"Boating Safety and Related News"
June 2008 Water Safety Task Force
This year as in years past the Water Safety Task Force is hard at work bringing awareness of boating safety to the public.
Spring 2008 Navigator Story
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen (second from right) displays a framed copy of the Coast Guard's new America's Waterway Watch poster. It features a striking waterfront image of the Nashville skyline, Cumberland River, and sternwheeler General Jackson taken by Auxiliary National Photo Corps member Bill Mason (right), ADSO-PA 8 D8ER. Joining them in the Governor's Conference Room at the State Capitol, are Lieutenant Commander Joshua D. McTaggert (left), Commander, USCG Marine Safety Unit Nashville, and Kevin Gallagher, SO-MS 11 D8ER.
National Safe Boating Campaign 50th Anniversary 17 - 23 May, 2008
In concert with partner organizations including the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), United States Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadrons, Canadian Safe Boating Council, and others, the North American Safe Boating Campaign promotes a message of boating safety, encourages boater education, and helps to save lives.
Through press releases, public service announcements (PSA's), informational campaign mailers, and other efforts, the Campaign is able to leverage its partner organizations and the media to reach a wide range of individuals with the message of boating safety. The past fifty years of the campaign have seen change, advancements and, most of all, safer boating. The North American Safe Boating Campaign has come a long way, from modest beginnings to today's nationally recognized efforts. As we keep moving forward, the campaign will continue to emphasize safe boating and the positive outcome of "Wear It!" ! an accomplishment measured by all the lives saved due to the efforts of the partner organizations that work each year to promote National Safe Boating Week and the North American Safe Boating Campaign. This year's National Safe Boating Week is set for 17-23 May 2008! See online: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net
Feb 08: USCG High-Frequency Radio Broadcasts of NWS Marine Weather Forecasts To Continue
https://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/786/191543/ WASHINGTON - Last April the Coast Guard asked for public comment on the need to continue broadcasting high frequency (HF) high seas weather forecasts for single sideband voice, facsimile charts and text messages over radiotelex (e.g. HF NAVTEX). The Coast Guard required public comment because the infrastructure necessary to provide these services had exceeded its life expectancy and significant costs were involved to continue these services. After reviewing and analyzing the substantial public response that overwhelmingly urged the continuation of these services, the Coast Guard's "business case study" concluded that it was necessary to continue HF weather broadcasts. The business case study, "An Impact Assessment of Discontinuing USCG High-Frequency Radio Broadcasts of NWS Marine Weather Forecasts" is posted at: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/high_frequency/HF-WX_notice.htm The study concluded: "The responding public collectively perceives that the USCG HF broadcasts are essential to their safety. There is no viable alternative to the USCG HF broadcasts because present alternatives are perceived by the public to be out of financial reach. Also, marine weather forecasts available through these alternative sources may not guarantee the same level of accuracy, timeliness, and/or sufficiency as provided by the USCG HF broadcasts." While the Coast Guard does not have funds necessary to replace all of its HF transmitters, funds are available to replace the 20 transmitters used for weather broadcasts.
Virtual Voyagers for Old Hickory Lake and Cordell Hull Lake added to this site
Jan 3, 2008
Have you ever daydreamed of taking a cruise on your favorite waterway? In the middle of winter, do you often wish for summer's return just to go boating? If you are like me, an adventure on water is often on your mind. Television shows about fishing, cruising, or traveling are great to have, but seldom cover your favorite local waters, or those far away rivers you've longed to explore.
What if there was a way to pick and choose any Inland Waterway in America, and with the click of a mouse you could start your voyage! Dream no more!! It's here, available, and free to all! Unbelievably, it's even free of pesky advertisements! A local guy (who shall remain nameless) has created a personal website to showcase these Virtual Voyagers or River Viewers. We are fortunate to be able to present you with some of his voyagers adapted for our local waterways, Old Hickory Lake, and Cordell Hull Lake. Be sure and visit our Old Hickory Lake page. You'll be glad you did.
