by Don Greene

The navigation rules apply to everyone. There are two sets of rules to follow, inland and international.

Most of our sea time will be spent under the jurisdiction of the inland rules. Boating along in Long Island and Block Island Sounds offer the best fishing, swimming and relaxation opportunities on the east coast. Little Narragansett Bay, which includes Sandy Point up to Napatree Point, offers a safe clean anchoring area.

When traveling in these areas, you need to be cognizant of the tide levels. Be sure to pick up a current copy of the Eldridge Tide and Pilot book. This book will tell you when the tide turns northwest toward New Haven or southeast towards Block Island and Point Judith.

The purpose of these rules is to prevent collisions. Remember: there is no right of way for anyone traveling in the United States!

For example: You are making turns approximately 10 knots for a passage from the Pawcatuck River to Greenport, Long Island. You observe a vessel ahead of you traveling on the same course as you are. You sound one short blast from your horn. And await a return blast signifying that he is going to allow you to take him down your port side and safely pass him. According to the rules, he is to maintain his course and speed until you are safely past him.

All of a sudden he turns to starboard, and there is a collision. No one is hurt and very little damage to either vessel. You take the necessary information for your insurance company and the US Coast Guard report, which is due within 90 days. Before you continue your voyage, you should immediately write down what you saw and did along with damage to either vessel. Who was at fault?  Both of you. He did not wait for you to pass him be for he changed course. You were a fault because you did not wait for his horn blast signifying he heard and understood your signal. If he felt it was not safe because of traffic or rocks to his starboard. He was supposed to sound five short blasts to indicate danger. You both broke the navigation rules, therefore, both are at fault.

If you are ready for a free vessel safety inspection, call Donald Greene, support officer, Mystic Flotilla USCG Auxiliary at 860.608.1075. We will come to your boat and perform the inspection on land.

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by Captain Don Greene

As you navigate out into Fishers Island Sound, you look around the boat to make sure you have everything you need for a great afternoon of fishing: bait, case of coke, jug of drinking water and sandwiches for everybody.

Make sure you discuss with your guests and crew what each person will be expected to do in the event of an emergency, such as: persons overboard in the water, fishhook in the body, cuts and scrapes, sunstroke and hypothermia.

All of these situations we will cover in the next three or four monthly Resident printings along with seamanship and navigation.

Are you ready for a free vessel safety inspection? Call Donald Greene, support officer, Mystic Flotilla USCG Auxiliary at 860.608.1075. We will come to your boat and perform the inspection with you in attendance.

The U.S. Coast Guard Station, New London, calls upon the Coast Guard Auxiliary Mystic Flotilla #25-3 to provide as much training as possible for the boating public. I will cover as many topics in basic operation and navigation of your vessel as possible in the time and space available.

The increase in boat owners and boat operators on the waters of RI and CT without a boating license increases the amount of boating accidents resulting in death by drowning.

In most cases, wearing a lifejacket is the difference between a harrowing experience and a devastated family.

The boating “rules of the road” are not that much different from automobile rules. For example, keep as close as you can to the right side of the channel when you are coming in from sea.

By taking a safe boating course, you’ll learn about the importance of bouys. Here are a few things to start you off. Coming in from sea, the red buoys are even numbered starting with #R-2. The green buoys are odd numbered.

Going to sea, you bring the green buoys down your right side.  When approaching a buoy stay well clear of it, at least 4 feet. If the current or wind is pushing the buoy toward you do a 360-degree visual check if, clear turn to starboard or port, increase your speed enough to clear the buoy.

Stay tuned for the next article on safe boating.

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by Capt. Don Greene

I was sitting in my chair next to a beautiful roaring fireplace on a rainy Sunday afternoon, when I decided to get out a chart and my new Garmin GPS Model 478. I set out a course from Greenport, NY to Stonington Harbor.

See if you can chart the course. You just passed the 1GI flashing green buoy, at Gardiners Point, Long Island. You set a course for the flashing R10 (red bell buoy).

As you reach the eastern end of Fishers Island you notice that the sun has set and it is starting to get dark. You reach over to switch on your running lights and they do not turn on. You switch again. They flash very bright then off. You also notice that the GPS is turned off.

With all the rocks near you, what will you do after you get everyone into PFDS??

In the next printing of the Resident, I will finish plotting the course. If you cannot plot a course into Stonington Harbor, you need to attend our next boating class.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 25-03 will be conducting  a “Weekend Navigator” class.  The classes will be held on Saturday, April 4th and Saturday, April 11th.  The course will be held  from 9 am to 4 pm on both Saturdays at the Odd Fellows Home on Lestertown Road, Groton.

For information and/or registration please contact Bruce Buckley at 860.391.3364 or via email at cgaux.mysticct@yahoo.com. Fee is $75.

Ask Bruce to save you a seat.

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The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 25-03 will be conducting  a “Boating Skills & Seamanship” course starting Monday, January 12, 2009.  The course will be held seven Monday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 pm in Groton at the Odd Fellows Home.

For information and/or registration please contact Bruce Buckley at 860. 391.3364 or via email at cgaux.mysticct@yahoo.com. Fee is $60.

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The CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be temporarily closing the Thames River State Boat Launch in New London for renovations. The closure will be effective July 14, 2008 through August 28, 2008 while the State boat launch is being renovated.

Renovations to the Thames River State Boat Launch will include:

• Boat Ramp – installing a new ramp of pre-cast concrete, with a grooved surface

• Ramp Sides and Bottom – installing an interconnecting concrete block apron on the sides and bottom of the ramp to prevent erosion.

“The ramp replacement, which will be completed this summer, will improve boating operations and facilitate the safe and efficient launching and retrieval of boats,” said Eleanor Mariani, DEP’s Boating Division.

While the renovations are taking place, the public can utilize the following boat launches in the area: Dock Road in Waterford, and the K.E. Streeter and Bayberry Lane boat launches, both in Groton.

For additional state owned boat launches see the CT Boater’s Guide or visit www.ct.gov/dep

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