car– The marina has a courtesy car available for your convenience. It is available for short trips in the area during normal marina hours. ATM machines, grocery stores, pharmacies, auto parts stores, medical facilities, banks, churches, golf courses, and shopping in downtown Beaufort or Port Royal are all just a short ride from the marina. We can provide you with a map and directions to any of these locations.
      Dock Carts– For ease in moving those supplies up and down our pier and docks, we have available a number of dock carts for your use. Also, if you need some additional hauling power, we can help with one of our golf carts. Just let us know!
      Shower and Restroom Facilities– Clean, code secured, well-lit showers and restroom facilities are located adjacent to the ship’s store. Detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and other toilet articles are available in the ship’s store for purchase.
      Laundromat– We have an on-site laundry facility open twenty four hours for your convenience.
      The Back Porch Grille– Also landside, you will find the Back Porch Grille, our own little taste of waterway Marina3 (1)America. They serve what according to many of our repeat customers is the best cheeseburger on the ICW. A menu is included in your welcome package and we hope that you will give it a try. A ten percent discount is available for our visiting boaters. There is usually live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. The food is good, the service fair, the beverages cold, and the clientele… well, they are a study in themselves. The Back Porch Grille opens daily at 11:00 AM (opens at 4:00 PM on Mondays) and the food is available until 9:00 PM (or later with notice.) The bar closes around midnight, and it can be an adventure. Stop in and give it a try.
      Thank you for staying with us, best wishes, and safe passage. Please let us know what you have seen along the waterway that we might use to improve your next stay.

      Just a walk or short bike ride away:

      Food & Beverage
      .4 miles………….Hardee’s: breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and fried chicken
      .5 miles………….Agave: Mexican grill (authentic Mexican cuisine)
      .6 miles………….Piggly Wiggly: grocery store
      .6 miles………….ABC Wine & Spirits: beer, liquor and wine
      .45 miles……….Alvin Ord’s: fresh made sandwiches and taco salads, etc.
      .45 miles……….CJ Seafood Express: fresh seafood market (shrimp, fish, crab, etc.)

      Cypress Wetlands Boardwalk

      Cypress Wetlands Boardwalk

      .76 miles……….Mizu Japanese Restaurant: hibachi steakhouse and   sushi
      .7 miles………….Port Royal Farmers Market: local produce and         various fresh foods. Saturdays 8-12pm
      .8 miles………….Pizza Hut: dine in and delivery pizza
      .9 miles………….Carolina Tavern: wings & ribs sports bar
      1.6 miles……….Smokin Planks: family owned and operated BBQ and Smokehouse
      1.6 miles……… 4 Island Pizza: take out & delivery only
      1.9 miles……….La Nopalera Restaurant: Mexican food
      1.1 miles……….Red Rooster Café: breakfast & lunch meals Monday   through Saturday
      1.7 miles……….11th Street Dockside Seafood Restaurant: overlooking shrimp docks on Port Royal Sound
      1.9 miles……….Moon Doggies Café & Grill: great American food meets Southern hospitality
      1.9 miles……….Athenian Gardens: authentic Greek dishes with American friendly options
      1.9 miles……….City Java: local coffee shop, breakfast & lunch
      2.7 miles……….Publix: grocery store
      2.8 miles……….Rancho Grande restaurant: Mexican food
      2.8 miles……….Island Meat Market: Family owned market with full selection of prime cut meats
      2.8 miles……….Bill’s Liquor: great selection of craft beer, premium liquor and fine wines
      Medical Care & PharmacyOld Spanish Fort Beaufort, SC
      .4 miles.………..CVS Pharmacy
      .4 miles………….Doctor’s Care Medical Facility
      .8 miles………….US Naval Hospital
      1.7 miles………..Keyserling Cancer Center
      1.85 miles………Dentists & Family Doctors, etc.
      1.9 miles………..Beaufort Memorial Hospital
      Other Businesses & Services
      .4 miles…………Citgo Service Station
      .4 miles…………Advance Auto Parts
      .5 miles…………Ferguson Enterprises: plumbing, bath, kitchen & lighting
      .6 miles…………West Marine
      .6 miles…………MCAS Credit Union & ATM
      .6 miles………..Music Cooperative: Instrument sales, service and lessons
      .75 miles………CAPA’s Closet: thrift store benefiting abused children and child abuse prevention
      1 mile…………..Roy’s Aquarium: pets & supplies
      2.8 miles………Grayco Hardware & Home: family owned hardware and home goods store

      Thank you for staying with us, best wishes, and safe passage. Please let us know what you have seen along the waterway that we might use to improve your next stay.