BoatUS MMSI Number Glitch in FCC Radio Licensing System (thanks to Randy)
October 18, 2007
Dear BoatUS MMSI Registrant,
Did you know that you have to change your MMSI number if you want to cruise internationally? Due to a glitch in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing system, your MMSI issued by BoatUS is seen as "invalid" when you choose later to obtain an FCC radio license. BoatUS is trying to fix this problem. In response to a recent FCC Public Notice, we are writing to ask you to tell the FCC to fix their system so boaters can avoid this unneeded inconvenience and cost. Comments are due by November 13, 2007.
Background:
Even though the MMSI VHF radio numbers issued by BoatUS come from the FCC, the FCC's radio licensing system does not accept our MMSI numbers (or those issued by any other private entity) back into their database. This problem occurs when a boater who obtained a number from BoatUS, intended for those boating only on U.S. waters and not needing a license, later decides to cruise to foreign ports and applies for an FCC Ship Station License, as currently required. The BoatUS MMSI numbers are rejected by the FCC, forcing the boater to (1) obtain a new MMSI number from the FCC and (2) go to the trouble and expense of getting their DSC radio reprogrammed with the new number. This often requires sending the radio back to the manufacturer or a service agency with fees. In May, a petition was filed with the FCC to correct this problem by the National GMDSS Implementation Task Force, of which BoatUS is a member.
Current Situation:
The FCC just released a Public Notice on this petition seeking comments from vessel operators on the inconvenience and cost of embedding new MMSI numbers in DSC VHF marine radios. This notice outlines the request, as well as the comment period which ends 11/13/07. Click here to read the notice: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-4212A1.doc
BoatUS Stance:
BoatUS supports streamlining this system, so that boat operators can easily continue to use their MMSI number when they decide to travel internationally, and privately issued numbers are as trouble-free as those issued by the FCC.
What You Can Do:
Please let the FCC know:
- That you want this problem fixed so that privately issued MMSI numbers are "portable," the same policy granted to cell phone users.
- If you have had your own experience trying to use your MMSI number when applying for an FCC license, please include details, especially if there were costs involved in re-programming your radio.
- As more people retire and decide to go cruising, this problem is very likely to get worse. The time to correct it is now.
- The integrity of the U.S. Coast Guard's search and rescue system depends upon boaters properly registering their radios. Any unnecessary problems in doing so will deter people from registering or obtaining a license from the FCC.
Please share this information with your cruising friends and clubs. We look forward to working together to make boating safer and to streamline compliance with government regulations.
Sincerely,
Margaret Podlich - BoatUS Government Affairs
Elaine Dickinson - BoatUS and member of GMDSS Task Force
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
Wolf Creek Dam and Center Hill Dam - The USACE is working feverishly to save these Cumberland River system dams, which are
located upstream
of Old Hickory Lake and Nashville, Tennessee. They have lowered the Wolf Creek lake by 10 feet to ease the pressure at its
base. The average water depth is 90 feet, with over 6 million acre-feet of water impounded. A catastrophic failure
would inundate many towns downstream with little warning to those closest. It is estimated that the flood waters
would fill the lower floor of the TiTans Football stadium in Nashville, and lower Broadway would be flooded up to
4th avenue. This is a serious threat to those living downstream on the Cumberland River.
Use these Q & A links for other concerns:
USACE Wolf Creek Dam & Lake Cumberland Q & A Link
USACE Center Hill Dam & Lake Link
Other great info sources:
Wilson County Emergency Management Agency
WEMA Wolf Creek Dam
Sumner County EMA
The actual flood maps - very slow to load without broad-band service:
Wolfcreek Maps Online
Links:
National Hurricane Center - NOAA
Latest Earthquakes in the USA - USGS
Current US Coast Guard Boating Alerts
What's New - Latest CGAUX Members News!
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Website
Notice to Navigation Interests USACE Nashville District
Floatsam & Jetsam Newsletter PDF - Issue 1 2007
Your Source for Coast Guard News
Maritime News, Maritime Reporter
Signup Form for MarEx Newsletter
Subscription Form for U.S. Coast Guard E-Newsletter
News & Forums - U.S. Coast Guard
