Lighthouses of Dorchester Event Slated for May 7 at Visitor Center

The Choptank River Lighthouse Society plans to build a replica of this screwpile lighthouse that once served the Choptank River. This photo is from the 1950s is presented courtesy of the Choptank River Lighthouse Society.

     Cambridge, MD --  Have you heard about the wild, five-mile ride two keepers took -- inside the lighthouse? Do you know which well known Dorchester County family can claim the keeper of the original Choptank River Lighthouse? Have you heard the latest on the Hooper Island Lighthouse? Find out all this and more during the first-ever Lighthouses of Dorchester Town Hall Event on Saturday, May 7, 2-4 p.m. at the Dorchester County Visitor Center, 2 Rose Hill Place in Cambridge.
     Guest speakers from the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society will share stories and history about lighthouses in the waters surrounding Dorchester County and throughout the Bay. Henry Gonzalez, Vice President of the national U.S. Lighthouse Society and former President of its Chesapeake chapter, along with Sandy Clunies, Chapter Historian, will present a fascinating slide show about these lighthouses. They will also describe their ongoing plans to preserve and restore the Hooper Island Lighthouse and how you can get involved as a volunteer.
     Members of the Board of the Choptank River Lighthouse Society will also be on hand to give an update on efforts to build a replica of the former Choptank River Lighthouse on Pier A of the Cambridge City Marina. Wendy Brewer, author of "Keep Your Glow On," the just published, comprehensive guide to more than 800 U.S. lighthouses, will sign copies of her book.
     “Lighthouses and lighthouse keepers are a very important part of the heritage of any maritime area, and Dorchester County is no exception, since it had both a screwpile lighthouse in the Choptank River and still has an operating caisson in the Bay,” said Gonzalez. “It’s vital to the success of any lighthouse preservation and interpretation activities that the local residents be active participants, so this Town Hall is a great opportunity for them to ‘come aboard!’”
     This event is being organized by the Choptank River Lighthouse Society and the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society. Free and open to lighthouse enthusiasts and to anyone intrigued by the iconic symbols of our maritime heritage. Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of Paul's Subs. Seating is limited; please reserve your spot by calling 410.228.7977.

Mariners Advised of May 1 Competitions on Nanticoke and Chester rivers

Local Notice to Mariners

     Nanticoke River, MD -- Mariners are advised that the annual “Nanticoke River Swim & Triathlon” will be held on the Nanticoke River on Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The open water event includes approximately 500 participants swimming on a 3-mile and 1.8-mile triangular courses, and a triathlon sprint course along the north jetty at the Cedar Hill Marina in Bivalve, Maryland. As described in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 100.501, special local regulations establish a regulated area for all waters of the Nanticoke River, including Bivalve Channel and Bivalve Harbor, bounded by a line drawn from a point on the shoreline at latitude 38°18′00″ N, longitude 075°54′00″ W, thence westerly to latitude 38°18′00″ N, longitude 075°55′00″ W, thence northerly to latitude 38°20′00″ N, longitude 075°53′48″ W, thence easterly to latitude 38°19′42″ N, longitude 075°52′54″ W.
     The regulated area will be enforced from 9 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. on May 1, 2011. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain waters of the Nanticoke River, including Bivalve Channel and Bivalve Harbor. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio channel 16 or 22A VHF-FM. When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both.
     Mariners are urged to schedule their transits on this portion of the waterway beyond the enforcement times. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart : 12230.

     Chester River, MD -- Mariners are advised that the “Maryland High School Rowing Championships” are scheduled to occur in the Chester River on Sunday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Approximately 100 4-person and 8-person rowing shells (47 ft, 63 ft) with 14 teams will compete on marked course located between Chester River Channel Buoy 40 (LLNR 26815) and Wilmer Park, at Chestertown, MD. Participants will be supported by sponsor-provided safety/chase boats. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12272.
     Click here for the complete Local Notice to Mariners.

CRAB/Annapolis Community Boating Bash on Kentucky Derby Day

     Annapolis, MD -- May 7th is just around the corner, less than two weeks away. For many this means Kentucky Derby Day. Annapolis Community Boating understands that Maryland is still a big horse racing state. However there is something else happening that day that's even more fun and a lot closer. The Annapolis Spring Sails Event is May 7th & 8th.
     This year on May 7th the event will feature, among other things, the Grand Opening of the Back Creek Nature Park. Later that same day, beginning at 5:30 pm, the Pavilion at Port Annapolis Marina (7074 Bembe Beach Road, Annapolis) will host the annual Spring Sails Event to benefit Annapolis Community Boating and CRAB (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating), a full hour before post time. So even if you placed a bet on your favorite thoroughbred, the organizations invite you to join them for good food, great drinks and lots of dancing. Bring a smartphone so can watch the derby online.
      This year entertainment is being provided by DJ-JD and the local band Dirty Names. Betka of the Portside Cafe will be there grilling up some sausages, burgers and hotdogs for party-goers. Admission is $10 and benefits both clubs.

Volunteers are Needed     Volunteers are needed to help with the CRAB/Annapolis Community Boating Bash. There are shifts to fill from set-up to tear down and everything in-between. So if you are a good bartender or great with selling drink tickets, your help will be appreciated.
     Find out more at crabsailing.org and annapolisboating.org.
     Annapolis Community Boating is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to making boating accessible to the community. In collaboration with many local youth and boating-based organizations, Annapolis Community Boating is working to create a vibrant boating center that can be used by public and private organizations to introduce, teach, and inspire the community to get involved.
     CRAB (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making the thrill of sailing a reality for physically and/or developmentally-challenged individuals and for those individuals whose financial circumstances preclude their participation in recreation on the waters of Chesapeake Bay.

Bay Bridge Boat Show Set to Begin with a Boatload of New Attractions

     Stevensville, MD -- Spring weather means it’s time to start gearing up for a summer season on the Chesapeake, and what better place to start the process than the Bay Bridge Boat Show, located at the Bay Bridge Marina on Kent Island and running from April 28 through May 1.
     With four days to wander through more than 150 land-based exhibits and check out over 200 new and brokerage boats in the water and displayed on the marina grounds, the Bay Bridge Boat Show offers a one-stop shopping opportunity for all your boating needs. It's a great place to comparison shop and figure out what boat best suits your needs and interests.
     Two huge tents offer the latest in gear, gadgets and services, plus experts ready to answer your questions about their products. Docks lined with dramatic state-of-the-art vessels as well as time-tested used boats make comparison shopping easy. Add a host of land-based and shoreside activities that will engage the whole family and you’ve got a good idea of what the show has to offer.
     Boat dealers are reporting an uptick in boat sales, but boat pricing is still competitive. The dealers are ready to deal and financial services are eager to make loans to qualified buyers. Climb aboard the vessels on display and see for yourself what all the hype is about.
     For tickets and more information about all the show's new attractions, visit usboat.com.

