Best of Boating

Coast Guard Rescues Divers Struck By Own Boat

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - Two women divers are reportedly in stable condition yesterday after being lightly struck by the boat from which they had been diving.

At 3:15 pm yesterday the Coast Guard responded to call from the operator of a 27-foot pleasure craft reporting that the two divers the had been struck just outside of L.A. Harbor reportedly due to an inadvertent bump of the vessel's throttles.

A Coast Guard rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles as well as a rescue boat from Baywatch Cabrillo Beach responded to the scene where both divers were rescued. The women were transported to Los Angeles City Fire Station 110 where paramedics were waiting to transport them to Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance. 

With the upcoming 4th of July holiday boaters are reminded to maintain situational awareness, be careful of their surroundings, and follow good marine practices at all times.

BoatUS Showcases The "Boatiest" Colleges in America

ALEXANDRA, VA - For young scholars with a passion for the water, heading off to college often means a four-year hiatus from boating.  But not anymore with a new online resource, the BoatU.S. Guide to the Boatiest Colleges in America, which helps students find the top marine programs and extracurricular boating activities offered by four-year schools. 

The one-of-a-kind Guide premieres in the July 2009 issue of BoatUS Magazine, along with a list of “The 25 Boatiest Schools in America” — those that offer at least three different accredited marine-related programs, both academic and extracurricular.  Students can search the database by state or by program, such as Fisheries, Marine Engineering, Oceanography, Marine Biology, Sailing or Waterskiing.

National Boating Day on July 1

CHICAGO, IL - With the official start of summer last week, the U.S. Senate passed S. Res. 199, declaring July 1, 2009 National Boating Day.  The resolution recognizes the important role recreational boating and the boating industry play in the lives of the nation’s 70 million boaters and the U.S. economy.

“I am very pleased that the Senate passed this resolution recognizing July 1 as National Boating Day. The boating industry is very important to the economy of North Carolina and provides families with the opportunity to enjoy our state’s scenic treasures, from our mountain lakes to the Outer Banks,” said Senator Richard Burr.

USA Water Ski Picks 2009 Elite Water Ski Team

USA Water Ski announced the selection of the 2009 U.S. Elite Water Ski Team following the conclusion of the 2009 U.S. Water Ski Team Trials, June 19-21, in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. The six-member team will compete in the 31st Water Ski World Championships, Aug. 4-9, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The United States has won four consecutive world team titles at the biennial world championships.

Athletes selected to the 2009 U.S. Elite Water Ski Team were (alphabetical order): Rhoni Barton-Bischoff (Orlando, Fla.), April Coble-Eller (Lillington, N.C.), Regina Jaquess (Suwanee, Ga.), Freddy Krueger (Winter Garden, Fla.), Alex Lauretano (Winter Garden, Fla.) and Jimmy Siemers (Round Rock, Texas). The American Water Ski Association's International Activities Committee selected the team based on performances at the team trials.

Michigan's Clean Marina Program Adds Six Certified Marinas

LIVONIA, MI - The Michigan Clean Marina Program added six more facilities to its growing ranks.
The newly-certified marinas are: Algonac Harbour Club in Algonac; Lac La Belle State Harbor in Lac La Belle; Copper Harbor State Dock in Copper Harbor; Eagle Harbor State Dock in Eagle Harbor; Cedar River State Harbor in Cedar River; and Torresen Marine in Muskegon.  With the additions of these six marinas, a total of 30 Michigan marinas have been certified.

The clean marina certification begins with a pledge to participate in the program, followed by workshops
where the marina management and staff receive a handbook, overview of the designation process and a
review of best management practices.  The facilities then conduct self-evaluations of their environmental
practices to determine their strengths and weaknesses.  After implementing improvements and reaching a
level of competencies, the marina requests a visitation by a CMP consultant to evaluate the facility’s
environmental stewardship.  When the facility reaches established goals, they receive their designation.