How Was Your Weekend?

Boating season kicks off with multiple mishaps across the country...

Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard

Each Monday (or Tuesday after a long holiday weekend like this), in the spring and summer, we take a look at all the boating incidents from the weekend and share some of the ones that are unique and interesting, or that can provide a reminder about boating safety.

With the weather warming and the extended weekend, you would be correct to guess that there were what seems like an exceptional number of capsizes and accidents over the past few days. No area of the country was spared, as there were boating mishaps in Miami Beach, Niagara Falls, Minnesota and more...

Happy Memorial Day... from France

American crosses finish line first in France in around the world sailing race...

Photo: Ainhoa Sanchez/w-w-i.com

American ocean racer Brad Van Liew sailed over the finish line first on Saturday of this Memorial Day Weekend, to win the VELUX 5 OCEANS. Van Liew also sailed into the record books, winning every leg of the 30,000-mile challenge for the second time in his solo sailing career.

Not only is the 43-year-old now the only sailor in the 29-year history of the VELUX 5 OCEANS to have taken clean sweeps in two races (having also won each leg of the 2002/3 edition in class two) but he is also the first American to race solo around the world three times.

The Daily Boater has the full story, including video of the finish and an interview with the winner from Charleston, South Carolina.

Goin' Coastal This Memorial Day Weekend?

Our Sea Song of the Week is perfect if you are heading to the coast for the holiday weekend...

Are you going Coastal this Memorial Day Weekend?

Every week we post a nautical tune to kick off the weekend, even if you can't get out on the boat. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

With the long holiday weekend upon us and the start of boating season in many parts of the world, we knew had to pick an all-American nautical tune with some punch performed by one of the heavyweights of the "beach and boat music" genre. 

We think we found our guy...

Video: World on Water - Week 21

A brand new edition of World on Water, the video news show that covers high performance boating around the world, was just released.

This week's edition, produced on Friday, May 27, includes the following video coverage...

1. 2011 Zhik Laser SB3 World Championships
2. 2011 Audi MedCup Cascias, Portugal
3. 2011 Melges 24 Championships
4. 2011 Ulsan PWA World Cup
5. 2011 Dockyard 18ft Skiff Grand Prix 1 Hungary
6. "Fresh to Frightening" Audi MedCup Cascais

You can now view a supersized version of World on Water on FirstBoat at FirstBoat.com/tv.html; or you can continue to watch World on Water on the Daily Boater. Either way, the latest edition of the show is released each Friday. Stay tuned!

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Memorial Day Weekend Boating Events: Fleet Week Begins

Meet our nation's Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and see their ships as they gather in New York City...

Fleet Week New York is happening through Memorial Day. Photo: US Navy

Each Thursday we try to tell you about all the boat shows and related events going on around the world that weekend so that you can have a chance to go to one if it's near you. Sure, there are a few boat shows this weekend, as well as some boat festivals and boat parades intermixed with all the Memorial Day celebrations. However, one event stands above the rest...

Boating and Theft

Boat owners beware: Bad economy, rich and unwatched targets, lead to boat thefts...

Photo © istockphoto/Dan Moore

We couldn't help but notice that there has been a series of news articles related to theft in the boating community over the past 48 hours. Not just in one location, but across the country.

Hopefully, this week's string of news items is just a fluke, but when you combine desperate people in a struggling economy with a target-rich environment like a row of unlocked boats, nothing good could come out of it. A long stretch of nasty weather doesn't help, as the smarter thieves realize you won't be going anywhere near your boat for a while.

Top Ten Tips for Safe Boating Week

The "Ten Commandments" of Boating Safety from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary...

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Boating Safety Tips. Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard.

The United States Coast Guard characterizes their Auxiliary corps as a “force multiplier”, enabling the active-duty and reserves corps to do more with the budgeted dollars allocated by the US Congress. USCG Auxiliarists donate 100% of their time to the tasks authorized by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. And no task is more important than promulgating and expanding the safety of life at sea. This column is about that.

The Ten Commandments
Well, that might be a bit of an over-statement (these are hardly divinely inspired) and an understatement (there are a lot more than 10 things you can do to enhance safety for you and your crew.) However, the numbers associated with these 10 steps that any skipper can do, or insist is done, are compelling.

Unsafe Start to Safe Boating Week

Weekend marred with multiple boating accidents and capsizes...

Nordic Mistress sinks in the Gulf of Alaska. U.S.C.G photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Devin Lloyd.

Each Monday in the spring and summer we take a look at all the boating incidents from the weekend and share the ones that are unique and interesting, or that can provide a reminder about boating safety.

It is both ironic and unfortunate that this particular weekend, which coincided with the start of National Safe Boating Week, had so many boating accidents.

World Record for Boating Safety

All over North America today, people will be donning and inflating their life jackets in an effort to break the world record set last year...

World Record for Boating Safety

Participants include boating safety educators, marine enforcement officials, politicians, media and the general public. Anyone can attend one of these events.

Ready, Set, Inflate is all about raising awareness about wearing a lifejacket.

Here in our state of CT, the locations include:

- Cabela’s in East Hartford. The event starts at 10:30AM and we inflate at 11:00AM.