Wendell Winner of Boatyard Bar and Grill Fishing Tournament

     Eastport, MD -- Andrew Wendell of Pasadena won his second Boatyard Bar and Grill fishing tournament on opening day of Maryland's trophy striped bass season. Wendell, who had won the 2009 tournament, survived miserable fishing conditions and reeled in a 42 7/8-inch fish near Bloddy Point to win the catch-and-release tournament again.
     Wendell said he used a green parachute rig to lure in the monster rockfish.
     The tournament raised money for conservation and youth programs. Anglers measure their fish with an official stick and take a digital photo to show judges.
     Jesse Bucker caught a 42 3/16-inch striper near the Bay Bridge on a chartreuese parachute rig to take second place. Glenn Bogarde brought in a 42 1/8-inch fish on a yellow umbrella rig near Matapeake for third.
     The tournament was extended into Sunday due to high winds and heavy seas. Tony Cullember's 42-inch rockfish, caught on Day Two claimed fourth place and Tom Pruett's 40 7/8-inch fish completed the top five finishers.

Anglers Who Catch and Kill Snakeheads Elligible for Prizes

     Annapolis, MD -- In an effort to stem the spread of the invasive snakehead fish the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC), and the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS) are providing an opportunity to win prizes for anglers who catch, kill and enter photos of the snakeheads through the DNR online Angler’s Log social fishing site at http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishingreport/log.asp.
     “We do not want Snakeheads in our waters,” says DNR Inland Fisheries Director Don Cosden. “This initiative is a way to remind anglers that it is important to catch and kill this destructive species of fish.”
     The Northern snakehead is a non-native fish species that was illegally introduced to the Potomac River. Snakeheads have thrived and expanded due to their ability to adapt to the Potomac’s ecosystem, and they now occupy the Potomac River and many of its tributaries. As top predators, their negative impacts to the ecosystem and other important recreational and commercially valued fisheries could be significant.
     From now until December 31, 2011, anyone who catches a Northern snakehead with a hook-and-line and posts the catch including a photo of the dead fish on DNR’s Angler’s Log will be entered into a year end drawing. Anglers should report the location of their snakehead catches, as specifically as possible and include a ruler or another measuring device to indicate the size of the fish in the photo. Prizes include a $200 rod and tackle package, a Maryland State Park Passport and a 2012 Potomac River Fishing license. The park passport allows unlimited day-use entry for up to 10 people in a vehicle, unlimited boat launching at ALL facilities and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals.
     If the snakehead has a tag inserted in its back, you may also call (800) 448-8322 and report the tag number to receive a special edition hat and a certificate from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.
     It is not expected that angler removals will eradicate snakeheads from Maryland waters, but DNR believes that this action may help slow or reduce snakehead abundance. It has been demonstrated that fisheries with high harvest rates can significantly depress fish populations. Information gained from anglers will also help biologists assess abundance and impacts to other species. Anglers should remember that is illegal to possess a live northern snakehead in Maryland and Federal law prohibits transport of live snakeheads into the U.S. or across state lines.

Sound Level Limits on Elk, Northeast Rrivers Focus of Public Hearing

• PUBLIC NOTICE:  Vessel Noise Levels  - Elk and Northeast Rivers
  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed new sound level limits for vessels using the Elk and Northeast Rivers and all tributaries including the Bohemia River and the C&D Canal. The hearing will be held at the Elkton High School (Room F-107), 110 James Street, Elkton, MD 21921 on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m.
  
  Interested parties who have questions or wish to submit comments via e-mail may do so by contacting Mike Grant, Regulations Coordinator for Boating Services at mgrant@dnr.state.md.us or by U.S. mail to Mike Grant, Regulations Coordinator, DNR-Boating Services Unit, 580 Taylor Avenue, E-4, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or by telephone at 410-260-8013.
  
• PUBLIC NOTICE:  Vessel Noise Levels – Deep Creek Lake
  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed new sound level limits for vessels using Deep Creek Lake. The hearing will be held at the Deep Creek Lake State Park & Natural Resource Management Area, 898 State Park Road, Swanton, MD 21561 on Thursday, May 26, 2011. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m.
  
  Interested parties who have questions or wish to submit comments via e-mail may do so by contacting Mike Grant, Regulations Coordinator for Boating Services at mgrant@dnr.state.md.us or by U.S. mail to Mike Grant, Regulations Coordinator, DNR-Boating Services Unit, 580 Taylor Avenue, E-4, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or by telephone at 410-260-8013.

Pride of Baltimore II to Salute Governor William Donald Schaefer

     Baltimore, MD -- Baltimore’s Topsail Schooner, Pride of Baltimore II, and her crew will honor Governor William Donald Schaefer as his casket is driven by the Inner Harbor on its way to lie in state at City Hall. Pride of Baltimore II will be docked at the West Wall of the Inner Harbor in front of Gov. Schaefer’s statue. Pride of Baltimore II’s cannon will salute Schaefer as he is driven by his bronze statue near the Visitor Center. The schooner will then be open for free deck tours until 9:00 p.m. Monday, April 25. The ship will also be open for free deck tours on Tuesday, April 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on the day of Governor Schaefer’s funeral Wednesday, April 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. At noon April 27, Pride of Baltimore II’s crew will again salute Don Schaefer with the ship’s cannon fire.
     Pride of Baltimore was, and Pride of Baltimore II is, a manifestation of then Mayor Schaefer’s “do-it-now” mandates. He was a champion of both Prides and the nonprofit organization Pride of Baltimore, Inc. It was his vision that not only built the two Prides, but also his vision to use Baltimore’s topsail schooner as a traveling international business development tool and goodwill ambassador for the City of Baltimore, the State of Maryland and its citizens. Pride of Baltimore II is now owned and operated by the nonprofit Pride of Baltimore, Inc. and she continues to sail internationally promoting Maryland and U.S. maritime history. On May 30, Pride of Baltimore II departs for New York, Boston, Canada and the Great Lakes. She will return to Baltimore in November 2011.

