Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Although this model is not wearing a life-jacket (which we hope she will don after the photo shoot!), she is certainly does a fine job of welcoming us to the water. It's time. Boating season is here, and even though boaters enjoy the water throughout the year in the Southwest, May seems to be the traditional start for many. This photo emphasizes the fun of being out on the water, but there is another side to boating that is just as, or really more important: safety. We are emphasizing that in... Full story
Why take a navigation class when just boating on our local lakes? The very good reason is because prudent mariners should know and understand basic navigation principles no matter how small or large the size of the waterway they are boating on. Knowing north, south, east and west, how to use a basic chart or map, and how to read your compass are musts for safe-boating principles. Take this class and become a safer boater with knowledge. The Coast Guard Auxiliary has authored and developed a... Full story
Groups can apply all year for funds for boating safety and clean-boating projects. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water just made it easier for nonprofit organizations including community-based groups, boat clubs, angling and environmental organizations, USCG Auxiliary, or US Power Squadrons to apply for a Grassroots Grant. Started over 25 years ago, the BoatUS member-funded grant program provides groups up to $10,000 to help educate boaters on safe and clean boating topics.... Full story
A draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination for Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is now available for public review and comment. Due to an increase in safety concerns and the protection of wildlife habitat, the Service is in the process of reassessing all boating recreation activities taking place at the Refuge. The Refuge began reevaluating boating usage when the need arose to extend a 17-mile restricted boating area by ½ mile of No-Waterskiing for the safety of the visiting... Full story
Bill Luke Bass Days is "Making Bass Fishing Great Again!" The 18th annual event at Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina is handing out over $50,000 in cash prizes over the course of the three-days bass fishing tournament. The bass fishing tournament has six daily hourly weigh-ins; every hour first place pays $300, second through tenth place pay $100. Top Overall Big Bass this year wins $10,000! The Biggest Bass of The Day, each day, will win $2,000. And, Bill Luke will pay a $1,000 cash award... Full story
In 1966, boaters could buy a new mid-sized cruiser for about $7,000, outboard engines had just surpassed 100 horsepower, and recreational boating was growing on a large scale across America. It was also in '66 that the nation's largest recreational boating group, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), got its start thanks to Founder Richard Schwartz who saw a need to make recreational boaters' lives better. Schwartz's Vision His vision of offering representation, improving safety... Full story
Recent rain and snow storms' bringing both snowpack up north and flooding across the West and Midwest have many thinking that water levels in surrounding lakes and rivers will be increasing as the year progresses. Add lower gas prices to the mix and boaters will be coming back to the water this spring in droves. Power boaters, sailors, paddlers - many will be ill prepared to deal with the problems of a sudden spring or summer storm that this record-breaking El Nino season will be offering. Time... Full story
Over the course of the past weeks, the Coast Guard has responded to multiple cases along the Gulf of Mexico where people in distress were not wearing lifejackets. Life Jackets should be used with any activity on the water, whether it's done with a paddle, motor or a sail. Using a properly fitted life jacket increases survivability in an accident, which gives rescuers more time to locate a victim. Accidents can result in a number of injuries that prevent a person in the water from swimming.... Full story
Developed and organized by the newly formed trade association, Asociación Náutica de Colombia (ANC), together with partners National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Centro de Convenciones de Cartagena de Indias (CCCI) and International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the Congress Programme focuses on issues such as ‘Understanding the needs of the Colombian Marine Market, ‘Safety & Security’ and ‘Developing an Action Plan for Colombia’s Nautical Future’. Whilst breakout... Full story
With the latest technical advances in recreational boat lights - both for navigation and aesthetic purposes - recreational boaters have more choices than ever when upgrading their boat's lighting. However, the US Coast Guard wants boaters to know that some of the new lights aren't up to snuff and could increase the chances of a collision. It has found that some sold for navigation purposes don't meet regulations, and other aesthetic lighting products such as LED ropes and underwater lights may... Full story
A local company that that helps boaters get safely home was singled out for its professionalism at the BoatUS Towing Services Annual Conference recently held in Jupiter, Fla. "Tower of the Year" honors went to TowBoatUS Catalina, which is owned and operated by Captains Nathan Lins, Jordan Lake and Greg Dreischmeyer. The company, a familiar site in Avalon Harbor and Catalina Island waters with three red response vessels, was recognized for its near perfect 24-hour towing dispatch operation, super... Full story
This months beautiful cover comes to us from Boat US. The article, 'Backbone' Of America's Boating Safety, Angling Conservation Reauthorized, reminds us that boating season is coming and safety, as always, must be forefront in our minds. As we begin a New Year, we once again want to thank all of our advertisers, readers, contributors, staff, family and friends for their support over the past ten (going on eleven) years. BOATING - Life-Jacket Exchange A Success AZGFD swapped approximately 800... Full story
