Eastport Yacht Club Regattas Scheduled for the mid-Bay

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the Eastport Yacht Club’s Regattas are scheduled to occur in the middle Chesapeake Bay, between Hackett Point and Thomas Point and in the Severn River, with seven individual sail racing events scheduled on the following dates in 2012: August 25, September 24, October 1, November 24.
     The Eastport Yacht Club’s Race Committee can be contacted on marine band radio, at (410) 263-0415 or race.committee@eastportyc.org. 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.

Governor's Cup Yacht Race Scheduled for August 3-4

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the “Governor’s Cup Yacht Race” is scheduled to occur during August 3-4, 2012, with up to 150 participating sailboats (24 to 75 ft in length) competing on two courses planned for the annual overnight sail race. The 70-mile distance race on the Chesapeake Bay will start near the mouth of the Severn River at Annapolis, Maryland between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, and finish in the St. Mary’s River at St. Mary’s City, Maryland by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

     A 47-mile distance race on the Potomac River will start near Dahlgren, Virginia at 6 p.m. on Friday and also finish in the St. Mary’s River at St. Mary’s City, Maryland by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

     Additional information can be obtained from the Sailing Association on the St. Mary's College of Maryland website at www.smcm.edu/govcup.

     For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts 12280, 12285.

Screwpile Lighthouse Challenge Sailing Race Runs July 15-17

     Solomons, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the Southern Maryland Sailing Association (SMSA) will sponsor its annual “Screwpile Lighthouse Challenge” sailing races on the Chesapeake Bay, from Sunday, July 15, 2012 through Tuesday, July 17, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
     Approximately 150 participating sailboats will race in three fleets, each operating within a separate, designated course area, located at the mouth of the Patuxent River near Cedar Point, Drum Point and Little Cove Point, Maryland.
     Interested mariners may contact the SMSA’s Chief Race Officer aboard the 53-foot Hatteras “MAVOURNEEN” on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 or at telephone (301) 481-8665. 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.

Fishing Bay Yacht Club Leukemia Cup Race July 7-8

     Deltaville, Va. -- Mariners are advised that the Fishing Bay Yacht Club's Leukemia Cup Sailboat Regatta will occur in the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Piankatank River. The event will take place from July 7 through July 8 beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m.

     Mariners are requested to use caution and bare steerage when transiting the area.

Great Chesapeake Bay Swim on Sunday

     Stevensville, Md. -- The annual Great Chesapeake Bay Swim races will occur on Sunday, June 10. The 1-mile swim (off Kent Island) will start at 10 a.m. and finish at 11:30 a.m. The 4.4-mile swim (across the Chesapeake Bay) will start at 11 a.m. and finish at 3:15 p.m. 

     During these events, as described in Title 33 CFR Sec. 100.501, special local regulations establish a regulated area on all waters of the Chesapeake Bay, between and adjacent to the spans of the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge shore to shore 500 yards north of the north span of the bridge from the western shore at latitude 39°00'36" N, longitude 076°23'53" W and the eastern shore at latitude 38°59'14" N, longitude 076°20'00" W, and 500 yards south of the south span of the bridge from the western shore at latitude 39°00'16" N, longitude 076°24'30" W and the eastern shore at latitude 38°58'39" N, longitude 076°20'10" W. The regulated area will be enforced from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 10.

     Except for persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, and event sponsor-designated participants and official patrol vessels, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore can be contacted at telephone number (410) 576-2525 or 2693. Official patrol vessels enforcing this area can be contacted on marine radio VHF-FM channel 16.

     The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area, and upon being hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, the operator of a vessel shall immediately comply with the instructions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both. 

     Vessel operators may contact the Patrol Commander to request permission to pass through the regulated area. If permission is granted, vessels must pass directly through the regulated area at safe speed and without loitering. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the area by Federal, State, and local agencies. 

      For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts 12263, 12270.

Tea Party Returns to Chestertown This Weekend, May 25-27

     Chestertown, Md. -- “To the River!”