Lapidum Boating Facility Complete on the Susquehanna River

     Havre de Grace, MD -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has finished renovations of the Lapidum Boating Facility in Susquehanna State Park. The project was a partnership effort between DNR, the Department of General Services and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
      “The Lapidum Boating Facility is an integral part of the statewide recreational and local boating community,” said Robert Gaudette, Director of the DNR’s Boating Services Unit. “The inter-departmental teamwork that helped complete this project shows DNR’s dedication to safe, high-quality boating access for everyone.”
     The facility provides direct access to the Susquehanna River downstream of the Conowingo Dam, an area renowned for fishing, boating, hunting and general recreation for the public. The renovations included replacing the deteriorated boarding pier with a state-of-the-art floating dock, improving both the safety and ease of use of the facility at the varying water levels experienced at Lapidum. The stone breakwater was also renovated to provide essential protection from storms and wave action and the parking area was expanded to accommodate more users due to high demand. The new and improved facility is also ADA compliant.
     The total cost of the construction phase was $435,000, with funds coming from both state and federal sources. State funding was provided through a DNR Waterway Improvement Fund grant of $135,000. Revenue for the fund comes from the one-time 5 percent excise tax paid when a boat is purchased and titled in the State of Maryland. The Waterway Improvement Fund was created in 1966 to support the development, use, and enjoyment of all waters in Maryland for the benefit of the general boating public.
     The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provided $300,000 through the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program which is a user pay, user benefit grant program funded by federal excise tax on fishing equipment and fuel tax from motor boats. Benefits from the taxes collected are passed on to the boaters and anglers through the funding of public recreational motor boat improvements such as those at Lapidum.

Mariners Advised of Wednesday Night Sail Races on Severn River

Local Notice to Mariners

     Chesapeake Bay, MD -- Mariners are advised that the Annapolis Yacht Club’s 2011 Wednesday night sail racing series is scheduled to occur on the Severn River and Spa Creek from April 27 through September 7 (excluding July 6), between 6 p.m. and approx. 9 p.m. Each race consists of up to 25 participants, with 10 fleets starting at various times, and a maximum of 140 participating sailboats and auxiliary sailboats (12.5 to 71 feet in length).
     The races will occur in the Chesapeake Bay south of Hackett Point Shoal Buoy 1 (LLNR 7820) and north of Annapolis Harbor Channel Lighted Bell Buoy 2 (LLNR 19695), in the Severn River east of Spa Creek, and in Spa Creek with a finish line off the Annapolis Yacht Club.
     Interested mariners may contact the Special Events Race Committee boat on marine band radio channel 65A VHF-FM, if necessary. Chart 12282.
     For the complete Local Notice to Mariners visit http://navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm05162011.pdf

Coast Guard Rescues Two Anglers Near Breezy Point

     Baltimore, MD -- A Coast Guard crew rescued two people aboard a 19-foot motorboat that was taking on water while fishing near Breezy Point, Md., in the Chesapeake Bay, Sunday.
     Rescued was Brenda Scott and Ricky White, from North Beach, Maryland.
     White contacted Coast Guard Sector Baltimore watchstanders at 9:42 a.m. via marine-band radio reporting that their vessel was taking on water while fishing east of Breezy Point. Rescue crews from Coast Guard Station Oxford, Md., Maryland Natural Resources Police and Calvert County Fire Rescue launched rescue boat crews to assist.
     At approximately 10:32 a.m., the 27-foot Utility Boat crew from Station Oxford arrived on scene and began assisting the passengers. The Coast Guard crew transferred Scott onto the rescue boat while White remained aboard to continue dewatering the vessel. The vessel was reported to be taking on one gallon of water per minute.
     The rescue crew put the vessel in tow and transported it to the Breezy Point Marina in Chesapeake Beach. There are no reports of injuries.
     “Our new Rescue 21 system allowed us to narrow in our search area, which helped us to rescue these boaters more effectively,” said Bradley Stickles, a rescue coordinator at Sector Baltimore.
     As the boating season starts, the Coast Guard urges mariners to check their distress signaling devices before going out on the water. It is important to check the expiration date of flares and to ensure that boaters have a working marine-band radio to contact rescuers in the event of a distress.

Bond Bill Approved for Choptank River Lighthouse

     Cambridge, MD --  At the end of the legislative session, Maryland lawmakers approved a $230,000 local bond bill for the Choptank River Lighthouse. The funds will go toward the construction of the "cottage," or top half of the replica lighthouse, which is part of Phase 3 of the project. Lighthouse organizers credited Senator Richard Colburn and Delegate Rudolph Cane, who sponsored the legislation.
     Private sector support continues to grow for the lighthouse project. Most recently, the Nathan Foundation donated $5,000 to the efforts. The Choptank River Lighthouse Society already has sufficient funds in hand to construct the platform. So far, nearly $550,000 has been donated, pledged, or provided through grants -- which is very close to the estimated $600,000 needed to construct the lighthouse and establish a maintenance fund.
     "I can't overstate how excited the Lighthouse Society Board is that we have come this far," said George Wright, President of the Choptank River Lighthouse Society. "This lighthouse will be a real shot in the arm for Cambridge and Dorchester County and something we can all take pride in. Thank you to all who have helped make this dream come into view."
     The society is still looking for volunteers with construction experience to help build the cottage portion of the lighthouse and help the project stay within budget.
      The lighthouse is expected to encourage economic development in Cambridge and Dorchester County. The U.S. Lighthouse Society estimates that the lighthouse could draw 20,000-30,000 visitors a year.

Schooner Sultana to Visit Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum May 7-14

     St. Michaels, Maryland -- On the afternoon of Saturday, May 7, the schooner Sultana will arrive at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland. The replica schooner will be at the museum and on the Chesapeake with students throughout the week. Sultana will be docked along the museum's harbor-side through the early morning of Saturday, May 14.
     The Sultana will be open for boarding to all museum visitors from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 10. The tour is free for museum members or with museum admission.
     The schooner Sultana serves as an on-the-water classroom for learning about the history and environment of the Chesapeake Bay. An almost exact replica of a British schooner that patrolled the North American coast just prior to the American Revolution, Sultana provides day-long programs for up to 32 participants as well as live-aboard programs for up to nine guests.
     The member-supported Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is open 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week. For more information, visit http://www.cbmm.org/ or call 410-745-2916.

Revised Maryland Fish Advisories: You Can Eat More Striped Bass

     Baltimore, MD -- Revised fish consumption advisories from the Maryland Department of the Environment show that a healthy diet can include more striped bass than previously recommended. MDE’s revised advisories increase the recommended meal limits for striped bass for nearly every population group for fish caught in the Chesapeake Bay or in Maryland’s Atlantic coastal waters. The new recommendations stem from recent test results that showed a significant decline in levels of contaminants in striped bass from Maryland waters. Also, MDE data suggest that contaminant levels are even lower in striped bass fillets prepared, as the Department has long recommended, without fatty portions of the fish.
     “Anyone who enjoys eating Maryland striped bass will welcome this news,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “This is good news for anglers who catch fish to feed themselves and their families and for businesses that benefit from recreational fishing. It’s also heartening for everyone working to restore the Chesapeake Bay.”
     “Maryland's fish consumption advisories help us make the best choices about what fish we eat and how often we eat them as part of a healthy diet," said MDE Acting Secretary Robert M. Summers. "Contamination has decreased in the striped bass we tested, and although we do not have the data to identify a specific explanation for the decline, PCBs have been banned in the United States since 1979, and we're encouraged by this positive indication of the improving quality of our waters."
     The striped bass, also known as rockfish, is the iconic species of Maryland sport fishing. Its population, once so threatened that a moratorium was placed on its harvesting, has rebounded in recent years.
     The revised advisories being announced also include recommendations on the consumption of bluefish caught in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast.

