BoatUS Tips – The Boating Chronicle

West Coast’s Sailing Convention for Women Returns April 1, 2023

December 7, 2022

Corona Del Mar, California – 12/6/2022 – After a Covid hiatus the Sailing Convention for Women is back with full sails and expanded learning opportunities and slated for Saturday, April 1, 2023. Held at Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona Del Mar, California, the event marks the 33rd year offering beginning-to-experienced women sailors a chance to learn and enjoy camaraderie and fun through an all-day series of on-the-water instruction and shore-based workshops. “The Convention gives women an opportunity to meet other women sailors, discuss options for cruising, racing and recreational sailing, and find out about women’s sailing organizations in their area, as well […]

Florida extends deadline for Hurricane Ian derelict-vessel salvage help

November 22, 2022

Tallahassee, Florida – 11/22/2022 – Acknowledging the significant challenge facing many recreational boat owners who are unable to pay salvage costs for their Hurricane Ian- wrecked vessels, or who may still be assessing the extent of the damage, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) extended its Hurricane Ian waiver program through the end of 2022. The waivers, which require boat owners to release ownership of their vessels, are for the removal and destruction of Hurricane Ian-damaged vessels in public waterways. The waiver program’s grace period was formerly Nov. 15. Owners must apply by calling the FWC Hurricane Ian […]

A month after landfall, TowBoatUS hurricane Ian recovery crews face challenges

October 27, 2022

Pine Island, Florida – 10/27/2022 – Nearly one month after making landfall September 28 as a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Ian is still challenging TowBoatUS cleanup crews tasked with salvaging thousands of recreational vessels damaged or destroyed by the historic storm – one of the deadliest in the state’s history. The TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet from Naples to Venice, which typically handles routine on-water assistance for recreational boaters, is now at the center of the recovery effort to remove vessels from waterways, backyards, parks, roads, docks and boat lifts. “Based on the destruction we are seeing, Hurricane Ian was ten […]

Boaters on inland waters need to prepare for Ian, too

September 29, 2022

Springfield, Virginia – 9/29/2022 – As Hurricane Ian roared ashore in Florida yesterday, boaters on the coast made preparations to protect their boats from harm. The nation’s largest recreational boating advocacy, services, and safety group for boaters, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), now urges owners of recreational boats on inland waters to prepare. “Hurricane preparation is no longer an issue just for coastal boaters,” said BoatUS vice president of Public Affairs Scott Croft. “2011’s Hurricane Irene showed us that storms can damage boats on freshwater lakes and rivers, or when stored in backyards, far from the coast.” […]

What every boater wants for the holidays: 24/7 On-water assistance from TowBoatUS

August 9, 2022

Gadgets may make good holiday gifts. However, for a boater, having 24/7 on-the-water help just a call away is much better. Like belonging to an auto club for recreational boat owners, a BoatUS Unlimited Towing Membership provides professional on-water towing services by the TowBoatUS fleet ─ the nation’s largest network. It’s the perfect gift for the boater that continues to give all year long. A BoatUS Towing Membership takes care of the unexpected problems such as engine breakdowns, dead batteries, running out of fuel or running aground. Tows back to the launch ramp, home dock or marina are included for one low […]

3 Safety Changes You Need To Know

May 9, 2022

National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27 Annapolis, Maryland – 5/9/2022 – National Safe Boating Week arrives May 21–27 with an annual reminder for boaters to champion recreational boating safety all summer long. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water suggests that boat owners need to know about three recent U.S. Coast Guard regulations that have changed, what’s needed to be carried aboard, and how a vessel is to be operated at higher speeds. 1. Fire extinguishers: As of April 20, the USCG enacted a regulation allowing them to enforce fire extinguishers having a 12-year expiration date from the date of manufacture. Additionally, […]

BoatUS Consumer Alert: Be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. Mail offering U.S. Coast Guard documentation renewal

May 5, 2022

Official-looking vessel documentation renewal notices can lead to confusion and higher costs Springfield, Virginia – 5/5/2022 – Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising boaters with vessels that have a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. mail offering renewal. BoatUS advises that while the Coast Guard does send official annual renewal notices by U.S. mail, other notices being received by BoatUS members are not from the Coast Guard but rather third-party companies whose name or return addresses may appear similar to that of the official U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel […]

Whoa, boaters! Slow down on the recent E15 news.

April 18, 2022

It may not be as good as you think Springfield, Virginia – 4/18/2022 – There’s been a lot of pain at the pump lately with gas prices. The Biden administration’s April 12 move to give a waiver from the Clean Air Act to allow the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) during the summer months is intended to lower costs and stretch the nation’s fuel supply. However, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says the unintended consequence of the waiver could inadvertently put a harmful fuel prohibited for use in recreational vessels into your boat’s gas tank. BoatUS notes […]

Does Your Boat Meet All the New USCG Safety Regulations? A Vessel Safety Check Can Help.

April 13, 2022

A Vessel Safety Check Will Keep Your Boat Up-to-Date with New Boating Safety Equipment Regulations. A no-cost, no penalty vessel safety check ensures you’re in compliance. | Springfield, Virginia – 4/11/2022 – How do you know your boat is ready for a safe summer boating season and complies with new U.S. Coast Guard regulations? A no-cost, no penalty vessel safety check from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons can help, and to get one all you have to do is go to cgaux.org/vsc. Appointments can be made for a vessel examiner to come to your boat or you […]

3 Clean refueling tips for boaters for Earth Day and every day

April 13, 2022

Annapolis, Maryland – 4/12/2022 – At the first-ever Earth Day celebration in 1970, pollution was commonly accepted as the price of prosperity, and many Americans remained unaware of environmental concerns. Recreational boaters, however, could see the damage firsthand. “Boaters have always had a close relationship with the water,” said BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner. “We swim, fish and recreate in it, so clean water has always been important to us.” Today in honor of Earth Day, April 22, the BoatUS Foundation offers three marina or gas dock refueling tips that can prevent spills all […]