Saturday, October 8, 2011

Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race Oct. 13-14

     Baltimore, Md. -- Mariners are advised that “The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race” is scheduled to occur on the Chesapeake Bay during October 13-14. The race consists of up to 40 participating sailing vessels (from 30 to 150 feet in length) departing from Fells Point in Baltimore, on Thursday, October 13, at 8:30 a.m., then proceeding to the race start.
     The start, located outside the federal navigation channel just south of the William. P. Lane Jr. Memorial Bridges (Bay Bridge) near Annapolis, is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. A spectator fleet is expected at the start of the race. Safety patrol vessels on scene during the start segment of the race can be contacted on marine radio channel 16 VHF-FM, if necessary.
     The finish is located near Old Point Comfort, Hampton, Va., and afterwards, participants will proceed to docking in Portsmouth, Va. Interested mariners may contact the "Schooner Race Committee" on marine radio channel 16 or 13 VHF-FM. For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or mailto:orRonald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12270.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

'Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race' Parade of Sail Oct. 12 in Baltimore

     Baltimore, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the annual “The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race Parade of Sail” is scheduled to occur in Baltimore Harbor on October 12. Participating vessels will gather off Fells Point starting at 3:30 p.m. Approximately 40 sailing vessels (22 to 160 feet in length) will start from Fells Point in Baltimore at 5 p.m., operate on a counter-clockwise route that will proceed to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and finish at Fells Point at 6 p.m. Interested mariners may contact the event sponsor on marine band radio channel 16 or 13 VHF-FM, if necessary. 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 12281.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fishery Management Council Begins Charting Course for the Future

     Dover, Del. -- The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has launched an initiative to develop a vision and strategic plan for the region's managed fisheries.
      MAFMC still faces long-term challenges, such as maintaining productive ecosystems and addressing the needs of communities that rely on ocean resources.
     "This is a pivotal moment in the management of our region's fisheries. We have spent most of the past 35 years successfully rebuilding fish stocks in the Mid-Atlantic, and now that these stocks are rebuilt we need to work closely with our constituents to develop a cohesive vision for the future. This will enable us to identify successful outcomes for our fisheries and the fishing communities that depend on their continued resilience and productivity," said Council Chairman Rick Robins.
     The council says its first and most important step toward developing the vision and long term strategic plan is seeking the public's input. A survey has been posted to the council's website (http://www.mafmc.org/vision/) for the public to begin providing their thoughts, ideas, and comments on fisheries management policies and processes. The survey, which includes opportunities to provide detailed input on each fish species managed by the council, will be available until January 31, 2012.
     In addition to the survey, over the next several months council staff will be visiting coastal communities to hear from constituents and those most affected by the council’s decisions. A list of these locations and events will be posted and frequently updated on the council's website.
     "This is a completely stakeholder-driven initiative and our number one priority is to hear from our constituents. They will determine how the vision and strategic plan are developed. Their input will have a real impact on how our fisheries are managed in the future," added Council Executive Director Dr. Christopher M. Moore.
     For more information and/or to get involved visit http://www.mafmc.org/vision/ or contact Mary Clark at mclark@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5261.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Victims of Plane Crash Near Smith Island Identified