The advisories: old versus new     Under the new advisories, the recommended meal limits for the general population for smaller striped bass caught in the Chesapeake Bay increased by 50 percent, from two per month to three per month. Also, the advisories no longer include the “avoid” recommendation that had existed for women and children for certain striped bass.
     The differences between the old and new advisories reflect a significant decline in the level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in striped bass analyzed by MDE. Median PCB levels fell by more than half between fish analyzed from 2001 to 2005 and fish analyzed in 2009 and 2010 (see Table 2). MDE does not have the information needed to draw specific conclusions about the factors that led to these results, but the Department is encouraged by this data and will continue to track contaminant levels in striped bass and other fish.

Fillet preparation affects PCB levels     When filleting, MDE recommends removing fatty portions where PCBs tend to concentrate, including the belly flap and the dark meat along the side of the fillet. To evaluate this recommendation in striped bass, MDE compared PCB levels in non-fatty dorsal fillet samples to whole fillet samples. PCB levels were reduced by 75 to 91 percent in the dorsal samples, with the general trend being a greater reduction with increasing size of fish. These results support the value of the filleting recommendations and give Marylanders a good reason to consider how they prepare striped bass fillets, in addition to following the meal limits in the striped bass advisory.

New bluefish advisories      MDE is also releasing an advisory for bluefish caught in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastal waters. MDE has been able to obtain PCB data on bluefish smaller than 15 inches and greater than 28 inches but not on fish between 15 and 28 inches. Based on the available data for bluefish, MDE recommends a limit of two meals per month for bluefish less than 15 inches in length, but to avoid consumption of bluefish 15 inches and longer. These advisories could change as MDE learns more about the medium-size bluefish.

General information about MDE’s fish consumption advisories     Fish can be an important part of a healthy diet. They are a good source of high-quality protein and nutrients and are low in saturated fat. They are high in helpful omega fatty acids. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish can contribute to a child’s proper growth and development. The American Heart Association recommends that adults eat fish at least twice a week for a healthier heart.
     MDE’s fish consumption advisories provide recommended limits on how often certain fish can be eaten and still enjoy the health benefits while minimizing health risks. They are intended for people who eat Maryland fish on a regular basis, including people who fish in local waters to provide food for themselves and their families and people who eat Maryland fish caught by sport fishermen.
     To develop the advisories, MDE analyzes fish tissue for two contaminants which can pose health risks and which are known to accumulate in fish: PCBs and methylmercury.
     PCBs, which have been banned in the United States since 1979, are synthetic oils that were primarily used as insulating fluids in heavy-duty electrical equipment. They enter the environment in multiple ways, including releases through faulty and broken equipment and unauthorized dumping. PCBs are very stable; once they are in the environment, they take a long time to break down and are still present in our environment today. The manufacture of PCBs was banned because of accumulation in the environment and risks to human health. They are taken up into the bodies of small organisms and fish. As a result, people who eat the fish may be exposed to PCBs that have accumulated in the fish.
     Methylmercury is a form of mercury, a metal that occurs naturally but is also released into the environment by some industrial processes and the burning of coal and municipal solid waste. Mercury is converted to methylmercury by bacteria in water and soil. Fish absorb methylmercury as they feed. It builds up more in some types of fish than others.
     Both contaminants are thought to pose risks to developing brains, and PCBs are suspected to cause cancer in humans. The PCB and methylmercury data from fish sample testing are used in mathematical equations that factor in health risks to calculate the recommended number of meals. Updated statistical assumptions and new test results, as they become available, are being used in calculations to determine revised advisories. MDE expects to issue revised consumption advisories for other species and waterbodies in the near future.
     The advisories include separate categories for women and children because pregnant women, babies, and young children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of methylmercury and PCBs because of the potential harmful effect on developing brains.
     The advisories for a species can also differ for the size of the fish. Larger fish tend to accumulate higher levels of contaminants than smaller fish.
     MDE publicizes fish consumption advisories in a number of ways, including information on the Department’s website, postings at fishing locations as practical, and through outreach to target audiences such as anglers, through the guidebook typically distributed with fishing licenses, and to pregnant women and to children, through WIC centers.
     To view this press release and related charts visit http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/PressRoom/Pages/041311.aspx

Keith Lockwood's Maryland Fishing Report, April 13

     Chesapeake Bay, Ocean City, MD -- Anticipation is always a stirring emotion for fishermen and it tends to bring them back to that youthful “just can’t wait” feelings we all tend to lose in our overburdened day to day trials. Although trout season is well underway and the opening day fever is under control there is still the excitement of additional in season stocking taking place every week. All fishermen know the anticipation of a good cast in a promising spot; it makes fishing what it is. These past couple of weeks on my travels to Fishing Challenge award centers, I’ve had the opportunity to be near boatyards and tackle shops where the anticipation of the striped bass season opener has captains and fishermen is bubbling over with excitement. The weather forecast for this Saturday’s opener looks a little rough with thunderstorms and wind predicted so be careful and use good judgment.
     There was a large spawn this past weekend on the upper Nanticoke and Choptank Rivers and this was the first really big spawn of the season. Many experts will agree that the largest female striped bass tend to spawn first and these big girls are now headed down the tidal rivers and out into the bay. They are going to head out into the bay and take a left turn once they hit the shipping channel steep edges so good luck to you all and keep on the lookout for pre-spawn striped bass that are still heading up the bay.
     Fishermen will be trolling arrays of large parachutes and bucktails this weekend on flat lines and planer boards but there are other ways to catch your trophy striped bass also. There will certainly be a crew at the CCNPP warm water discharge jigging with light tackle and soft plastic jigs. Sandy Point State Park is always a very popular spot for shore based fishermen using surf fishing tackle and bottom rigs baited with bloodworms and cut bait. The sandy tip of the beach where the current rips by is always the go to place for fishermen in the know. The Matapeake Fishing Pier and. the Point Lookout Pier will also get their share of attention this weekend.

Hinckley Names Jennifer Richards as Director of Annapolis Office

Jennifer Richards has taken the helm as Brokerage Director for Hinckley in Annapolis.