- New Fairfield Town Park on Candlewood Lake. This event starts at noon and we inflate at 12:30PM.

The best way to find one near you is to go to www.readysetinflate.com.

Don't worry if you don’t have an inflatable life jacket, many of these events will have some that they will let you use. Ready, Set, Inflate is a fun way to remind people about boating safety while getting ready for the boating season ahead!

And if you missed the event near you and want some basic boating safety tips, visit the boating safety tips page at FirstBoat.com, or check out the boating safety articles on the Daily Boater.

Video: World on Water - Week 20

The latest edition of World on Water, featuring video of high performance boating news from around the world, is now available for your viewing pleasure.

This week's edition, produced on Friday, May 20, includes the following video coverage...

1. 2011 RC44 Austria Cup, Lake Traunsee, Austria
2. 2011 World Match Race France Cup Marseilles, France
3. 2011 Nespresso Cup Sardinia, Italy.
4. Velux 5 Oceans Sprint 5 Start.
5. 2011 Audi MedCup Pre-Launch Jean Reno
6. "Fresh to Frightening" UIM Class One Powerboats Crash.

Visit our World on Water page to view the latest edition of the show - updated each Friday on the Daily Boater

Sea Song of the Week: Back into the Mystic

Happy birthday Joe Cocker! Our Sea Song of the Week today is your version of Into the Mystic...

We realize this song has nothing to do with the Seaport.

Every Friday we post a nautical tune to kick off the weekend, even if you can't get out on the boat. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

Since today is Joe Cocker's 67th birthday, we thought we'd share a performance of a nautical tune by the gritty voiced legend.

Boating Events Kick Off Safe Boating Week

Boat shows can be found across the country and around the world this weekend as National Safe Boating Week begins...

A scene from SailQuest Mystic this past weekend. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

Boat shows are always a good time, but they are the best this time of year when the weather is warm enough to enjoy in-water boat displays and when the shows are tied into outdoor festivals with (hopefully) fair weather, delicious food, and a wide array of boats. This upcoming weekend's boat shows are no exception, with events in Florida, California, and all points in between - as well as around the world in places such as Australia and Russia.

We try to go to as many as we can... In fact, we were at SailQuest Mystic in Connecticut this past weekend, and we've got some great pictures on our FaceBook page that include a variety of sail and power boats from the boat show, as well as some of the historic ships that are part of Mystic Seaport - the beautiful living museum that hosted SailQuest.

Read on for this weekend's boat show round-up.

Docking 101 - Spring Lines

The secret to docking your boat like a professional may be all about spring lines...

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Think "spring" when docking. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

One of the two great mysteries of boating is docking while under the baleful gaze of (pick all that apply: your slip mates, restaurant patrons looking down at you, the dock master). The other is "What Side Of This Buoy Do I Go On?".

This post is about mastering the first.

The Sun Will Rise Again

And when it does, will you be protected on your boat?

Boaters always wish for sunny days, but we need to be careful what we wish for.

Don’t worry, although it doesn’t seem like it in many parts of the country today, the sun will be out soon… and when it does come back out from behind the clouds, you’ll be out on your boat soaking up the rays.

We realize our readers would like to maximize their time spent boating. But a lot of time spent boating has a side effect of a lot of time spent out in the sun, and that can be dangerous. That’s why we are always on the lookout for ideas to protect boaters’ skin from the damage that the sun can cause over time. This article takes a look at a product that was invented to stylishly provide shade on a boat and keep you cool, but that doubles as an additional weapon in the fight to protect people from the harmful effects of the sun while boating.

Boating Rescues of Note

This past weekend had more than its share of boating incidents...

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

Each Monday in the spring and summer we take a look at all the boating incidents from the weekend and share the ones that are unique and interesting, or that can provide a reminder about boating safety.

Once again this morning, unfortunately, the headlines were very busy.

Boat Shows: SailQuest Mystic and More

This weekend's boat shows around the world include the new SailQuest Mystic in Connecticut.

SailQuest Mystic in CT this weekend. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

With spring in full swing, it is officially boating season in many parts of the country and around the world. But if you can't get out on the boat this weekend, why not do the next best thing and go to a boat show? From the new SailQuest Mystic, to Cruisers University in Balitmore, to big boat shows in Singapore and New Zealand, there just may be a boat show, yachting event, or river festival near you right now!

UPDATE: This weekend's boat shows were a big success. To see photos of all the boats and sights from SailQuest Mystic at Mystic Seaport this past weekend, check out the album on our FaceBook page.

Video: World on Water - Week 19

We just received a brand new edition of World on Water, featuring video of high performance boating news from around the world.

This week's edition, produced on Friday, May 13, includes the following video coverage...

- 2011 ISAF French Sailing Week

- 2011 RC44 Austria Cup Lake Traunsee, Austria

- 2011 USODA Opti Team Trials

- AC45 New zealand trials

- 2011 Wilson Trophy

- "Fresh to Frightening" 2011 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Crash.