     Rhodes Point, Md. -- US Coast Guard, Maryland Natural Resources Police, and Virginia Marine Police have located and recovered the body of a female believed to be the victim of the small plane crash Sunday in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay off Smith Island.
     The recovered body has not been positively identified, but is tentatively believed to be Mary L. Lagerquist, 78, of Sequim, Washington. She was deceased when her body was located at about 9:00 a.m. today in the water off the southern point of Smith Island.
     The male victim is identified as Lanson, C. Ross, III, 48, of the 400-block of Broad Creek Drive, Ft. Washington, MD. Ross, the pilot of the plane and son of the female victim, was treated and released overnight at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.
     Ross told State Police investigators overnight that he was piloting his single-engine aircraft when it lost power and he crashed into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay while attempting to reach Smith Island. He said both he and his mother were able to exit the plane after it crashed and before it sank. He was attempting to swim to Smith Island with his mother when he said she passed away. Ross said he continued swimming and was able to reach Smith Island about 8:00 p.m. Sunday.
     At about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 4, from Salisbury, was dispatched for an aerial search of the Chesapeake Bay off Somerset County. Officials at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station called the State Police Aviation Command dispatch center and said they had been talking with a pilot who reported trouble with his aircraft and said he was trying to make it to Smith Island. His small plane had disappeared from radar about three miles off the southwest side of Smith Island, according to Pax River officials.
     The US Coast Guard joined the State Police search by dispatching an aircraft and vessel into the area. Officers from the Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to assist in the search with two of their boats. A second Maryland State Police helicopter, Trooper 7 from St. Mary’s County, also joined in the search.
     The preliminary State Police investigation indicates Ross flew his mother in his two-seater plane from Hyde Field in Clinton, Md., to Tangier Island. After visiting the island, they were beginning their trip back to Hyde Field when the pilot began experiencing problems with the plane. He radioed the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and informed them he would try to reach Smith Island. He told State Police he was forced to land the plane in the water and that it sank rapidly.
     Ross said his mother was injured in the crash, but after exiting the aircraft she was swimming with him as he attempted to help her swim in the direction of Smith Island. Ross said after about a mile of swimming in rough water with waves three to five feet high, his mother passed away. Ross continued on and was able to reach the island.
     State Police have notified officials with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. Those agencies will be responsible for investigating the cause of the crash. The plane has not been located or recovered at this time.

Monday, October 3, 2011

United States Sailboat Show Starts Thursday

     Annapolis, Md. -- Now in its 42nd year, the United States Sailboat Show, October 6 - 10, attracts more than 50,000 boating enthusiasts from around the world to the waterfront of historic Annapolis, Maryland. The Sailboat Show is followed by the United States Powerboat Show, October 13-16.
This year's sailboat show features:
Daily Seminars by Cruising World and Chesapeake Bay Magazines
Take the Wheel Interactive Workshops including Boat Demos
Smaller Boats From One Designs & Trailerables To Sailing Dinghies & Inflatables
Sailing Equipment, Rigging & Accessories
Maintenance Products & Services
Cruising & Vacation Charter Information
Hottest Domestic & International Racing and Cruising Boats
One of the Largest Collections of Multihull Sailboats on the Planet
Grand Prize Drawing - One week charter in the British Virgin Islands provided by Sunsail with airfare sponsored by BVI Tourism Board

Saturday parking schedule:
Be advised that due to a Navy home football game alternative parking will be provided on Riva Road. Follow the signs to locations on Riva Road. Bus transportation will be provided on this day and each day of the shows. (GPS navigation – begin search at 2700 Riva Road)
     Find complete boat show information at http://www.usboat.com.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Coast Guard, Local Authorities Search for One Near Tangier Island

     Baltimore, Md. -- The Coast Guard and local authorities are searching for one person after an emergency broadcast was sent from the plane they were aboard eight miles off the coast of Tangier Island Sunday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore received a call at 3:30 p.m. from an air traffic controller at Naval Air Station Patuxent River reporting a single-engine aircraft was declaring an emergency and losing power. The pilot stated he didn't think he would be able to make it to Tangier Island Airport.
     One person was reported to have made it ashore alive, and the other is still missing.
     A 25-foot Response Boat - Small crew from Coast Guard Station Crisfield, Md., a 41-foot Utility Boat crew from Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes, Md., an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Albacore, homeported in Virginia Beach, Va., a Maryland State Police helicopter crew and a Maryland Natural Resource Police boatcrew are searching.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, America's Tall Ship Visiting Baltimore

     Baltimore, Md. -- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, “America’s Tall Ship,” is scheduled to visit Baltimore Inner Harbor’s west wall this weekend, marking the conclusion of the Fall Training Cruise.
     During the training cruise, 63 officer candidates and 22 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps officers-in-training aboard the Eagle trained in five functional areas of shipboard life: deck, operations, engineering, damage control and support.
     The Eagle will be open for free public tours on the following dates and times: Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
     At 295 feet in length, the Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the stars and stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service.
     Constructed in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and originally commissioned as the Horst Wessel by the German Navy, the Eagle was taken by the United States as a war reparation following World War II.
     With more than 23,500 square feet of sail and six miles of rigging, the Eagle has served as a floating classroom to future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering an at-sea leadership and professional development experience.
     A permanent crew of six officers and 50 enlisted personnel maintain the ship and guide the trainees through an underway and in-port training schedule, dedicated to learning the skills of navigation, damage control, watchstanding, engineering and deck seamanship.