     Annapolis, MD -- The Hinckley Company, an iconic brand in American boatbuilding, today announced that Jennifer Richards, Certified Professional Yacht Broker, will take the helm as Brokerage Director in their Annapolis, Maryland office.
     Hinckley chief executive officer James P. McManus said: “As the Annapolis office Brokerage Director, Jennifer displays a very strong ability to understand her customers’ wishes and help them fulfill their boating dreams. We’re excited to have Jennifer aboard as she is committed to building the Hinckley business and shares a passion for the Hinckley brand.”
     Richards is a licensed captain, a Certified Professional Yacht Broker as well as very active in the local boating community.
     Hinckley, a privately held company founded in 1928, is renowned for its premium sailboats and power boats. The company builds its boats in Trenton and Southwest Harbor, Maine, and operates eight service yards along the U.S. East Coast. Hinckley has approximately 1,500 boat owners and 5,000 service customers worldwide.

Maryland NRP Charge Nine Anglers with Poaching Striped Bass

     Preston, MD -- The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) have charged nine recreational anglers from Delaware and Texas for illegally fishing in a designated striped bass spawning area in the Choptank River. The charges come just days before the opening of trophy striped bass season on April 16.
     “The majority of Atlantic striped bass are born and return to spawn in very discreet areas throughout Maryland. For the health of the population, it is illegal to fish for striped bass in those areas during the annual spawn,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “Disregard for this fragile ecosystem -- and our state fish -- will not be tolerated.”
     “The spawning reaches and areas of Chesapeake Bay are closed to the targeting and catching of striped bass during the spawning season,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “Spawning imposes significant energy demands on large female striped bass, and the stress of catch-and-release while spawning or in spawning areas can cause behavioral changes, including “fallback”, a phenomenon in which upstream migrating striped bass begin downstream following release.”
     On April 9, NRP Officers set up surveillance in the Choptank River near Ganeys Wharf in Caroline County after receiving tips of people fishing illegally. The area is designated as a striped bass spawning river and reach, and catching or attempting to catch striped bass is illegal. NRP officers caught and charged four anglers on April 9 and five more the next day.
     “Coastal Conservation Association Maryland believes that anglers both commercial and recreational bear the same burden of protecting Maryland's natural resources. The recreational anglers caught poaching on the Choptank must be held accountable for their illegal actions,” said Tony Friedrick, Executive Director of CCA MD. “CCA MD applauds the work of the Natural Resources Police and hopes this sends a clear message to all those who would consider breaking natural resources law.”
     Officers charged Terry Edward Andrus of Cypress, TX; Timothy Wayne Barnett, 31, of Bridgeville DE; Paul Edward Daisey, 30, of Millville, DE; William Darr Hall, 57, of Bridgetown, DE; Kevin Glen Reese, 46, of Katy, TX; Frederick Joseph Ruff, 49, of Milton, DE; Kathy Ewing Ruff, 49, of Milton, DE; Mark Bryan Stubbs of Katy, TX, and Chad Edward Tingle, 35, of Selbyville, DE.
     All those arrested face catch/attempt to catch striped bass in a spawning area/river between March 1 and May 31 charges. The penalty includes a fine of up to $500 and $1,500 per fish for each individual and a possible license suspension for up to one year. A court date has been set for May 13 in Caroline County District Court. Charges, fines and court dates are the same for all subjects. An additional seven warnings were also issued.
     Earlier this year, NRP recovered 25 thousand pounds of illegally rockfish caught rockfish. DNR is offering a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
     In the state’s ongoing efforts to protect the public trust, the 2011 General Assembly enacted several bills that would increase NRP authority and penalties for illegal fishing.

Divers Participating in Earth Day Program on the Magothy River

Local Notice to Mariners
     Magothy River, MD -- Mariners are advised that diving operations are scheduled to occur in the Magothy River on Saturday, April 16, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Up to 20 SCUBA divers will participate in the annual Earth Day program, which will take place outside the navigation channel south of Chest Neck Point and south of Dobbin Hill. Safety patrol personnel on scene can be contacted on marine band radio channel 16 VHF-FM.
     For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at telephone 410-576-2674 or e-mail at Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12280.
     For the latest and complete Local Notice to Mariners, click on this link: http://navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm05152011.pdf

North East River Yacht Club Announces Schedule for Summer Sailing Program

     North East, MD -- North East River Yacht Club has announced its weekly "Learn to Sail" sessions will be held from June 13 through August 8 this summer. The club offers a weekly summer camp program for junior sailors, ages 7-18. The program encourages young sailors to experience the joy of sailing and teaches the essential elements of boat handling, seamanship, water safety skills, and racing in a safe and fun environment.
     Camps are held Monday through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The club’s fleet of Sunfish, Lasers and Optimist dinghys allow a great deal of hands-on training in the sheltered waters of the Northeast River. Sailors are also welcome to bring and use their own boat. The program offers instruction at all levels -- beginners, intermediate, and advanced racing.
     Instructors are CPR and First Aid certified, and hold U.S. Sailing Instructor certification. Sailing camp fees are $100 per week for NERYC members, and $160 per week for non-members.
     The NERYC web site (www.NERYC.com) has full program details and application forms. Supervised care is available from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To maintain a quality program, participation is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Anglers Preparing for Spring Trophy Striped Bass Season

