Wednesday, February 25, 2015

CCA MD to host blue catfish tournament

As a brighter spotlight is being shined on the dangers of invasive blue catfish, the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland’s (CCA MD) Central Region Chapter has scheduled a tournament and day of information to create greater awareness of the harm this species can do to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The event will be Saturday, March 21, at Smallwood Park in Marbury, MD. Festivities will run from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tourney is set for 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a party and information sharing following from 1-3 p.m. In addition to CCA MD, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Potomac Riverkeeper are co-sponsoring the day.

“The exploding population of blue catfish in the Chesapeake watershed has begun to upset the imbalance of the ecosystem, and the blue cats rapidly expanding numbers show no signs of slowing down,” said Rick Elyar, Central Region Chapter president. “Although trophy sized blue catfish are a valued recreational fishery, they’re now negatively affecting commercially and recreationally important bay species that migrate through on spawning runs or use the watershed areas to release eggs each spring.  All of this is creating an overall imbalance of our Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.”

The tournament will include three categories— shore, boat and youth fishing— with single person kayaks qualifying for the shore division. Maryland, Virginia or District of Columbia tidal Potomac waters are open for tourney fishing.

Anglers must pre-register at http://www.ccamd.org/?ai1ec_event=central-chapter-blue-cat-tournament&instance_id=2356 where they can find complete rules.

Starting at 1 p.m. there will be presentations by NOAA and DNR along with music and a blue catfish taco buffet, prepared by Baltimore's Alewife Restaurant head Chef Chad Wells.

 The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is one of 17 state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association, which has 100,000 members nationally. CCA MD is an organization of recreational anglers fighting for Maryland’s marine resources and believing the sustainability of the resource must be the priority in any fishery management decision.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Maryland Rally for Clean Water

Maryland Rally for Clean WaterRegister Now

Welcome to the "Don't Backtrack on the Bay!" Rally for Clean Water!
We're excited to see you on Lawyer's Mall in Annapolis on February 24. Please register to let us know you're coming!
We will be at Lawyer's Mall with t-shirts, a photo booth, snacks, and poster-making supplies starting at 11:30 a.m.
Please arrive no later than 11:45 a.m. to get a t-shirt, take a photo in our photo booth, and make a poster. A brief program featuring Maryland legislative leaders for clean water will start at 12 noon.
Some helpful tips for a fun rally:
  • Dress for success! Wear lots of blue, and arrive early to get a t-shirt. Also, dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Bring a homemade sign that reflects why you care about clean water, or arrive early to make one at the rally
  • Bring a photo ID so that you can deliver a message to your legislator or attend a hearing later that day. You will need it to get through security in the legislative office buildings to deliver messages to your senator or delegate.
What else is happening that day? At 1:00 pm, a hearing will be held in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on legislation introduced by Senator Paul Pinsky to reduce pollution from agricultural sources. If you are interested in seeing the Maryland General Assembly at work and showing your support for clean water, consider attending the hearing.
Parking and public transportation: Locations for public parking around the State House can be found on this map. You can also park at the Navy Stadium outside of downtown for $5 and take the Navy Blue or State shuttle to the State House for $2. The shuttle runs on a 20-minute interval, so be sure to allow enough time for travel. Further information is available here. Annapolis runs a free Circulator Trolleybetween select downtown locations on a 20-minute interval as well.
If you are coming to the rally from the Eastern Shore, we are arranging bus transportation for those interested. Please register as soon as possible if you would like a ride to the rally.
Eastern Shore bus itinerary:
10:15 a.m.Depart Easton Walmart
8155 Elliott Road
Easton, MD 21601
10:45 a.m.Pickup additional passengers at
Nike Factory Store
441 Outlet Center Drive
Queenstown, MD 21658
10:55 a.m.Depart Nike Factory Store
11:30 a.m.Drop off passengers at Lawyer's Mall, State House, Annapolis, Maryland
2:00 p.m.Pick up passengers at Lawyer's Mall, State House, Annapolis, Maryland
2:30 p.m.Drop off passengers at
Nike Factory Store
441 Outlet Center Drive
Queenstown, MD 21658
3:15 p.m.Drop off remaining passengers at
Easton Walmart
8155 Elliott Road
Easton, MD 21601

