Celebrations keep boaters off the water, in the know

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy,

This was a very eventful week for boaters in Newport Beach, with

so many meetings and galas that I could not get to every one.

Did you know the International Boating and Water Safety Summit was

held at the Hyatt Newporter from last Saturday to yesterday? The

National Safe Boating Council and the National Water Safety Congress

organizes this event for the exchange of boating and water safety

information, with more than 500 people attending from across the

nation and from many foreign countries.

The boating visitors were staying at our hotels, shopping around

town and visiting restaurants. One group I know paid a visit to Tommy

Bahamas. I know many visitors are extending their stay in Southern

California, so I hope it does not rain this weekend.

Tuesday morning, we had another very successful Marine Committee

meeting, hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce at the

Newport Sea Base. Information and ideas were flowing, but I am still

surprised by those in the marine industry who do not stay current on

the issues affecting them. This is one meeting where you can actually

be proactive versus reactive, and you can have a say in our harbor’s

future.

One major issue is Marinapark, and I am reading other reports from

other states on how water and boating access is being decreased, even

as boating grows in popularity. As in previous columns, I ask two

simple questions: First, where can I launch a trailer boat, such as a

Hobie Cat 18 or a Lido 14, in the lower main bay; and secondly, where

I can dock a 50-foot yacht for an hour or two at any public facility,

not to mention overnight?

Then on Wednesday evening, it was the VIP Opening Night reception

for the 2005 Lexus Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, held at the

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. I was honored to be the master of

ceremonies for the evening, introducing Newport Mayor Steve Bromberg

and Paul DeCapua, who is this year’s commodore for the Newport Ocean

Sailing Assn.

Museum head Glenn Zagoren did an excellent job with the event,

which was held in a huge tent in the Museum’s parking lot. There was

lots of food and drinks from local restaurants, and the silent

auction had more than 50 items, including an original Scott Kennedy

painting and a gold Corum Admirals Cup watch.

The reception was sponsored by Corum Watches, Traditional Jewelers

and Orange Coast Magazine. The proceeds will directly benefit the

Museum’s educational program.

Next week, the Hoag Hospital 552 Club is hosting a mixer to

announce the inaugural First Team Real Estate Invitational Regatta

that will benefit the Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute. The mixer

will be in the Balboa Pavilion’s Grand Ballroom from 5:52 -- get it?

552 Club -- to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

You can find out more information by calling Grace Kim at (949)

764-7208 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].

TIP OF WEEK

The Harbor Patrol has started to enforce the teak surfing law with

the passage of AB 2222, which prohibits teak surfing behind a boat or

standing outside of the transom on the swim platform while an engine

is running.

At the Marine Committee meeting, Lt. Erin Guidice mentioned that

the officers would try to educate first. A charter boat was cited

recently, and now the questions have started to arise from boaters

whether this law really applies to all types boats under power. Does

a 100-foot boat have the same carbon monoxide levels at the stern as

a 20-footer? What if the boat’s exhausts are dry stacked above the

boat, or is there a difference in carbon monoxide levels from side

exhaust ports versus stern exhaust ports?

The way I read the bill, you can still be dragged from a boat

under sail power without any engine operating.

Lastly, I wish happy retirement to Capt. Greg Russell, Newport’s

harbormaster, who sails off into the sunset this week.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation, “Capt.

Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show.” It airs every Saturday from

noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You can join me, Chandler Bell and

Eric Hovland by calling the listener line at (888) 344-1170.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to [email protected] or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.