In a victory for boaters and anglers, the recent passage of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act also includes re-authorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through the year 2020. After significant lobbying by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) along with other boating and angling organizations, in 1984 Congress passed legislation establishing what was then called the Wallop/Breaux Trust Fund. Now called the Sport Fish Restoration and... Full story
As many of Arizona's hunters trek into area forests to fill their freezer with meat for the year, waterfowl hunters too are heading outdoors to hop aboard their watercraft for their piece of the action. A Family Tradition "Hunting is woven into the fabric of Arizona and for many, it's a family tradition carried on for generations," said Josh Hoffman, Arizona Game and Fish Boating Safety Education program coordinator. "Hunters already know that firearm safety is paramount every time they go out,... Full story
Ending nearly a 10-year decline, watercraft registrations in Arizona rebounded this year, bringing more people to the state's waterways and likely contributing to an increase in watercraft-related accidents. Two Increases To date this year, there were 127,796 watercraft registered in Arizona, which is a 2.7-percent increase from the 124,425 registered in the state in 2014. With the increase in registrations, law enforcement officers statewide recorded a 13-percent jump in watercraft-related... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department swapped approximately 800 old and tattered life jackets with new ones during life jacket exchange events at area lakes this past summer. During the popular events, the public can swap old, less-effective life jackets for new ones. The department began the life jacket exchange program in 2008 to help save lives and to encourage watercraft users to remain safe on the water. Most Effective Way "Wearing a life jacket is the most effective way to prevent against... Full story
The U.S. Coast Guard’s National On-Water Standards (NOWS) grant management team and American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) is pleased to announce the approval and publication EDU-1 On-Water Power Standard which is the first of three proposed skills-based American National Standards (ANS) for On-Water instruction in recreational boating safety. The Standard gained formal approval on Nov. 12. Course designers using the EDU-1 On-Water Power Standard and NASBLA’s standard ANSI/NASBLA 103-2016: Basic... Full story
This safety alert reminds recreational boaters and commercial vessel operators to use caution when operating their vessels near areas where dredging operations may be taking place. There have been too many instances where outboard motor propelled vessels have allided with a dredge pipe causing the motor to recoil into the boat and strike the occupants or eject them from the vessel. Operators should always be on the lookout for floating debris and unmarked hazards and operate at a speed that allo... Full story
Recent rain and snow storms bringing both snowpack up north and flooding across the west and mid-west have many thinking that water levels in surrounding lakes and rivers will be increasing as the year progresses. Add lower gas prices to the mix and boaters will be coming back to the water this spring in droves. Power boaters, sailors, paddlers - many will be ill prepared to deal with the problems of a sudden spring or summer storm that this record breaking El Nino season will be offering. If yo... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has removed a fee charged for watercraft owners to renew their boat or watercraft registrations online. Removal of the $2.50 Internet transaction fee charged on all watercraft registrations renewed online was done to encourage the state's watercraft users to renew their vessels' registrations on a computer, tablet or smartphone. "In a recent survey, we asked watercraft owners why they may not be using the Internet service to renew their watercraft... Full story
On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1, when boaters, sailors and anglers want to celebrate their generosity and give, they go to BoatUS.org, the online home of the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Since 1981, the boating non-profit's sole mission is to reduce boating accidents and fatalities and increase stewardship of our waterways, so giving to the Foundation means they're giving back to boating. Based in Annapolis, Md., the tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization is the boating safety and... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department swapped approximately 800 old and tattered life jackets with new ones during life jacket exchange events at area lakes this past summer. During the popular events, the public can swap old, less-effective life jackets for new ones. The department began the life jacket exchange program in 2008 to help save lives and to encourage watercraft users to remain safe on the water. "Wearing a life jacket is the most effective way to prevent against drowning," said... Full story
Here's an excellent opportunity to learn more about wildlife native to Arizona and other education programs. Featured will be live wildlife displays, a chance to learn to cast at the fishing activity, boating law and safety information, material on hunter-education program, a self-guided tour of the facility, food, drink and merchandise. Join us for our annual open house at the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov.22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stroll around the compound,... Full story
The U.S. Coast Guard is concerned about the sale and availability of unapproved recreational and commercial vessel navigation lights. Purchasers of such lighting should be aware replacement lighting may be improper for its application due to the failure by manufacturers to meet technical certification requirements. Furthermore, technical advances in marine lighting, such as the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), rope lighting, underwater lighting, and other various types of decorative lighting... Full story
