NOAA Fisheries recently issued a reminder to mariners that North Atlantic right whales are migrating along the Atlantic coast.
North Atlantic right whale calving season begins in mid-November and lasts through mid-April. During this time, right whales are on the move.
NOAA Fisheries estimates that North Atlantic right whale populations are less than 450 individuals.
source: NOAA Fisheries
Showing posts with label boating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boating. Show all posts
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Delaware River Bristol Borough Waterfront Project
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will partner with the Bucks County Riverfront Program to install 25 new day slips on the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Trenton, New Jersey.
The ADA-compliant project will include new educational signage, lighting, and breakwater structures to protect the facility. The project is part of a larger effort to improve the waterfront in Bristol Borough.
Funding for the project consists of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Boating Infrastructure (BIG) grant of nearly $1.5 million, matched with nearly $1 million in non-federal funding.
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The ADA-compliant project will include new educational signage, lighting, and breakwater structures to protect the facility. The project is part of a larger effort to improve the waterfront in Bristol Borough.
Funding for the project consists of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Boating Infrastructure (BIG) grant of nearly $1.5 million, matched with nearly $1 million in non-federal funding.
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Additional Grant Money Available for Recreational Boating Facilities in North Carolina
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries will be accepting proposals for the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program until April 24. This is a second funding opportunity for this program for federal fiscal year 2013.
The Boating Infrastructure Grant is a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that reimburses up to 75 percent of costs for projects that construct, renovate or maintain tie-up facilities and related amenities for recreational transient vessels that are at least 26 feet long. The grant program was authorized by Congress in 1998 and is funded by excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.
The state Division of Marine Fisheries serves as the liaison between projects in North Carolina and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for this program. Proposals must be submitted to the division to be considered for this funding opportunity.
Some examples of potentially eligible activities include transient slips, mooring buoys, day-docks, floating and fixed piers and breakwaters, dinghy docks, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, retaining walls, bulkheads, dockside utilities (water, electric, telephone, Internet), sewage pump-out stations, recycling and trash receptacles, navigational aids and marine fueling stations. Applicants must have or intend to construct dedicated dockage for transient vessels to receive funding for these eligible activities.
For information about grant availability, project eligibility, and proposal development, please visit the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf or contact Kelly Price, federal aid coordinator for the division, at P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557-0769. You may also contact Price at 252-808-8168 or 800-682-2632 (in North Carolina only) or by e-mail at Kelly.Price@ncdenr.gov.
Applications should be sent to the state Division of Marine Fisheries and must be received by April 24. Electronic submission is preferred.
source: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
The Boating Infrastructure Grant is a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that reimburses up to 75 percent of costs for projects that construct, renovate or maintain tie-up facilities and related amenities for recreational transient vessels that are at least 26 feet long. The grant program was authorized by Congress in 1998 and is funded by excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.
The state Division of Marine Fisheries serves as the liaison between projects in North Carolina and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for this program. Proposals must be submitted to the division to be considered for this funding opportunity.
Some examples of potentially eligible activities include transient slips, mooring buoys, day-docks, floating and fixed piers and breakwaters, dinghy docks, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, retaining walls, bulkheads, dockside utilities (water, electric, telephone, Internet), sewage pump-out stations, recycling and trash receptacles, navigational aids and marine fueling stations. Applicants must have or intend to construct dedicated dockage for transient vessels to receive funding for these eligible activities.
For information about grant availability, project eligibility, and proposal development, please visit the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf or contact Kelly Price, federal aid coordinator for the division, at P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557-0769. You may also contact Price at 252-808-8168 or 800-682-2632 (in North Carolina only) or by e-mail at Kelly.Price@ncdenr.gov.
Applications should be sent to the state Division of Marine Fisheries and must be received by April 24. Electronic submission is preferred.
source: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
Friday, November 2, 2012
Hurricane Sandy Dangers
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| Hurricane Sandy (photo credit NASA) |
According to U.S. Coast Guard 5th District, Mid Atlantic boaters could face a number of challenges as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Although the immediate threat of strong winds and rain has passed, there are still a lot of hazards people can encounter on and near the water.
The ocean and rivers could be full of debris that can cause major damage. Buoys and other navigation aids may also be missing or in different locations following a major storm.