      CLICK HERE for a feature on Pat Conroy’s 69ft yacht, The Prince of Tides

      Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Port Royal Landing Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Port Royal Landing Marina

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    • Cost of Pumpouts in Florida to be Possibly Paid by Boaters

      As local commissioners struggle to fund the current free pumpout service, it becomes apparent that those costs may soon transfer to boaters, as reported in the article below by Kevin Wadlow in KeysInfoNet.com.

      Boat sewage pumpout costs likely to be assessed on the boaters
      BY KEVIN WADLOW
      A boat-pumpout program launched to protect Florida Keys nearshore waters from sewage discharges stands as a model for the state, but state funding for the program is drying up.

      Money from the state’s Clean Vessel Act “dropped significantly this year,” Monroe County Marine Resources administrator Rich Jones told county commissioners Wednesday at their Key Largo meeting.
      Local contractor Pumpout USA “had a lot of trouble making ends meet this year,” Jones said.
      Monroe County in 2015 will spend about $367,000 on the program, with the state funding around $319,000 toward an estimated 18,000 vessel sewage pumpouts.
      The county’s share works out to $21.10 per pumpout. Overall, average total per-pumpout cost is about $40, down from $55.70 in 2014.
      The state Department of Environmental Protection now seeks “throughout the state to build sustainable pumpout programs, using Monroe County’s pumpout program as a model,” Jones said in a report to commissioners.
      To reduce the number of illegal sewage discharges in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary waters, the pumpouts are offered free of charge to boaters. However, commissioners have urged staff to work toward some type of fee system for boaters.
      “I am concerned about the long-term viability of free pumpouts,” Commissioner Heather Carruthers said. “We can’t count on the state for anything.”
      Commissioner Sylvia Murphy said her office receives “a constant supply of comments” from land residents “who pay for sewage” while anchored liveaboard residents “are not paying taxes or rent or anything else, and we’re paying for their sewage.”
      “I like doing something to keep sewage from going in the bay or ocean but sooner or later we’re going to get on the stick and make them pay,” Murphy said.
      Pumpouts are mandatory inside local managed anchoring areas, where Jones said compliance “is close to 100 percent.”
      Commissioners asked about extending the pumpout requirement to all nearshore Keys waters, but questions about jurisdiction and enforcement were cited as potential obstacles. Staff is “looking at any and all alternatives,” Jones said.

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    • BoatUS News: Guide to Winterizing Your Boat

      Boat U.S.

      While we here in the warm southeast normally do not concern ourselves with winterization, folks in Virginia and North Carolina had harsh icing and freezing last winter and some are forecasting another cold winter this year. BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boater safety on any waterway and we are proud to have them as SPONSORS!

      NEWS From BoatUS
      Boat Owners Association of The United States
      880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

      Unlike this vessel, boats that are properly winterized are most likely to enter next year's boating season without damage and ready to hit water (credit: Jack Hornor).

      Unlike this vessel, boats that are properly winterized are most likely to enter next year’s boating season without damage and ready to hit water (credit: Jack Hornor).

       

      No-Cost `Boater’s Guide To Winterizing’ Offered by BoatUS

      ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 16, 2015 — Water expands in volume by about nine percent when it freezes, creating a staggering force that can crack a boat engine block, damage fiberglass, split hoses, or destroy a boat’s refrigeration system overnight. As cold weather approaches, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) dug into its claims data and found that more than three-quarters of winter-related claims involved cracks in the engine block or the exhaust manifolds. Now, the national boating services, safety and advocacy group has available at no-cost a 15-page `Boater’s Guide to Winterizing‘ that can ensure boaters don’t miss a step for any type of boat.

      `Boaters up North know they need to winterize, so their freeze claims almost always involve poor winterizing,’ said BoatUS Director of Technical Services Beth Leonard. `In the temperate South, the issue can be a case of no winterizing, or relying on a heater when the electricity goes off, usually when you need it most.’

      The downloadable brochure addresses the reasons for more than 95 percent of the freeze claims handled by the BoatUS Marine Insurance Program in the past decade. Included are chapters on: Storing your boat – The options and the tradeoffs; a Winterizing Checklist to use as the starting point for creating your own boat’s winterizing list; Engines and Drives – The dos and don’ts; and Plumbing – Getting the water out, which is great for larger boats.

      Additional information includes tips on choosing antifreeze, lessons learned from BoatUS Consumer Affairs about protecting yourself with a winterization contract, and green winterizing information.

      The checklist is available at www.BoatUS.com/winterizingguide.

      ###

      About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):

      BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.

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