Friday, February 20, 2015

Jordan to speak about computerized jet propulsion


ARLINGTON, Va. -- Jeff Jordan of IntelliJet Marine will present a paper on propulsion and computer simulation for sustainable high speed boats and ships at the American Society of Naval Engineers’ ASNE Day 2015 on March 5 in Arlington, Virginia.
By incorporating similar technology that has vastly improved modern aircraft and cars, marine jet craft can optimize fuel efficiency at low and mid-range speeds without sacrificing high-speed capability.
IntelliJet now has working relationships with a motor supplier and a recreational boat builder and is looking for strategic, manufacturing and financial partners for military, commercial, unmanned watercraft and high speed boats.
Find out more at www.power.iiJet.com.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

5th Annual Marine and Maritime Career Fair

ANNAPOLIS — The 5th Annual Marine & Maritime Career Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, from noon to 3 p.m. at Annapolis High School.
The career fair is open to students from grades 6-12 from Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay region.
A registration link is available at eycfoundation.org.
Exhibitors and sponsors are welcome. Marine trades opportunities exist in electronics, carpentry, plumbing, engines, marina management, rigging, sailmaking, publications, boating equipment and supplies and more.
For more information, contact Pam Ray or Marty Lostrom at 2015careerfair@gmail.com or call 888-383-8777.

Friday, March 14, 2014

2014 Annapolis Yacht Club Races Scheduled

Mariners are advised that the 2014 Annapolis Yacht Club Regattas (17 sail racing events) are scheduled to occur on the Chesapeake Bay and/or Severn River, most held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the following dates during 2014:
April 26 (Spring One Design) and April 26-27 (AYC Overnight);
May 2-4 (NOOD Regatta), May 16-18 (J/22 North Americans) and May 17-18 (Lippincott Regatta);
June 7-8 (CRAB Cup in Annapolis Harbor), June 14-15 (Annual Regatta);
July 2 (Junior Annual Regatta) and July 26 (Summer OD Regatta);
August 30-31 (Labor Day Regatta);
October 4 (Fall Series 1), October 11-12 (Fall Series 2), October 18-19 (Fall Series 3) and October 25-26 (Fall Etchells-Stars and Halloween Howl);
November 1-2 (J/105 Ches Bay Champs) and November 15-16 (I 420 Atlantic Coast).
Most races will occur near the mouth of the Severn River and the adjacent Chesapeake Bay, south of the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial (Chesapeake Bay) Bridges and north of Curtis Point, Maryland.
For additional information, interested persons may link to individual events by contacting the AYC Regatta Manager at website www.race.annapolisyc.org or telephone number (410) 263-9147. Chart: 12270.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Fireworks Schedule Around the Bay

Mariners are advised that, as described in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 100.506, the following safety zones are established for fireworks displays planned during the 2013 Independence Day holiday period:
1. Anacostia River, Washington, DC, within a 200-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 38°52′16″ N,
077°00′13″ W, located approximately 500 yards southeast of the shoreline near Washington Nationals Ball Park. This safety
zone will be enforced on July 3, 2013, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (no rain date) for a fireworks display scheduled for
approximately 9:30 p.m. Chart 12289.

2. Baltimore Inner Harbor, Patapsco River, Maryland, within a 150-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 39°16′55″ N, 076°36′17″ W, at the entrance to Baltimore Inner Harbor, approximately 150 yards southwest of Pier 6, and
Northwest Harbor (Western Section), Patapsco River, Maryland, within a 250-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 39°16′37″ N, 076°35′54″ W, located near the western end of Northwest Harbor. These safety zones will be enforced on
July 4, 2013, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (with a rain date of July 5, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Chart 12281.

3. Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, within a 150-yard radius of the two fireworks barges in approximate position 38°41′36″ N, 076°31′30″ W and 38°41′28″ N, 076°31′29″ W, located north and south of the jetties at Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. This safety zone will be enforced on July 3, 2013, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (with a rain date of July 5, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled from 9:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Chart 12263.

4. Choptank River, Cambridge, Maryland, within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks launch site located at Great Marsh Point, Cambridge at 38°35′06″ N, 076°04′46″ W. This safety zone will be enforced on July 4, 2013 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (with a rain date of July 5, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9 p.m. Chart 12266.

5. Middle River, Baltimore County, Maryland, within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 39°17′45″ N, 076°23′49″ W, approximately 300 yards east of Rockaway Beach, near Turkey Point. This safety zone will be enforced on July 6, 2013, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (no rain date) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Chart 12278.

6. Northeast River North East, Maryland, within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 39°35'26'' N, 075°57'00'' W, located approximately 400 yards south of the North East Community Park. This safety zone will be enforced on July 3, 2013, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (no rain date) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Chart 12274.

7. Patuxent River, Solomons Island, Maryland, within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks barge in an area bound by the following points: 38°19′42″ N, 076°28′02″ W; thence to 38°19′26″ N, 076°28′18″ W; thence to 38°18′48″ N, 076°27′42″ W; thence to 38°19′06″ N 076°27′25″ W, thence to the point of origin, located near Solomons Island, MD. This safety zone will be enforced
on July 4, 2013, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (with a rain date of July 5, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9:15

8. p.m. Chart 12284.

9. Potomac River, Prince William County, Virginia, within a 200-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 38°34′08″ N, 077°15′34″ W, located near Cherry Hill, Virginia. This safety zone will be enforced on June 29, 2013, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (with a rain date of June 30, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Chart 12289.

10. Severn River and Spa Creek, within an area bounded by a line drawn from 38°58′39.6″ N, 076°28′49″ W, thence to 38°58′41″ N, 076°28′14″ W, thence to 38°59′01″ N, 076°28′37″ W, thence to 38°58′57″ N, 076°28′40″ W, located near the entrance to Spa Creek in Annapolis, Maryland. This safety zone will be enforced on July 4, 2013, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (with a rain date of July 5, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled from 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Charts 12282, 12283.

11. Tred Avon River, Oxford, Maryland, within a 150-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 38°41′24″ N, 076°10′37″ W, approximately 500 yards northwest of the waterfront at Oxford. This safety zone will be enforced on July 3, 2013from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (with a rain date of July 5, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Chart 12266.

12. Upper Potomac River, Alexandria Channel, within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 38°48′37″ N, 077°02′02″ W, located near the waterfront of Alexandria, Virginia. This safety zone will be enforced on July 13, 2013, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (with a rain date of July 14, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Chart 12289. Fireworks barges and launch sites on land will have signs labeled FIREWORKS--DANGER--STAY AWAY to provide on scene notice that the safety zone will be enforced. Vessels may not enter, remain in, or transit through the safety zone during the
enforcement period unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) or designated Coast Guard patrol personnel on scene. All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the COTP or the designated on-scene-patrol personnel, and upon being hailed by siren, radio, flashing light or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as
directed. Other Federal, State and local agencies may assist these personnel in the enforcement of the safety zone. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674, (410) 576-2693 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil.

13. Aquia Creek, Stafford, Virginia, mariners are urged to remain at least 200 yards from the fireworks discharge barge located in Aquia Harbour on July 4, 2013 (no rain date) for a display scheduled from 9:20 p.m. to 10 p.m. Chart 12288.

14. Chester River, Town of Chestertown, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 200 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore near the mouth of Radcliffe Creek on July 4, 2013 (no rain date) for a display scheduled from 9:20 p.m. to 10 p.m. Chart 12272.

