Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Nonprofit to develop competitive grant program to fund removal of abandoned, derelict vessels. Includes prevention and education measures. Boats end up abandoned or derelict on our nation's coasts for several reasons. Irresponsible owners abandon vessels when they can no longer afford to care for them or pay for their disposal. Poorly maintained, "at risk" anchored boats combined with the increasing frequency and severity of storms leave shorelines littered with wrecks after each hurricane. A... Full story
Although the heat continues to scorch the Desert Southwest, the good times ahead remind us of all the cool events Arizona has to offer. Soon, Lake Pleasant will revel in the sounds of western music at the September "Countryfest". Best Fest In The West - Come Celebrate Country At the same time, hunters will eagerly be hitting the countryside for the ever-popular dove-hunting season. And, as the cooler temperatures finally arrive, there are ideal times to visit some of the state's lakes (which... Full story
By Cameron MacLaren Long Beach Yacht Club is preparing for their annual US Sailing sanctioned International Safety at Sea course February 17-18, 2024. Participants may choose acomplete in-person two-day course; or a hands-on (Sunday only) course AFTER they've completed the 15 module online course, or a refresher / update if they've completed a sanctioned International course within the last 10 years. An impressive line up of seasoned and experienced presenters are scheduled to conduct the... Full story
Protect your crew and you while boating in severe heat. As the country continues to bake under record high temperatures, boaters often head to the water for respite. However, some may be unprepared for what it takes to withstand a high-heat day. Here are five tips from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water that can help ensure everyone's safety as temperatures climb. 1. Create shade. Direct sunlight can make the air feel 10- to 15 degrees warmer. Reduce the time you... Full story
Protect yourself and your guests - It's still hot! And September doesn't look like it's going to be much cooler. As a matter of fact, many areas in the Southwest – especially the Phoenix area of the Northern Sonora Desert are generally much warmer than other areas of the country. Unseasonably Hot Both Southern and Northern California, Utah, Southern Nevada, in fact the entire lower Colorado basin is definitely unseasonably hot. This is the hottest summer on record since the National Weather s... Full story
Summer boating season is in full swing and you've been enjoying your time on the water. Has it all been good so far? Maybe you've found yourself in a situation where, perhaps, you felt less-than-confident behind the wheel, or simply got a sense that something didn't feel safe. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has the fix for that: Taking a free online boating safety course can help make you feel good behind the helm – prepared, more confident, and able to handle situation... Full story
California Governor Newsom's 2024 Budget Proposes 300% Boat Registration Fee Increase Boaters currently pay $107 million in annual motor fuel taxes; revenue increase won't fund recreational boating needs. SACRAMENTO, Calif. -The nation's largest recreational boat owners advocacy, services and safety group Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), and the nonprofit state advocacy organization Recreational Boaters of California (RBOC), are asking Golden State boat owners to speak up o... Full story
Recreational Fishing and Boating Community Opposes Vessel Speed Restrictions In The Gulf of Mexico, Calls for Collaboration in Conserving Rice's Whales The leading organizations representing recreational fishing and boating in the United States have urged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to reject a petition to establish a year-round 10-knot (11 mph) vessel speed limit and other vessel-related measures in the Rice's whale "core" habitat area in the Gulf of Mexico. The... Full story
Years ago, when I was in my home town of Yakima, Wash., my dad gave my husband and me tickets to see Louis Armstrong. He was marvelous, and I still remember his singing "Summer time and the livin' is easy; fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high ... ". In fact, as I read the fishing stories that come across my desk, I can still hear Armstrong's fantastic rendition of "Summertime". Here in Arizona, the fish are definitely "jumpin", and there are great reports available from those who know:... Full story
Monsoon weather is just around the corner, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) cautions boaters, anglers and off-highway vehicle (OHV) users that weather conditions can quickly change and become dangerous for those who aren't prepared. The severity of monsoon storms varies greatly, from a minor dust storm to a violent thunderstorm capable of producing hail, deadly lightning and flash flooding. "Arizona is known for its often unbearable summer heat; it's also known for great places... Full story
Not surprising that if you "know" the navigation rules on the waterway upon which you're boating, it's easy to spot those that don't. In fact, many boaters don't even know they exist, let alone what they are and that we are all legally responsible to know and understand them. Part of the reason there's confusion is that unless you've completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety education course or you've "heard" about the NAV Rules somewhe... Full story
To maximize fun and safety while towing a waterskier, make sure everyone on board knows these simple hand signals for communication. By Chris Landers BoatU.S.Magazine Contributing Writer 1. Faster: Thumb up 2. Slower: Thumb down 3. Go right, go left: Point right, point left 4. We're turning around: Driver's or spotter's arm up, pointing, making circles 5. Make another loop: Skier's arm up, pointing, making circles 6. I'm finished and letting go of tow rope: Skier uses a hand to simulate "slice... Full story