     By Keith Lockwood
     Chesapeake Bay -- Boat yards have been a buzz and travel lifts are working overtime as fishermen finish up that last coat of bottom paint and get their boats berthed for further preparations. Those that trailer their boats can be seen in backyards and driveways throughout the region getting everything ship shape. The anticipation of the opening of the trophy Striped Bass Season next Saturday, April 16, is bubbling over; it rivals the excitement of a 7-year-old child the week before Christmas.
     Fishermen have been getting out on the bay to practice a little pre-season catch and release by either trolling or by light tackle jigging. The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) warm water discharge is just about the most popular and productive place to practice some catch and release light tackle jigging for striped bass and fishermen have been enjoying themselves while being very careful with the big fish. Water temperatures in the middle and lower bay are holding in the upper 40's so it's a natural that striped bass migrating up the bay take time for a little spell in what one might consider a dip in a hot tub for fish.
     Shore based fishermen have been catching and releasing striped bass at prominent points on the bay and few are as popular as Sandy Point State Park. Stout surf fishing gear, circle hooks and bottom rigs baited with bloodworms or cut bait are the ticket to the fun. Fishermen are reminded though to come prepared with heavy tackle, rubber boots so one can meet the fish in shallow water for removing the hook. Dragging these pre-spawn fish up on the sand causes severe injury to the slime layer that is essential to their survival. Responsible fishermen already know that is illegal to target striped bass in the spawning reaches of the tidal rivers. The striped bass are already spawning now in the Choptank, Nanticoke and Patuxant Rivers so let them procreate to their fullest; a good reproductive year and a strong year class of young striped bass would be a fine thing indeed.
     Water temperatures in the Susquehanna flats region are still at or below the 45-degree mark; a warm spell will help raise the temperature and the catch and release fishery there should improve soon. A few industrious fishermen have been trying their luck for the last week or so and a few large striped bass are beginning to be caught and released. When the water is this cold many fishermen start with circle hooks and fresh cut bait from gizzard shad or herring and drift through areas that may hold fish.
     Fisheries biologists that are surveying hickory shad report that they've found them holding in the Susquehanna; so all it takes is a warming trend and the fish will soon be entering Deer and Octoraro Creeks; providing some exciting catch and release action for fishermen. Word is that fishermen are beginning to catch them at Fletcher's on the Potomac this week. White perch continue to move slowly move down the tidal rivers after their spawning runs and fishermen are catching them by fishing with bottom rigs baited with grass shrimp from shore or small boats in the channel areas. Channel catfish are very active now and no doubt fishermen drifting cut bait on circle hooks in the Susquehanna Flats area will be catching them while targeting striped bass. The tidal rivers have plenty of them also and they can make a tasty shore side lunch when deep fried in your favorite batter with hush puppies; a real treat and a lasting memory when taking young anglers fishing.
     The trout management areas continue to offer some wonderful fishing opportunities for fishermen whether your target is a trout dinner from one of the generously stocked put and take areas or just enjoying the fun of catching and releasing trout in the non- take management areas. Water levels are good and the weather looks promising through the weekend so get out there and enjoy. If you have a young angler, be sure to check the trout stocking website on the Fisheries Service Home page and take them to a youth only fishing area.
     Fishing for largemouth bass continues to be good as warming water temperatures in the freshwater and tidal river areas causes the bass to be more active. They are in a pre-spawn feeding mode and are looking to build up body stores for the coming spawning time. Emerging grass edges and sunken wood are always good places to look for bass as are creek mouths. Small crankbaits, spinnerbaits work well along edges and dropping a whacky rigged plastic worm down through sunken wood is always a good bet.
     The western region fisheries biologists report fishing for walleyes, large yellow perch and smallmouth bass has been very good at Deep Creek Lake. Grass edges and steep edges have been productive places to cast or troll crankbaits or drift live bait. John Mullican reports that the upper Potomac has calmed down and fishing has been good for a mix of walleyes and smallmouth bass.
     Fishermen in the coastal areas near Ocean City are catching a few tautog in and around the Ocean City Inlet area. Water temperatures are still in the 44-degree range so the best tautog fishing is at the end of an ebb tide. Offshore the party boat fleet is finding tautog and a few cod fish on the wreck sites. The bite has tended to be a bit slow because of cold water temperatures but some impressive sized tautog are being caught. Surf fishing prospects tend focus around pesky skates and the hope of an undersized striped bass. It will be close to a month before the post-spawn striped bass coming out of the Chesapeake begin to make their way along Maryland beaches.

Bay Bridge Boat Show Returning to Bay Bridge Marina April 28-May 1

The annual Bay Bridge Boat Show, hosted by United States Yacht Shows, returns to the Bay Bridge Marina this year, April 28-May 1.

     Stevensville, MD -- The annual Bay Bridge Boat Show, the spring’s largest in-water boat show on the Chesapeake, returns to the Bay Bridge Marina April 28-May 1. Every year the show features the latest boats on the market as well as educational seminars and exhibitor booths displaying virtually everything the cruising and fishing world has to offer. This year’s show will also include a weigh station for the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association’s annual spring striped bass tournament, the largest striper tourney in the country. A Delmarva Dock Dogs competition will be held Friday through Sunday. There's plenty more going on this year. Tickets and complete information are available at usboat.com.

Coast Guard Warns Boaters of Illegal Charter Boats

     Baltimore, MD -- Coast Guard Sector Baltimore cautions passengers who pay to go fishing in the Chesapeake Bay during the 2011 fishing season to avoid boats that do not have licensed captains, and in some cases, have not been inspected by the Coast Guard.
     According to Coast Guard investigators, the number of vessels reported to be illegally charging to carry people has increased over the last two years and is most frequent in the areas of Kent and Tilghman Islands, Rock Hall, Annapolis and the Potomac River in Charles County.
     Illegal charter boats are uninspected vessels or are operated by a captain without a mariner’s license, or in some instances both. The operation of a charter vessel without the required vessel documents and operator license is a violation of federal law, and if caught, the operator could be subject to criminal or civil liability. The regulations are in place to help ensure the safety of passengers. When all regulations are met a Certificate of Inspection is given, showing that a vessel has met the Coast Guard safety standards in regard to fire extinguishing systems, vessel de-watering capabilities, life saving and navigation equipment requirements.
     A boat captain must also have a mariner's license in order to legally operate a charter. Coast Guard issued mariner's licenses show that the operator of a commercial vessel has met proficiency requirements in navigation, seamanship as well as steering and sailing rules. A paying passenger cannot be assured of the operator's competency or the soundness of the vessel without a valid license and inspection certificate.
     “While it might seem like a great deal, it’s important to remember that illegal charter boats can charge less because they do not have the added expense of complying with safety regulations,” said Cmdr. Kelly Post, chief of prevention at Sector Baltimore. “You get what you pay for, so beware of a deal that seems too good to be true.”
     The Coast Guard advises the public to ask the boat’s captain to show them his or her original Coast Guard license. If the boat is carrying more than six passengers, it is required to be inspected by the Coast Guard, and the Certificate of Inspection should be displayed in an area accessible to passengers.
     “What’s astonishing is the number of people who knowingly pay to fish aboard illegal vessels just to save a few dollars,” said Post. “People would expect a commercial airline to have a licensed pilot aboard and the plane to meet safety standards, so people should not be willing to put their lives, and the lives of their family and friends, at risk by going out on the water aboard illegal charter vessels. The Coast Guard is dedicated to reducing loss of life, injuries, and property damage that occur on U.S. waterways. We need the public’s help by refusing to go out on vessels unless the captain can produce his original Coast Guard license, and for inspected vessels, the Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection.”
     If the public wants to verify a captain’s license or the inspected status of a vessel carrying more than six passengers, or to report an illegal charter operation, they can call Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 410-576-2558.

Janes Island State Park Open House Set for April 23

     Crisfield, MD -- Janes Island State Park officials invite mariners, families, civic organizations, churches, schools and youth groups to attend its open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday April 23.
     Planned activities include a hayride through the park, kite making, crabbing and/or fishing on the Daugherty Creek Canal, canoeing or kayaking at the marina, a Scales & Tales live animal display, Geocaching and other family activities, games and crafts.
     There is no cost to attend and free refreshments will be provided.
     The Julie Schweikert Nature Center, the Daugherty Creek Conference Center, a full-size cabin, and a camper cabin will be open for tours and rental information. For more information, contact Beth Shafer at the Janes Island Park Office at 410-968-1565.
     Accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Seven days advance notice is requested.