15. Fairlee Creek, Great Oak Landing Marina, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 200 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore at Shell Point on July 6, 2013 (rain date of August 31, 2013) for a display scheduled at 9:25 p.m. Chart 12274.

16. Herring Bay, Herrington Harbour South Marina, Rose Haven, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on the south jetty on July 3, 2013 (rain date of July 4, 2013) for a display scheduled at 9:30 p.m. Chart 12266.

17. Miles River, St. Michaels, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least within a 200-yard radius of the fireworks discharge site located on a point of land at the mouth of Long Haul Creek on July 6, 2013 (rain date of July 7, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Chart 12263.
18. Nanticoke River, Nanticoke, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 70 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on the end of a pier at the Jay Pepper Campground on July 5, 2013 (rain date of July 6, 2013) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9 p.m. Chart 12261.

19. Patuxent River, Golden Beach/Patuxent Knolls Civic Association, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 200 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore near Long Point on June 29, 2013 (rain date of June 30, 2013) for a display scheduled at 9:30 p.m. Chart 12284.

20. Potomac River, Colonial Beach, Virginia, mariners are urged to remain at least 50 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on the shoreline near the entrance to Monroe Bay on June 29, 2013 (rain date of July 7, 2013) for a display scheduled
at approximately 9 p.m. Chart 12286.

21. Potomac River, Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located at the end of the Municipal Pier on July 4, 2013 (rain date of July 6, 2013) for a display scheduled at approximately 9 p.m. Chart 12286.

22. Rock Hall Harbor, Rock Hall, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore on July 3, 2013 (rain date of July 4, 2013) for a display scheduled at 9 p.m. Chart 12278.

23. Severn River, Sherwood Forest, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located at the end of the Sherwood Forest Club’s Main Pier on July 3, 2013 (rain date of July 6, 2013) for a display scheduled at 9 p.m. Chart 12282.

24. St. Mary’s River, St. Mary’s City, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located at the end of a dock at St. Mary’s College of Maryland on July 5 2013 (no rain date) for a display scheduled at 9 p.m. Chart 12233.

25. Susquehanna River, Havre de Grace, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 300 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore at Park Island on July 6, 2013 (no rain date) for a display scheduled at 9:30 p.m. Chart 12274

Mariners are urged to transit these areas with caution, to keep a sharp lookout for other watercraft in these areas, and are reminded to heed the directions of patrolling law enforcement and public safety officials. Absent specific guidance, mariners should remain 300 yards from any fireworks discharge site. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Waterways Management Division at telephone number (410) 576-2674, (410) 576-2693 or email
Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Safety-At-Sea Seminar on the Severn April 6

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the U.S. Naval Academy Sailing Squadron will sponsor its annual Safety-at-Sea Seminar in the Severn River adjacent to the U. S. Naval Academy, between the Naval Academy (SR-450) Bridge and Triton Light (LLN-19780), on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. The event includes on-water activities involving small boats and other vessels, a lowflying helicopter and pyrotechnics demonstrations.
     Coast Guard special local regulations establish a regulated area for all waters of the Severn River (from shoreline to shoreline), bounded to the northwest by a line drawn from the south shoreline at
39°00'38.9" N, 076°31'05.2" W, thence to the north shoreline at 39°00'54.7" N, 076°30'44.8" W, this line is approximately 1300 yards northwest of the Severn River (US-50) Bridge. The regulated area is bounded to the southeast by a line drawn from the Naval Academy Light at 38°58'39.5" N, 076°28'49" W, thence southeast to a point 700 yards east of Chinks Point, at 38°58'1.9" N, 076°28'1.7" W, thence northeast to Greenbury Point at 38°58'29" N, 076°27'16" W. The regulated area will be enforced from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 6, 2013. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain waters of the Severn River.
     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 VHF-FM channel 16 or 22A. 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 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. Charts 12282, 12283.