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Cruising Life
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How To Be Safe on the Fourth on Your Boat

Here are some very good tips from BoatUS about how to enjoy the Fourth on your boat: ANNAPOLIS, Md., June 24, 2024 – According to the nationwide TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet, the busiest time of the year for America’s recreational boat owners is, hands down, the Fourth of July holiday period, which typically includes some days before and after the official holiday. It also may be the longest time many boaters will spend the day on the water at anchor, enjoying fireworks shows, fishing holes and raft-ups. Are they ready? The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has…

Cruising Life
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NOAA: Larger Dead Zone in the Gulf

Here’s some sobering news from NOAA: NOAA is forecasting an above-average summer “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico covering approximately 5,827 square miles — an area roughly the size of Connecticut. The dead zone, or hypoxic area, is an area of low oxygen that can kill fish and other marine life. It occurs every summer and is primarily a result of excess nutrient pollution from human activities in cities and farm areas throughout the Mississippi-Atchafalaya watershed. The average dead zone measurement is 5,205 square miles over the 37-year period of record. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides Mississippi and…

Cruising Life
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How To Prepare for a Hurricane

Here’s some great advice about how to prepare your boat for a hurricane. These tips are from Outer Reef Yachts, but they apply to all boats, no matter who made them. Take a look: The hurricane season brings unpredictable challenges that can greatly impact our coastal communities and boating activities. It is vital that we take necessary precautions and make informed decisions to minimize risks and potential damages. With our commitment to your safety, Outer Reef Yacht encourages all boaters to remain vigilant, plan ahead, and follow recommended safety guidelines during this period. To assist you in your preparedness journey,…

Cruising Life
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New Study: The Orcas Are Just Bored

All those orcas ramming and sinking boats are just bored? Well, that’s the conclusion of a new study as reported in a thorough story about the attacks in USA Today: For the last five years, killer whales have been ramming – and in some cases sinking – expensive yachts, fishing boats and motorboats in the crystalline waters off the coast of Spain, Portugal, France and Morocco. Why has been a mystery – until recently. A multinational group of orca experts that met in February and were sponsored by the governments of Spain and Portugal has released a report outlining why…

Cruising Life
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More Hurricanes Coming: NOAA

Here’s some sobering news from NOAA about this year’s hurricane season: NOAA National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season. NOAA is forecasting a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 8 to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of…

Gear
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Spring Commissioning Checklist from BoatUS

It’s that time of year again; your boat is calling, and it’s time to get ready for a new season. Here’s a thorough spring commissioning checklist from BoatUS to help you get underway:  Before You Launch Check the condition of antifouling paint and repaint if necessary. Inspect all hose clamps for rust and replace as necessary. Double clamp fuel lines and exhaust hoses with marine-rated stainless-steel hose clamps. While not technically required, it’s wise to double clamp whenever possible on all hoses — especially those below the waterline. Inspect all hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and cracking, and replace any…

Cruising Life
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How To Avoid Underwater Hazards

Do you recognize these hazards to safe navigation? Here’s some great advice from Skipper Tips about how to recognize underwater objects that could sink your boat: Can you look at a paper or electronic navigational chart and identify dangerous submerged piles, posts, or stakes? Hazards like these can damage your costly hull, keel, rudder, or propeller. Use these navigation tips for safer sailing worldwide. Look to Section K in Chart No. 1 to know what these symbols and abbreviations look like on your chart. This vital section deals with Rocks, Wrecks, Obstructions and Aquaculture. And indeed, dangers like these are…

Cruising Life
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NOAA Outlook: Warmer Spring, Some Flooding

Here is NOAA’s new weather forecast for the spring: Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service — predict above-average temperatures for most of the Continental U.S. and Alaska, as part of NOAA’s Spring Outlook released today for April through June. Meanwhile, NOAA’s National Water Center predicts a lower-than-average flood risk across the entire country, due in part to historically low winter snow cover across the Upper Great Plains and western U.S. “Climate change is affecting the timing, intensity and duration of weather events in the United States,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.…

Cruising Life
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Heading Offshore? Rent an EPIRB from BoatUS

There’s no doubt that an EPIRB could save your life if you have a problem while cruising offshore. But new ones are expensive. BoatUS now offers an affordable program where you can rent one for $65 a week, plus $25 for shipping. Read about it here: SPRINGFIELD, Va., March 25, 2024 – The majority of the nation’s nearly 12 million recreational boaters don’t often travel far offshore, beyond cellular or VHF range. But for those who only do on a rare occasion, having an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is important, allowing you to summon rescuers if there’s a…

Cruising Life
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How To Use Nav Aid Sound Signals

Here’s some great advice from Skipper Tips that could help you navigate safely in fog or reduced visibility:  Imagine you’re cruising on a fogbound coast in New England, the Great Lakes or the West Coast. You see a note on your chart that tells you that you can trigger a fog signal on a lighthouse nearby. Follow these three easy steps. Mariner Radio Activated Sound Signals (MRASS) gives the skipper more control over aids to navigation fog signals. If you see the chart abbreviation MRASS in the description of an aid, you can use your radio to trigger the sound…

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