Our thanks to Tom Hale of SAIL magazine for allowing Cruisers Net to reprint this report from his blog.

Click here for ICW Caution Areas July 2019

The Coast Guard doing what they do so well. Kudos Coast Guard!

Coast Guard Station Pensacola responds to vessel on fire

Coast Guard Station Pensacola assisted Orange Beach Fire Department

Editors’ Note: Click on images to download high resolution version of photos, as well as to view video

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard responded to a vessel that caught fire approximately 4 nautical miles south of Perdido Pass, Alabama, Saturday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report at approximately 2 p.m. that the charter vessel Hoss Fly III was on fire off the coast of Perdido Pass.

All eight passengers aboard were transferred to a good Samaritan vessel. There were no injuries reported.

Sector watchstanders directed the launch of a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Pensacola to assist Orange County Fire Department in the response.

The crew arrived on scene at 2:30 p.m., and the fire was declared extinguished at 2:49 p.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

-USCG-

Great suggestions for boaters to help curb the enormous amount of plastics in our waterways.

3 Simple Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste and Pollution When Boating

From the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water

ANNAPOLIS, Md., July 24, 2019 — Each year, an estimated 18 billion pounds of plastic is dumped into our oceans from coastal regions. According to a study by the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of pollution, there will be more plastics than fish, by weight, in the ocean by 2050. To help reverse this trend, here are three tips from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water to help boaters reduce plastic waste and pollution while on the water.

Pack for the boat trip: Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic, less than 5mm in size, that are the result of larger plastic products partially decomposing from sunlight, heat and wave action. While we haven’t seen the full effects on humans consuming fish and other marine species contaminated with microplastics, studies show that ingested microplastics can seriously damage marine organisms. One of the simplest ways to reduce plastics aboard your boat is to fill up and carry aboard (or stash in a cooler) an insulated container that can hold enough cold water for the day instead of buying individual bottles. Invest in a set of non-breakable plates, cutlery, and food and drink containers to limit single-use plastics aboard. These efforts won’t break the bank, don’t take a lot of extra effort, and can pay big dividends for boaters and the environment in the long-term.

Get your crew involved: Before heading out, provide your crew with a pre-departure briefing and remind them not to put anything overboard. Boats are notoriously windy places, and popular, crowded summer anchorages are particularly prone to wind-driven pollution. When underway, secure possessions as well as any trash below deck or in a storage container. If anything is lost overboard, or if you come across plastic pollution such as a deflated birthday balloon, and conditions permit, it may be a good opportunity — and good practice — for the captain and crew to safely conduct a man-overboard drill to retrieve the item.

Recycle: If your family gets you a fishfinder, a pair of shiny, new boat fenders, or a new boat doodad for your birthday or other event, thank them profusely but unwrap the gift at home and recycle the gift’s packaging if possible. If your marina or boat club doesn’t have a recycling program for plastics and other recyclables, ask about starting one. Ensure all your boating guests know where recyclables go. When fishing, do your best to retrieve fishing line snags, and when respooling, recycle the old line instead of throwing it in the trash.
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