     The rallying cry of the Sons of Liberty of yore rings out again as once again the gem of the Eastern Shore opens its doors and welcomes celebrants to its annual Tea Party Festival. In an era that has seen so many radical ‘tea party’ political movements, the historic pageant in the tiny hamlet stands apart as a genuine slice of Americana, whose only aspiration is to remind its community of its storied past and celebrate being good neighbors.

     In response to British Parliament’s closing of the port of Boston, the citizens of Chestertown, met in May of 1774 and set forth “Resolves” forbidding importing, selling, or consuming tea, according to local legend, residents then gathered at the town center, marched down High Street to the brigantine Geddes, and tossed her cargo of tea overboard. The Saturday reenactment of that patriotic act is the centerpiece of the celebration. Beginning in 1975 and continuing each Memorial Day Weekend since, the festival has blossomed from a small local event to a major regional draw.

     A parade down main street, a classic distance run for early risers, an amazingly creative raft race, live demonstrations of colonial life, a dramatic historic reenactment, vendors of colonial craftsmanship and local musicians and food galore are all among the reasons that crowds are regularly estimated between 5,000 – 7,000 people attending the three day event.

     Now in its 37th continuous year, recent additions include the return of Revolutionary Theatre at the Garfield Center for the Arts, featuring local playwrights, Tia Glomb and Keith Thompson. In addition to the Vineyard Village on Saturday that was such a huge success last year, this year’s Sunday Wine Tasting event will add a special section of Craft Beers for those that enjoy hops as much as wine. Cow Plop Bingo makes its second appearance at the festival after last year’s fund raiser of for the KC Community Marching Band was so enthusiastically received.

     Also returning on Friday night, following the ever popular Cocktail Party at Wilmer Park, the Chester River Chorale will present and evening of patriotic songs at the Garfield Center. KCHS PTSA takes over the Toss the Tory contest and will raise funds for student scholarships by casting a local celebrity into the Chester on Sunday afternoon. These events, as well as stalwart favorites like Public Sails on the Sultana, the 20th Annual Great Raft Race and Classic Distance Run make the Tea Party Festival and event that all can find something fun to do.

     All festival events take place along the Chester River and in the historic district of 18th-century Chestertown. There is no admission charge to the festival, but certain events do require paid tickets. For more information please refer to our website at www.chestertownteaparty.org or call us at 215-431-6671.

Kinetic Sculpture Race This Weekend in Baltimore

     Baltimore, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the annual “American Visionary Art Museum Kinetic Sculpture Race” is scheduled to occur in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A water entry and exit is scheduled at the Boston Street Public Boat Ramp, in Northwest Harbor, from 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants will be accompanied and supported by kayaks and a motorized safety launch. 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.
     Kinetic Sculptures are amphibious, human powered works of art custom built for the race. Each May, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) hosts the East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race Championship on the shore of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in central Maryland. The eight-hour race covers 15 miles—mostly on pavement, but also including a trip into the Chesapeake Bay and through mud and sand.
     Kinetic Sculpture Racing traces its roots to Ferndale, California in 1969 when artist Hobart Brown upgraded his son’s tricycle into a 5-wheeled pentacycle that was part of a race down Main Street. (Hobart did not win.) Over the decades since, the California race evolved into a 3-day all-terrain Kinetic Grand Championship including treacherous sand dunes, water crossings, and elaborate sculptures and costumes. You can learn more on Wikipedia.
     For more about the Baltimore race, visit http://www.kineticbaltimore.com.

Coast Guard Announced Proposed Rule for Chesapeake Bay Workboat Race

     Poquoson, Va. -- The Coast Guard proposes to establish a special local regulation during the Chesapeake Bay Workboat Race, a series of boat races to be held on the waters of Back River, Poquoson, Virginia on June 24. This event will consist of approximately 75 powerboats conducting high-speed competitive races on the waters of the Back River. This regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Back River, Messick Point, Poquoson, Virginia during the event.

     Find our more about the proposed rule here.