Visit our World on Water page to view the latest edition of the show - updated each Friday on the Daily Boater

She Blinded Me With Sea Songs

Sea Song of the Week: Today's Sea Song is something brand new and very nautical from, you guessed it, Thomas Dolby...

Every Friday we post a nautical tune to kick off the weekend, even if you can't get out on the boat. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

If you remember Thomas Dolby from the 80's and his classic hit She Blinded Me With Science, you may not believe this song is from the same artist. When we heard a clip from his new EP, Oceanea, on NPR this week, there was no doubt what this week's choice for Sea Song of the Week would be. The decision was solidified when we learned that his studio is on a boat.

The Other Top Ten Boat Names

Another site releases their top ten boat names... how does it compare to FirstBoat's?  Is your name on the list? 

Carpe Diem was missing from both lists this year.

Just a few weeks after FirstBoat announced the most popular boat names of 2011 (view FirstBoat's top boat names here), insurance company BoatU.S. has released their version of the top ten boat names based on their own data.

There are some similarities between the two lists, and of course there are some differences. The similarities include the way the data was gathered, as well as the fact that three names made it to both lists this year (Could those three names be the most definitive top three boat names ever?)  Differences include the breadth of data each company uses to create their list of top boat names.

Vin Pica: Cleanliness is Next to Godliness, Part II

What's under your boat and what's it doing to the ocean? Are you killing more than just those pesky barnacles?

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
 

Photo: istockphoto.com/perkins07

Remember Earth Day? Think way back to two and a half weeks ago. It was the day your kid came home from school and told you to turn off the lights, recycle the cans, and asked if you could help them plant a tree. If you are Christian, you may have missed it – Earth Day shared the date with Good Friday this year.

Earth Day has come and gone, but keeping our waters clean goes beyond just one day, and involves more recycling plastic bottles. In this week’s column, Vin Pica talks about the part of your boat that you rarely see or think about once the season starts. But as you’re readying your boat for its first launch this spring and thinking about bottom paint, this could be the most important article you read today.

Monday Rescue Report

Capsizes, floods and stray bullets made boating interesting this past weekend...

U.S. Coast Guard Photo

Each Monday in the spring and summer we take a look at all the boating incidents from the weekend and share the ones that are unique and interesting, or that can provide a reminder about boating safety.

Unfortunately, the headlines this morning were very busy.

Video: World on Water - Week 18

We just received a brand new edition of World on Water, featuring video of high performance boating news from around the world.

This week's edition includes the following video coverage...

- 2011 Antigua Sailing Week
- Transat Benodet Martinique Race
- 2011 Grand Prix Guyader France
- Launch of 2011-12 Volvo 70 Groupama
- 2011 The Mondial du Vent
- "Fresh to Frightening" P1 SuperStock Powerboats

Visit our World on Water page to view the latest edition of the show - updated each Friday on the Daily Boater

Sea Song of Fools

Got some time to kill before boating season? Check out today's Sea Song of the Week

Image: IMDB

Every Friday we post a nautical tune to kick off the weekend, even if you can't get out on the boat. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

For many boaters across the United States, especially along the Mississippi and in upstate NY, floods are preventing an early start to boating season (April Showers Bring May Boating Restrictions).

So if you're waiting for the flood waters (or gas prices) to recede before your season starts, let's face it, you've got time to kill. Enter Ship of Fools. Many legendary bands have done different songs that they called Ship of Fools, including the Doors and Robert Plant, and there was even a book and movie by that name.

However, of all the different "Ship(s) of Fools" there is only one version from a band that was known for their ability to stretch a song out long enough for flood waters to recede.

Boat Shows for Mother's Day Weekend

Who needs brunch? This weekend's events include boat shows, parades and festivals to mark the beginning of boating season.

SailQuest comes to Mystic, CT, next weekend. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

Want to do something fun this weekend? Is mom's favorite restaurant no longer taking reservations for brunch on Sunday? Are you looking for an excuse to continue your Cinco de Mayo party beyond Thursday? We've got the solution. There just may be a boat show, opening day festival, blessing of the fleet ceremony, or a boat parade going on near you!

April Showers Bring May Boating Restrictions

We would have preferred flowers...

Shawneetown, IL. USCG Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dan Wheeler

Small Craft Advisory – That Means You!

Weather warnings for the rest of us: Boating safety begins at the dock.

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Lightning strikes on the water. Photo © istockphoto/Zoltan Domiter

I recently wrote about getting a proper weather report before making way, and illustrated how important it can be to drill down into a simple weather report for a day to get the projections by hour. But there is another common newsflash that is heard by those that go down to the sea in ships… The Small Craft Advisory. This column is about that.

Capsizes and Rescues

May Day, May Day! Several capsizes and groundings this weekend resulted in dramatic rescues...

Lifeboat launched to assist in a rescue. Photo: RNLI/Mike Lang

The first day of May this past weekend marked the start of boating season across much of the US and the UK. As always, a new boating season means boats being tested for the first time after a long winter, water filled with debris from storms, channel markers that may not yet be righted for the season, and perhaps even a little rusty seamanship. Throw two or three of these things together and you're going to see articles like these involving capsizes, boats running aground, dramatic rescues or worse.

This past weekend was no exception.