Centennial ScoutFleet Boat Parade Saturday at Baltimore's Inner Harbor

     Baltimore, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the “Centennial ScoutFleet 2012 at Baltimore” boat parade is scheduled to occur in Baltimore Harbor on Saturday, July 21, 2012. The event consists of 20 Sea Scout vessels operating on a parade route located between the Inner Harbor and the Fort McHenry Angle in Baltimore, Maryland from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The official patrol vessel can be contacted via marine band radio VHF-FM 16. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at telephone (410) 576-2674 or e-mail Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12281.

Sound Level Check Available at Rogues Harbor July 28

     Annapolis, Md. -- Maryland Natural Resources Police will be conducting courtesy sound level testing on July 28 from 10 am-3 pm at the Elk Neck State Park Rogues Harbor boat launch.
    The results of the courtesy sound level check are not official and will not be held against boaters. The purpose of the check is to educate boaters on sound level requirements and provide an unofficial idea of a vessel's decibel level.

Rock Hall Channel Dredging is Complete

     Rock Hall, Md. -- The entrance to Rock Hall Harbor is now straighter and deeper allowing boaters easier and safer access to the area's many restaurants, marinas and marine related services.

     “The measures taken will certainly provide for safe passage in and out of our harbor, as navigating the entrance was becoming very treacherous at times,” said Rock Hall Mayor Bob Willis. “Our local economy will see a gain from this action and during these uncertain economic times, it surely is needed.”

     The Kent County Department of Public Works contracted with Dissen & Juhn Corporation based in Stevensville, Maryland, for the dredging. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services provided technical assistance and funding. Approximately 6,400-cubic yards of silt and clay was removed from the entrance of Rock Hall Harbor and transported in watertight trucks to an existing dredge material placement site approximately seven miles from the town. The project, completed June 5, took a little over a month.

     The channel is now a minimum of seven feet deep at low tide and has been realigned to follow a straight, Coast Guard-marked channel. It is expected that the new, straight alignment will better flush the harbor, slowing the deposit of silt and allowing the channel to stay navigable for a longer period of time. The channel was previously angled to the west, causing sand to frequently fill the channel from the northwest side.

     “Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland General Assembly strongly support waterway improvement projects like this one, that benefit the local community, help to create jobs and improve the quality of life for our citizens,” said Lisa Gutierrez, acting director of DNR Boating Services.

     Project funding was provided through a State Waterway Improvement Fund grant of $230,663. Revenue for the fund comes from the one time, five-percent excise tax, paid when a boat is purchased and titled in Maryland. The State Waterway Improvement Program has funded more than 4,500 grant projects valued in excess of $300 million in the development of over 300 public boating access sites statewide.

Fireworks on the Miles River this Saturday near St. Michaels Harbor

     St. Michaels, Md. -- Mariners are advised that a short-duration, aerial fireworks display is scheduled to occur on the Miles River on Saturday, June 9, at approximately 9:45 p.m. Mariners are urged to transit the area with caution and to keep a sharp lookout for other watercraft in the area.
     Absent specific guidance, mariners should remain 100 yards from the fireworks discharge platform located in the vicinity of St. Michaels Harbor Entrance Light 2 (LLNR 26185), in approximate position latitude 38° 47’ 31” N, longitude 076° 13’ 05” W (Datum NAD 1983).
     For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Waterways Management Division at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil.  Chart 12270.

Rock Hall Triathlon Scheduled for June 2 and 3

     Rock Hall, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the swim portion of the “Rock Hall Triathlon” is scheduled to occur in Rock Hall Harbor on June 2 and June 3 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. both days. Approximately 400 swimmers will compete counter-clockwise on marked courses, along a 1500-meter course on Saturday and a 750-meter course on Sunday, at Rock Hall Landing Marina (Dock A) near Waterman’s Crab House.
     Bright yellow triangular buoys will mark course turns and orange buoys will mark course legs. Swimmers will be supported by sponsor-provided kayaks and lifeguard surfboards. Official patrol personnel on scene can
be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16. 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.