The Coast Guard also warned beachgoers and surfers of risks. The agency suggests that enthusiasts should remain off beaches, piers, and jetties until authorized by local officials since rip currents will still be dangerous.
source: USCG 5th District
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
HMS Bounty Disaster
On Monday, October 29, 2012 Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received a call from the owner of the 180-foot, three mast tall ship, HMS Bounty, saying she had lost communication with the vessel's crew late Sunday evening.
Eventually, the Coast Guard 5th District command center in Portsmouth received a signal from the emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) registered to the Bounty, confirming the distress and position.
When Coast Guard crewmen aboard an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, arrived on scene, They found the Bounty taking on water and without propulsion in 40 mph winds and 18-foot seas.
The 17 person crew donned cold water survival suits and lifejackets before launching in two 25-man lifeboats with canopies.
According to the ship's Facebook page, the HMS Bounty appeared in the 1962 film "Mutiny on the Bounty" and the more recent "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
Eventually, the Coast Guard 5th District command center in Portsmouth received a signal from the emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) registered to the Bounty, confirming the distress and position.
When Coast Guard crewmen aboard an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, arrived on scene, They found the Bounty taking on water and without propulsion in 40 mph winds and 18-foot seas.
The 17 person crew donned cold water survival suits and lifejackets before launching in two 25-man lifeboats with canopies.
According to the ship's Facebook page, the HMS Bounty appeared in the 1962 film "Mutiny on the Bounty" and the more recent "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
2013 Boating Infrastructure Grants
North Carolina's Division of Marine Fisheries recently announced that the agency is accepting proposals for the Boating Infrastructure Grant, or BIG, Program for federal fiscal 2013.
BIG, a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reimburses up to 75 percent of costs for projects that construct, renovate or maintain tie-up facilities and related amenities for recreational transient vessels that are at least 26 feet long. The grant program was authorized by Congress in 1998 and is funded by excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries serves as the liaison between projects in North Carolina and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the BIG Program. Proposals must be submitted to the division to be considered for this funding opportunity.
Some examples of potentially eligible activities include transient slips, mooring buoys, day-docks, floating and fixed piers and breakwaters, dinghy docks, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, retaining walls, bulkheads, dockside utilities (water, electric, telephone, Internet), sewage pump-out stations, recycling and trash receptacles, navigational aids and marine fueling stations.
BIG funds are distributed each year. Grants are available on a two-tiered basis. For Tier 1 (Basic) grants, all states may receive up to $100,000 per grant cycle as long as proposals meet the program's guidelines. Tier 2 (Competitive) grants are reserved for large-scale, more expensive undertakings and are awarded on a nationwide competitive basis. For fiscal 2013, applicants may apply for up to $88,000 under Tier 1 and up to $1.5 million under Tier 2.
For information about grant availability, project eligibility and proposal development, please visit the division’s website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf, or contact Kelly Price, the division’s federal aid coordinator, at 252-808-8168 or 800-682-2632 (in North Carolina only) or Kelly.Price@ncdenr.gov. The deadline for applications to be received by the division is Aug. 16. Electronic submission is preferred.
source: N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
BIG, a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reimburses up to 75 percent of costs for projects that construct, renovate or maintain tie-up facilities and related amenities for recreational transient vessels that are at least 26 feet long. The grant program was authorized by Congress in 1998 and is funded by excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries serves as the liaison between projects in North Carolina and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the BIG Program. Proposals must be submitted to the division to be considered for this funding opportunity.
Some examples of potentially eligible activities include transient slips, mooring buoys, day-docks, floating and fixed piers and breakwaters, dinghy docks, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, retaining walls, bulkheads, dockside utilities (water, electric, telephone, Internet), sewage pump-out stations, recycling and trash receptacles, navigational aids and marine fueling stations.
BIG funds are distributed each year. Grants are available on a two-tiered basis. For Tier 1 (Basic) grants, all states may receive up to $100,000 per grant cycle as long as proposals meet the program's guidelines. Tier 2 (Competitive) grants are reserved for large-scale, more expensive undertakings and are awarded on a nationwide competitive basis. For fiscal 2013, applicants may apply for up to $88,000 under Tier 1 and up to $1.5 million under Tier 2.