April Events Scheduled at the Calvert Marine Museum

     Mariners and their families and friends are invited to celebrate spring and visit the Calvert Marine Museum in April with programs, events, and activities for visitors of all ages. Visit the website at http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/ for complete information.

Sunday, April 10: Sunday Conversations with Chesapeake Authors features Dr. Karen Shanor, presenting her popular book Bats Sing, Mice Giggle: The Surprising Science of Animals' Inner Lives at 2:00 p.m. Books are available for purchase in the museum store. A book signing will follow the presentation. FREE.

Thursdays, April 14 and 21: Sea Squirts: Children Cloud Pictures. Join us as we read Spilt Milk and then make shapes in our own clouds. Free drop-in program for toddlers 18 months - 3 years old and their caregivers from 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

CMM SPRING BREAK FUN: APRIL 18 - 25
Monday, April 18: Otter Day: Touch a pelt, examine teeth and feet, and see how otters relate to you. Make an otterly great craft in the Discovery Room loft from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Tuesday, April 19: Otter Breakfast: Go behind the scenes to talk with an aquarist and observe a feeding. Continental breakfast will be provided. Children must be 8 years or older and accompanied by an adult. Fee is $15 per person; $10 for members. Preregistration required, call 410-326-2042, ext. 41.
Janie Suss will read from her book Oscar and Olive Osprey: A Family Takes Flight, the true story of two ospreys that build a nest in front of the author's Chesapeake Bay home. Join us from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the lobby. Books are available for purchase in the museum store. FREE.

Wednesday, April 20: Make Your Own Fishing Pole: Learn to make and take home a bamboo fishing pole in the boat basin from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. $3 donation requested. Museum admission is required.

Thursday, April 21: Explore the Matrix: Dig into some dirt and learn how paleontologists do what they do with half-hour sessions on the hour starting at 1:00 p.m. in the classroom. Sign up at admissions desk to register. Free with museum admission.

Friday, April 22: Then and Now:Visit the Drum Point Lighthouse and compare the past to the present in a matching game. Sign up at the admissions desk for special tours at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Saturday, April 23: Fossil Egg Hunt: Back by popular demand! Discover hidden fossil eggs throughout the museum for children age 3-8, divided into two age groups at 10:30 a.m. Please bring your own basket for collecting eggs and participants may keep the fossils! Free with museum admission.

Monday, April 25: Colonial Life in Maryland: Learn what life was like for the colonists in Maryland. Explore the importance of tobacco and learn some games colonial children played. Fifteen minute programs at the top of every hour from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Thursday, April 28 - Little Minnows: Animal Babies: What's My Name? Program for children age 3 - 5 years old from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Animal babies are cute, but did you know they don't have the same name as the adult? Learn all the baby names, play a matching game, and visit the baby animals in the museum. Fee is $4 for members and $5 for nonmembers. Space is limited. Pre-registration suggested. Call 410-326-2042 ext. 41.

Baltimore Rowing Regatta on Local Notice To Mariners

     Baltimore, MD -- Mariners are advised that the annual “Baltimore Invitational Regatta” is scheduld to occur in the Patapsco River-Middle Branch on Saturday, April 9, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The rowing competition will have approximately 100 participants operating on a 1,500 meter rowing course that starts at the western end of the Middle Branch boat basin, then proceeds easterly under the Hanover Street (SR-2) Bridge, and finishes 400 meters east of the bridge.
     Participants will be accompanied and supported by motorized safety launches. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at 410- 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil.
     Chart 12281.
     Click here for the complete Local Notice to Mariners.

Commercial Marine Expo Coming to Norfolk June 22-23

     Norfolk, VA -- Mariners can plan now to attend the 2011 Commercial Marine Expo, the only in-water, business-to-business trade show for the working waterfront in North America. In just two days, you can see, compare and purchase the latest equipment and gear that working mariners need. Expert advice will be available on the technical challenges mariners face every day at sea. The event will feature informative seminars, active demonstrations, the CME/Military Sealift Command Job Fair, and the Mid-Atlantic Watermen's Congress.
      You can catch up with colleagues from up and down the Atlantic seaboard in one location, at the Half Moone Cruise Ship Terminal. Registration is now free and available at http://www.comarexpo.com./
     CME 2011 is designed for owners and operators of coastal tugs, offshore tugs, work boats, offshore wind support vessels, towboats, charter boats, fishing vessels, ferry boats, police, fire and public safety boats, military, homeland security boats, freight and cargo vessels, harbormasters, marine surveyors and many others who work on the water.
     For more information about Commercial Marine Expo, visit http://www.comarexpo.com/ or call 207-799-1356.

Maryland DNR Announces 2011 Summer Flounder Regulations

     Annapolis, MD -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service has announced the 2011 recreational summer flounder regulations to include a three-fish creel limit, an 18-inch minimum size limit (an inch shorter than last year) and a season to run April 16 through November 30.
     “Due to continued increases in the coastwide summer flounder stock and Maryland’s success in staying at or below the fishing target in 2010, summer flounder anglers will enjoy increased access to summer flounder in 2011,” said DNR Fisheries Director Tom O’Connell. “Our choice of regulation is a direct result of our biologists working together with our anglers to enact regulations that work toward the coastwide rebuilding schedule, while providing quality fishing opportunities to our fishermen.”
     A public notice announcing the 2011 regulations was published on March 26. DNR would also like to remind fishermen that the size limit also applies to summer flounder caught by commercial hook and line and is effective April 16.
     DNR is encouraging anglers to participate in the fisheries management process by joining the volunteer angler survey. Anglers who join the survey will become eligible to win a rod and reel combo donated by All Tackle.com, a fishing tackle retailer with superstores in Annapolis, Ocean City and online. Go to http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/index.asp to participate.
     In addition, any angler who catches a flounder measuring 24 inches or longer and registers it as a citation award eligible fish will receive free admission to the grand finale of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge during the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park on September 10. Simply bring your eligible fish to an authorized citation award center (certain tackle shops and charter boats) to receive your entry ticket and invitation for you and your family to the event. For details, go to http://dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/challenge/index.asp

Annaplois Man Lone American Sailor in the Barcelona World Race

Students videoconferencing  with Ryan Breymaier (Annapolis, Md.) while he is at sea. Photo courtesy of Awty International School.

