THE HARBOR COLUMN:

Ahoy,

The question I am being asked this week is, will it rain this weekend? We are in our rainy season basically through April, and when it rains Southern Californians stop all outdoor activities.

For good reason, too. Why go out in the few days that we receive sprinkles when most of the year is sunny?

Unlike areas of the Pacific Northwest, where it is the opposite of the rain and the sun shining, the rain does not stop but only hinders outdoor activities.

So, I am calling for only a very slight chance of showers today, and I foresee a 2- to 3-foot west swell with maybe a little south swell lingering from the earlier weather system.

Last week I mentioned that the Boating Clean & Green Program is returning to Newport Beach to train volunteers who are willing to become dockwalkers.

However, I received notice that the previous news release dated Feb. 25 incorrectly stated the date of the training as March 19.

It turns out that the Boating Clean & Green Program will train volunteers March 21 to become “Dockwalkers,� people who promote environmentally sound boating throughout California’s marina communities.

The training will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. at the Newport Beach Council Chambers. Dockwalkers will be trained to engage members of the public and the boating community in adopting clean boating practices.

Remember to change your appointment calendars to 10 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. March 21 at the Newport Beach Council Chambers.

To register for training, visit www.dbw.ca.gov and click on the “Clean and Green Tab.

You may also contact Vivian Matuk at (415) 904-6905 or [email protected].

Tip of the week is a question from a loyal reader: “How come when I am cruising to the main channel from Newport Dunes Marina, I sometimes scrape the underside of the PCH bridge about halfway through?� Ouch, there goes your satellite TV doom.

Unfortunately, the bridge’s construction design is not boater-friendly, especially when leaving the Back Bay as the Back Bay’s side is actually higher than the lower bay’s side (south side).

So, many boaters have visually spotted their vertical clearance only to hit the other side. You can thank Caltrans engineers, who obviously are not boaters.

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to [email protected] or go to www.boathousetv.com.