For information about grant availability, project eligibility and proposal development, please visit the division’s website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf, or contact Kelly Price, the division’s federal aid coordinator, at 252-808-8168 or 800-682-2632 (in North Carolina only) or Kelly.Price@ncdenr.gov. The deadline for applications to be received by the division is Aug. 16. Electronic submission is preferred.
source: N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Chesapeake Bay Smart Buoys
A new NOAA "smart buoy" deployed near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel will help boaters and fishermen monitor conditions in the Chesapeake Bay.
The highly sophisticated buoy is the newest addition to NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS), a network of buoys that transmit multi-use oceanographic and meteorological data from the bay to weather forecasters, maritime safety personnel, coastal decision makers, and recreational boaters and fishermen.
Managed by NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office, CBIBS buoys collect weather, oceanographic and water-quality observations and transmit this data wirelessly in near-real time.
Data and related educational resources can be accessed at http://buoybay.noaa.gov (http://www.buoybay.noaa.gov/m for mobile devices) and by toll-free phone at 877-BUOY-BAY (877-286-9229).
The information is also available via free Android and iPhone applications. CBIBS uses new technology to make information available for a broad range of research, commercial, and recreational purposes, including assessing the progress of bay restoration.
The other nine buoys in the network are located at the mouths of the Susquehanna, Patapsco, Severn, Potomac, and Rappahannock Rivers; in the main stem of the bay near Calvert County, Md.; in the Potomac River near Alexandria, Va.; in the James River near Jamestown; and in the Elizabeth River off Norfolk.
source: NOAA
The highly sophisticated buoy is the newest addition to NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS), a network of buoys that transmit multi-use oceanographic and meteorological data from the bay to weather forecasters, maritime safety personnel, coastal decision makers, and recreational boaters and fishermen.
Managed by NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office, CBIBS buoys collect weather, oceanographic and water-quality observations and transmit this data wirelessly in near-real time.
Data and related educational resources can be accessed at http://buoybay.noaa.gov (http://www.buoybay.noaa.gov/m for mobile devices) and by toll-free phone at 877-BUOY-BAY (877-286-9229).
The information is also available via free Android and iPhone applications. CBIBS uses new technology to make information available for a broad range of research, commercial, and recreational purposes, including assessing the progress of bay restoration.
The other nine buoys in the network are located at the mouths of the Susquehanna, Patapsco, Severn, Potomac, and Rappahannock Rivers; in the main stem of the bay near Calvert County, Md.; in the Potomac River near Alexandria, Va.; in the James River near Jamestown; and in the Elizabeth River off Norfolk.
source: NOAA
Friday, July 1, 2011
July 4th 2011- Boating Safety
Every year, prior to the 4th of July and other major boating holidays, the U.S. Coast Guard urges boaters and beachgoers to be safe and prepared for the holiday weekend.
Being educated about safe boating could save a life. Most boating fatalities occur when the boat operator has not completed a boating safety education course. Courses cover many aspects of boating safety, from boat handling to reading the weather.
The Coast Guard also urges boaters to obtain a free vessel safety check, which is conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary before heading out on the water. Vessel safety checks are courtesy examinations of your vessel, verifying the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.
For boating, beach and water safety information, visit the following resources:
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: http://www.cgaux.org/
Vessel Safety Checks: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/
Coast Guard Boating Safety page: http://www.uscgboating.org/
National Safe Boating Council: http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/
United States Lifesaving Association’s Top Ten Beach and Water Safety Tips: http://www.usla.org/?page=SAFETYTIPS
Being educated about safe boating could save a life. Most boating fatalities occur when the boat operator has not completed a boating safety education course. Courses cover many aspects of boating safety, from boat handling to reading the weather.
The Coast Guard also urges boaters to obtain a free vessel safety check, which is conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary before heading out on the water. Vessel safety checks are courtesy examinations of your vessel, verifying the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.
For boating, beach and water safety information, visit the following resources:
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: http://www.cgaux.org/
Vessel Safety Checks: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/
Coast Guard Boating Safety page: http://www.uscgboating.org/
National Safe Boating Council: http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/
United States Lifesaving Association’s Top Ten Beach and Water Safety Tips: http://www.usla.org/?page=SAFETYTIPS
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