The Harbor Column -- Mike Whitehead

Ahoy.

I can tell summer is here when the bay is full of Sabots being guided

by youngsters tacking every which direction, transforming the water into

a sea of white sails. I think most of us began our boating experiences in

Sabots and then on to Lidos, Lasers, Hobies, Shields and so on where 5

knots of speed felt like a race car.

But what happened to the Hobie Cats that were very popular in the ‘70s

and ‘80s, but that you see so rarely now? I have noticed a new addition

to the sailing fleet over the last few years in the form of small,

unmanned radio-controlled sailboats that are usually found in the area of

the South Shore Yacht Club.

From my years of teaching sailing, I think that small boat sailing

helps build self-confidence and nautical skills in everyone who

participants from youths to adults. No matter what your age is you should

try sailing, and public classes are offered at the Orange Coast College

Sailing Center, Boy Scout Sea Base, city of Newport Beach, local sailing

clubs and at a few of the yacht clubs.

Speaking of sailing, as you read this, the sailboats that entered the

Transpac Race are crossing the finish line off Diamond Head, Hawaii,

after starting off Point Fermin near Los Angeles Harbor. There are a few

sailors and boats from Newport Harbor in this long test of courage race:

Chance (R/P 74), Bob McNulty; J-Bird III (Transpac 52), David Janes; Taxi

Dancer (R/P 68), Brian W. Mock; DH--Watercolors (Sabre 402), Michael

Abraham; Shanakee II (Pedrick 75), Jim Warmington; and Bonaire (Moody

65), Gil Jones and Associates.

You can go to o7 https://www.transpacificyc.orgf7 and view the race

results for who has finished and who is still out sailing in the middle

of the Pacific. Just before deadline, the top leaders from Newport were

Chance in first of Division I, J-Bird III in second for Division II, and

Shanakee II in second for the Aloha Division.

Sailing in the harbor is very enjoyable but let’s keep it safe by

having the life jackets easily accessible with children and nonswimmers

always wearing a life jacket. The 2001 Safe Boating Campaign theme is

“Boat smart from the start. Wear your life jacket.”

While sailing, before you tack, use common courtesy to look around so

that you do not turn directly and without notice in front of another

boater.

At night, between sunset to sunrise, and other periods of reduced

visibility, you must display the proper navigational (running) lights for

either a vessel sailing or a sailing vessel under power. Remember, a

vessel under sail must display the port red and starboard green forward

lights plus a white stern light, and when under power, you must add the

forward white masthead (steaming) light.

I see many skippers who forget to turn on the masthead light and those

with their anchor light on while cruising. On a very dark night, if you

are sailing and you suspect that a nearby boater does not see you, shine

a flashlight up against the sails that is very easy to see from a

distance alerting other boaters.

Keep in mind there are numerous safety items that must be aboard your

boat. To find out what is required, click on to o7

https://www.uscgboating.org/equip/equip_tellme.aspf7 or get a courtesy

inspection.

If you need help in the harbor, call the Newport Harbor Patrol

(Newport KDG) on VHF marine channel 16 and if it’s a nonemergency, you

will be switched to 12, the working channel.

Safe Voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him

your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions via e-mail

to o7 Mike@BoathouseTV.comf7 or o7 https://www.BoathouseTV.comf7 .