     Barcelona, Spain -- Down the hall, in Room 310, the ninth-grade students taking Mr. Jurcic’s Computer Science course have been introduced to a new subject for exploration; open ocean sailing. Their classroom is in the Awty International School in Houston, Texas; their textbook is Ryan Breymaier (Annapolis, Md.), the lone American sailor in the Barcelona World Race.
     Breymaier, who is circumnavigating the globe for the first time, is currently on day 91 of the 25,000 nautical mile (46,300 km) journey, which includes 2,000 hours of non-stop competition across three vast oceans, two hemispheres, and around three famous Capes. Breymaier, with German co-skipper Boris Herrmann, is fighting his way back up to fourth place aboard Team Neutrogena as they race through the Atlantic Ocean to the finish in Barcelona, Spain.
     Awty School is the second largest international school in the United States, representing students from more than 50 countries. As a world-class international school, Awty aims to educate its students for success in global pursuits. This ninth-grade class has been following the race and communicating over email with Breymaier for the past two months. Just recently they engaged in a videoconference with him while he was at sea.
     “Other projects in class are mainly academic and about historical events,” said ninth-grader Milagro Rivera. “This was more current information, which was interesting and we could relate to it. Other kids at school think it’s pretty cool.”
     Most of the students studying Breymaier have never stepped foot on a boat before and find his story to be fascinating, not only because he is sailing around the world for the first time, but also because he didn’t start sailing until the age of 18, when he traded in his lacrosse stick at St. Mary’s College in Maryland for a dry suit and booties.
     “The first time I went sailing I was hooked and I have eaten, breathed, dreamed about and talked sailing ever since,” said Breymaier. “I think I was just lucky enough to find my ‘thing’ even if it was pretty late in life compared to lots of other professional sailors.”
     Teacher Marijan Jurcic found Breymaier’s story to be the perfect vehicle for getting students excited about global affairs. “The uniqueness of this project is how it makes the world seem so much smaller than it really is,” said Jurcic. “I’m amazed at how today’s technology enabled a group of ninth-grade students in a small classroom in Houston to communicate with this skipper on a small boat in the middle of an ocean on the other side of the world.”
     The students will continue following the Barcelona World Race until Breymaier crosses the finish line, which is expected on the tenth of April.
     “The main reason I am involved in the media aspect of the race I am doing now is to inspire people to try sailing,” said Breymaier. “I would like some young people to see what I am doing, put down the mouse, turn off the computer games and go give sailing a try.”

To View Breymaier’s life onboard
http://www.youtube.com/user/mediapronewport

How to Follow Team Neutrogena in the Barcelona World Race
http://www.barcelonaworldrace.org/en/

Hunt Yachts Expands with Chesapeake Office

From left, Peter VanLancker, Bob Price and Todd Taylor stand in front of Hunt Yachts' new Chesapeake office.

     Portsmouth, Rhode Island -- Hunt Yachts has announced the opening of a sales office in Annapolis, Maryland. Located across Severn Creek from the Annapolis Yacht Club, Hunt Yachts Chesapeake will support the burgeoning number of Hunt Yacht owners in this region and serve the market’s growing interest in this iconic brand, renowned for its deep-V powerboats and motoryachts.
     Heading the new Annapolis office are Todd Taylor, one the region’s most experienced yacht brokers and dealers who has been associated with Hunt since 2003, and Bob Price, a successful businessman and experienced Hunt owner. Taylor brings nearly 20 years’ experience in yacht sales and brokerage including responsibility for many of Hunt Yachts’ sales in the Mid-Atlantic states. He is a long-standing member of the Yacht Brokerage Association of America (YBAA) and has served two terms on their Board of Directors.
     Todd was among the first yacht brokers to earn that organization’s "Certified Yacht Broker" designation. Todd has been around boats his entire life, had enough sea time to earn his first USCG Masters License at age 18, and held a 100-ton Masters License for many years while working as a professional captain and crew.
     "From the first time I handled a Hunt-designed boat, I’ve appreciated the design elements and unmatched sea-handling capability of Hunt Yachts," Todd added. "That’s what brought me to Hunt and what I enjoy demonstrating to customers. I also appreciate working with a company whose attitude toward excellence covers not just design but construction and standing behind what they build."
     Price, an experienced Hunt owner, is a practicing attorney and lifelong resident of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Bob has been an informal member of the Hunt team on the boatshow circuit for the past several years. After years of sailing and racing one-designs, he moved to power but remains active in the sailing community: he is past Commodore of both Tred Avon and Corsica River Yacht Clubs as well as Rear Commodore of Cruising Club of America, Chesapeake Station.
     Bob commented, "First as an admirer and then as a customer, I learned what a great boat Hunt Yachts can build and what a pleasure it is to work with them. This new ‘position’ gives me the opportunity to spread that word and to be a link between Hunt customers and the design and production teams."
     Peter Van Lancker, President of Hunt Yachts, said, "Although we’ve been transitioning to a agent network with recent appointments in several key markets, we felt that a company-direct communication was more appropriate in The Chesapeake. Our many owners here have always had a personal relationship with us at the factory and we chose not to disrupt that 'family' feeling. I am especially pleased to bring Todd into our company and to have Bob Price on our team. Todd needs no introduction among Hunt owners up and down The Bay. And Bob has become a close personal friend as we worked together on building his boat. Both thoroughly understand what Hunt is all about."
     Hunt Yachts Chesapeake is located at 222 Severn Avenue (next to the Charthouse Restaurant) and can be reached at 443-949-8540.
     Hunt Yachts offers models from 25 to 68 feet, in Surfhunter, Harrier, Coupe, Inflatable and Express Cruiser lines, all from designs by C. Raymond Hunt Associates. Hunt Design is acknowledged as the innovator of the deep-V hull form, and their work includes custom motoryachts, patrol vessels, military craft as well as production powerboats and motoryachts under other brands. Hunt Yachts are built in Portsmouth, Rhode Island as well as in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
     For additional information, go online to www.huntyachts.com where details, specifications, photos and videos of their yachts can be accessed.

Spring Open House Scheduled at North East River Yacht Club

     North East, MD -- North East River Yacht Club is hosting an Open House on Sunday, April 17 from
2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Open House will feature facility tours and the opportunity to learn more about the
many amenities, activities and benefits that NERYC has to offer potential new members and guests.
     The Club’s Dockmaster will also be available to present any remaining slip accommodations for the 2011 boating season. Parents and children age 7 to 18 can also preview NERYC’s popular Summertime
“Learn to Sail” program which is open to everyone, and see the club’s fleet of training boats and
boathouse. The program offers instruction at all levels -- beginners, intermediate, and advanced racing.
    NERYC’s restaurant staff will be serving complimentary menu samplers during the Open House, and be available to discuss its capabilities for events such as business meetings, parties and weddings.
The restaurant and bar will open to serve members and visitors for its regular dinner service beginning
at 4:00 p.m.
     Founded in 1930, North East River Yacht Club offers an exceptional setting for recreational boating on the Upper Chesapeake Bay. With a magnificent waterfront property, well maintained clubhouse, restaurant and bar, and a modern marina with floating docks, members and guests enjoy an extensive calendar of events and programs year-round.
     The club is conveniently located to Northern Maryland and Delaware, Southern New Jersey, and Southeast Pennsylvania, and within easy access of I-95.