To keep the public safe from watercraft-related accidents this upcoming Fourth of July weekend, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and partner agencies will increase patrols on Arizona’s waterways from July 1-3 during Operation Dry Water. This nationwide campaign focuses on decreasing the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities, and educating recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence. Law enforcement officers will remove dangerous and im... Full story
It never fails – every time I’m on the water, be it on a powerboat, and sailboat or paddling I always hear a boater doing a radio check. And frequently, others demonstrating their total lack of understanding on proper radio procedure by engaging in two-minute plus conversations on channel 16 while everyone else listens in –- not unlike the person speaking loudly on their cell phone in a restaurant.Many apparently justdon’t understand, or have not taken the time to learn how to properly use their... Full story
Non-boat owner friends often comment just after boarding our boat in San Diego about the traffic on our VHF marine radio offering up the latest weather information. More than one frequently remark about what a beautiful day it is – so what's up with the weather concern? Capt Debbie and I are quick to remind them that while the sun may be shinning now and the breeze is gentle, the Southern California coastal weather can change rapidly. And we take advantage of the moment to educate our guests t... Full story
On Boating Season's Kickoff BoatUS Reminds Boaters to Avoid a Misfuel Mishap 'Regular 88,' an E15 fuel, is prohibited for use in recreational boats. Today's gas station pumps no longer provide clear and transparent information to help consumers make the right fuel choice. Dispensing pumps have become a marketer's dream, chock full of attention-grabbing video screens blasting amplified sound that visually plaster a captive audience with a mishmash of eye-catching advertisements from two-for-one... Full story
AZGFD Cautions Boaters, Anglers, OHV Users During Monsoon Monsoon Awareness Week is June 11-17 Monsoon weather is just around the corner, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) cautions boaters, anglers and off-highway vehicle (OHV) users that weather conditions can quickly change and become dangerous for those who aren't prepared. The severity of monsoon storms varies greatly, from a minor dust storm to a violent thunderstorm capable of producing hail, deadly lightning and flash... Full story
There were 13 boating fatalities, 60 injuries, $1 million in damages last year. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is urging all who recreate on Arizona's waters to wear a life jacket, follow safety regulations and laws, as well as designate a sober operator. So far in 2023, three people have lost their lives boating in Arizona. In 2022, boating accidents claimed the lives of 13 people, injured 60 more, and caused $1 million in damages. "A life jacket does exactly what it says - it... Full story
Visual distress signals can be very effective for summoning help from those assets closest to your location – fellow boaters – potentially shortening response time. Five Ways To Be Seen And Heard When You Really Need To Summon Help National Safe Boating Week is May 21–27. When you have an emergency on the water, how do you get help? For National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27, the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is reminding boaters that having the ability to be se... Full story
There's something about this time of year, isn't there? We're suspended between the end of a chilly Arizona-type winter and the blistering heat of an Arizona summer. However, that's not all of the state; we can always escape the Valley oven and enjoy the cool freshness of our High Country in areas like Flagstaff, Prescott, Payson, Greer, etc. . And, of course, there are our waterways - everything from swimming pools to ponds to rivers and streams to beautiful, refreshing lakes. Boating of all ty... Full story
'The best boating experience is safe boating.' National Safe Boating Week will be held from May 20-26, 2023, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season. This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible. "The best boating experience is safe boating," said Yvonne Pentz, communications director of the National... Full story
May 20-26: National Safe Boating Week Downstream Events Calendar April 2023National Safe Boating Week reminds all boaters to brush up on boating-safety skills and prepare for the boating season. This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible. "The best boating experience is safe boating," said Yvonne Pentz, communications director of the National Safe... 
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How do you know your boat is ready for a safe summer boating season and complies with new U.S. Coast Guard regulations? A no-cost, no-penalty vessel safety check from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons/America's Boating Club can help. Scheduled inspections are often offered at launch ramps, marinas and boat clubs, or appointments can be made for a vessel examiner to come to your boat. Go to cgaux.org/vsc to learn more. The program is sponsored by the BoatUS Foundation for... Full story
It never fails – every time I'm on the water, be it on a powerboat, and sailboat or paddling I always hear a boater doing a radio check. And frequently, others demonstrating their total lack of understanding on proper radio procedure by engaging in 2 minute plus conversations on channel 16 while everyone else listens in – not unlike the person speaking loudly on their cell phone in a restaurant.Many apparently justdon't understand, or have not taken the time to learn how to properly use the... Full story
BoatUS Reveals Top Three Mistakes Boaters Make When Using VHF Radios Help ensure you’re heard every time. For most recreational boaters, VHF radios are a better lifesaving tool than the omnipresent cellphone, even as more boaters use cellphones for emergency on-water communications. Why? The VHF radio remains the only tool at the boater’s disposal that can summon those potential rescuers on the water nearest you – sometimes with the press of one simple red button – saving critical rescue... Full story
