Banner Logo.gif

 Dana Point Boaters Association
Topics:

Join Our Mailing List  

 

Thursday, March 24, 2016
  
 
Follow us on TwitterLike us on Facebook

 
Is ZERO ETHANOL GAS FOR BOATS GOING AWAY?

The organization BOATUS is DPBA's non-affiliated counterpart at the national level.  The link below is to their recent op-ed regarding the possibility of EO (zero ethanol) gasoline going away entirely, at least on the east coast.  While this is far away from Dana Point, local boaters should become informed and prepare to make their voices heard as this soon may be necessary. 

You see, discussion of this legislatively enacted possibility is becoming a hot and trendy political topic, even here in California.  Were this to happen of course, all boaters with gas engines would inevitably experience what can only be described as disastrous consequences.  South Carolina politics aside, the link below is a quick read and an good primer on the issue.

Op-Ed: South Carolina Boats, Presidential Candidates and Ethanol Blended Fuels



HARBOR REVITALIZATION PUBLIC MEETING

As we discussed in our last eNews, an RFQ for the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Private-Public-Partnership (P3) was published on March 16th.  For more background click here.  

Consistent with Orange County 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett's policy of increased public disclosure and participation in the planning and decision making process, OC Dana Point Harbor has announced that a first public meeting is going to be held in the harbor next Thursday, March 31th at the Sailing and Events Center starting at 6 PM.

Below is OC Dana Point Harbor's official meeting announcement.  A bit too small to read?  Click here.


 

HEADS UP DANA POINT BOATERS!

Beginning last weekend, in what was unfortunately a big surprise to some boaters, the deputies at the OC Dana Point Harbor Patrol (OC HP) began quite literally enforcing existing statue that mandates Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) must be available for ALL boaters, including personal watercraft (PWC) operators as well as their passengers, AT ALL TIMES while on the water.

Last Sunday we observed (and personally experienced) many stand up paddlers (SUPs) especially being quite abruptly stopped, sternly warned and/or cited when they didn't have PFDs at hand.

As our readers probably know, DPBA periodically meets with Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Mike Scalise, who is in charge of OC HP day-to-day operations.  We reported a few months ago that Mike had advised that his deputies were encouraging full compliance with the PFD requirement, but back then they were not as yet citing violators.  So earlier this week we exchanged emails which confirmed that the grace period was now over (reportedly because of pressure from outside the harbor) and that the recently increased level of enforcement is going to continue going forward.  Mike also added that he understood that increased policy enforcement may have been inadvertently implemented a bit too heavy-handedly in certain situations over last weekend and he promised he would reinforce his leadership philosophy to work with all boaters as community citizens trying to enjoy our ocean, rather than first off as law breakers.

Regardless, and whatever the circumstances may be here, our most important message is that it makes sense for all boaters, including all PWC operators and especially SUPs, to always have those PFDs on board, and to wear them as appropriate.  (Or else...)

In closing, Mike asked us to pass along a couple of other tips to all vessel skippers:
  1. The boating rules of the road say PWCs have the right away outside the harbor vs. larger recreational vessels.  However, the rules of the road also say exactly the opposite when inside the harbor.  When you think about it, this makes sense as it's all about giving way to those vessels with lesser ability to safely navigate.
  1. There are recommended harbor navigation routes for SUPs and other PWC posted widely around the harbor, as well as handed out with local PWC sale and rental contracts.  Please follow these routes to be safe this Easter holiday weekend as well as during the busy months ahead.
And speaking of Easter, have a happy (and safe) holiday!

Rodger Beard, for the Directors of the Dana Point Boaters Association



SUPPORT YOUR DPBA  
Remember, to keep Dana Point Boaters voice strong, we need your support. 
As Revitalization decisions are now being made on the future of your harbor, do you want your comments and opinions heard?  Do you want a voice in the room to represent YOU?  If so, please help by making a donation to your Dana Point Boaters Association by clicking here!
.

Thank You
 
At the Dana Point Boaters Association, our mission is to advocate for the preservation, enhancement, and expansion of affordable recreational boating.  We strive to improve the family-friendly atmosphere and breadth of water-oriented activities we all enjoy in our harbor.  As Dana Point boater advocates, our strength comes from your support and participation.  We are proud of the achievements we've made together on behalf of our boating community, and we won't give up.  But we can't do it without you.
Questions should be directed by email to (Officers).  Or call us at (949) 485-5656 and leave a voice mail and we'll get back to you soon.
 
Dana Point Boaters Association
P.O. Box 461
Dana Point, CA  92629
http://www.danapointboaters.org
    
Mission Statement
 
The Dana Point Boaters Association advocates the preservation, enhancement, and expansion of affordable recreational boating resources.  We work to improve the family friendly atmosphere and breadth of water-oriented actives we all enjoy in the harbor.  We serve as the watchdog by ethically protecting the rights of all boaters and representing them when collective action is most effective.  We actively gather information and communicate our views to educate boaters, external interests, and public officials.  We build and maintain constructive, working relationships to achieve common goals with other harbor stakeholders.  We will pass on our harbor to the next generation of recreational boaters in better condition than it is today.