Selby Bay Yacht Club Cruises for Children
The members of Selby Bay Yacht Club generously donated their time and vessels this summer to host families and children for cruises in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. The annual “Cruise for Kids” program gives club members an opportunity to reach into the community and offer boating experiences for children, including those with disabilities.
After each harbor outing, participating boat owners returned families to shore for an All-Hands Shore Party, providing food, conversation and a chance for everyone to connect.
Selby Bay Yacht Club contributed four powerboats and seven sailboats to the larger flotilla of 49 vessels. The 62-year-old, member-owned club is family-oriented and located just inside the mouth of the South River in Selby Bay, near Annapolis, Maryland.
For more information, visit the club website at sbyc.info.
Plans Shelved for Proposed Coast Guard Museum
Plans for a new Coast Guard Museum in Stonington, Connecticut, led by the Coast Guard Foundation, have been postponed due to insufficient funding. Project leaders say that while interest existed among potential donors and government partners, broader financial support did not materialize.
Ross Roeder, chairman of the board, explained that early estimates for the museum began around $65 million but escalated toward $100 million. The envisioned facility would have measured roughly 50,000 to 60,000 square feet in Trumbull, Connecticut, and aimed to serve 200,000 to 300,000 visitors annually.
“We remain committed to the idea—especially given the important role of the U.S. Coast Guard—but the timing isn’t right,” Roeder said. Because of the funding shortfall, Jerry Ostermiller, who had been named project president earlier this year, stepped down and returned home to Oregon.
Ostermiller, a Coast Guard auxiliarist with nearly three decades of museum experience, including leadership at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon, described his work with the foundation as a meaningful experience. He remains optimistic that a museum honoring the Coast Guard’s missions and humanitarian service will be built when funding and circumstances improve.
Roeder added that while they do not yet know whether past leaders will be asked to return, the foundation intends to resume the effort when the opportunity aligns with a sustainable funding plan.
— Elizabeth Ellis
Southwest Florida Yachts Adds Two New Charter Catamarans
Southwest Florida Yachts has expanded its charter fleet at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda with two new Gemini 34 catamarans, Final Fling and Lady Purr-Fect. These additions join a diverse charter lineup that includes six sailboats and a range of powerboats.
Each Gemini features a master cabin, two double cabins, a convertible dinette, a fully equipped galley and an outboard dinghy—designed for comfortable short- and multi-day charters. Current winter high-season rates list a three-day charter of Lady Purr-Fect at approximately $1,648, while Final Fling is about $1,813.
Southwest Florida Yachts is headquartered at Marinatown Marina in North Fort Myers and offers sailing and powerboat charters year-round, with vessels ranging from 24 to 43 feet.
For reservations or details, call (800) 262-7939 or visit swfyachts.com.
Free Water Safety Curriculum Available for Youth Programs
The National Youth Marine Alliance and the United States Power Squadron are offering WaterSmart From The Start educational materials free of charge to youth organizations. The program teaches boating and water safety topics such as navigation, rescue, fishing, environmental stewardship, personal watercraft awareness and types of boats.
The package includes an instructor’s guide, a student workbook and pre- and post-tests suitable for classroom or after-school formats. To request free materials, visit shopusps.org/books.html or call (888) 367-8777, ext. 210.
$40 Million Allocated for Hydrographic Surveys and Nautical Charts
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced $40 million in funding for hydrographic surveys and charting projects across the United States to support safe navigation, marine commerce and economic growth. The funds come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and will be administered by NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey.
NOAA will allocate approximately $32 million to hydrographic surveying contractors to collect data in critical coastal regions. An additional $8.24 million will support related data collection activities used for nautical chart development and coastal planning. The Recovery Act-funded work includes 39 surveys covering nearly 2,000 square nautical miles across Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters in Alaska, Washington, California, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Virginia.
Survey teams will use modern mapping technologies to chart seafloor topography, measure depths, search for storm debris or wreckage and document coastal seabed features and marine habitats. Collected information will inform coastal planning efforts, helping balance ecosystem conservation with competing ocean uses such as navigation and renewable energy development.
For details on funded projects, visit noaa.gov/recovery.
Five Youth Boating Grants Announced
The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) awarded five education grants to organizations focused on youth boating, fishing and conservation. Selected from a competitive pool of 70 applicants, recipients include FishHer (which introduces girls, including Girl Scouts, to fishing and aquatic education), the International Game Fish Association (which provides student programs and fishing clinics), Let’s Go Fishing (expanding its Take Me Fishing Initiative), and Trout Unlimited (working to conserve coldwater fisheries and watersheds).
These grants support RBFF’s National Youth Fishing & Boating Initiative, which prioritizes outreach to minority and underserved communities. Since 2007, more than 250,000 children have participated in RBFF-funded aquatic education programs.
More information is available at rbff.org.
Newcoast Launches Updated Website to Serve Boaters
Newcoast Financial Services unveiled an updated website to help boating and yachting customers learn about specialized financing options. The site explains available services, allows visitors to locate local contacts, submit questions and apply for loans. Newcoast provides financing for new and used boats, yachts and sailboats, as well as refinancing solutions.
Visit newcoast.com for details.
Insurance Discount for Boaters Using Autotether Safety Device
Travelers Insurance announced a discount on boat and yacht insurance premiums for owners who use Autotether wireless emergency-stop lanyards. The Autotether system is designed to cut engine power if the operator goes overboard, reducing the risk of a runaway vessel. While wearing an emergency-stop lanyard is legally required in only a handful of states, Travelers is reviewing similar safety devices from other manufacturers with the potential to expand discounts in the future.
For more information, contact Travelers.
This article originally appeared in the Mid-Atlantic Home Waters section of the November 2009 issue.