On behalf of the Club Officers, the Board of Governors, and myself, we would like to thank everyone who participated in Docks-In last weekend. The hard-working crew that got the Clubhouse and grounds shipshape did a great job getting us ready for the season. The porch furniture has already been put to use. We had quite a crowd that came down to watch the eclipse. The dock crews persevered through hung-up anchor chains, difficult weather, and river conditions. Being concerned about the river conditions, I asked Scott Kuhne to look at our safety protocols. Scott coordinated with Steve Disick and he provided a safety vessel and other safety gear to enable rescue in case someone fell into the river. There are no swimmers this Spring. Good job, guys. We also had a great crew replacing damaged floats. They replaced 25 damaged floats, which required marking and drilling over 100 new holes through some pretty tough steel. The team doing that work moved like a Formula 1 pit crew. We had some issues with the crane; special thanks to Tony and Joe who MacGyver’d up a quick fix to a broken hydraulic line. Without their skills, we would have had to shut down early on Sunday. All in all, it was a good weekend. Hard work, some frustrations, but it was also satisfying and fun. Club comradery was everywhere.

Thank you.

Michael Lochner - Commodore

NEW YORK — The owner and operator of the vessel Stimulus Money, Richard Cruz and Jaime Pinilla Gomez, were arrested and served with a complaint on March 7, 2024, after the July 2022 capsizing of the vessel while underway on the Hudson River, resulting in the death of two passengers, a seven-year-old boy, and a 48-year-old woman.

Cruz and Gomez are being charged each with one count of misconduct and neglect of ship officers, resulting in death, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.

Coast Guard Sector New York and the Coast Guard Investigative Services (CGIS) investigated the incident into suspected illegal passenger operations, finding that the vessel did not possess the required Certificate of Inspection (COI) and the operator did not have the required Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner credential (MMC) to operate a passenger vessel.

After completing the investigation, the Coast Guard referred the case to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for further consideration in potential criminal prosecution.

“We offer our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragic accident,” said Capt. Zeita Merchant, Captain of the Port of New York. “We can’t stress enough how important it is for owners and operators to know your vessel’s limits and how to safely navigate the waters where you are operating. It is just as important for passengers to understand and ensure those requirements placed upon vessel operators for credentialling are in place before getting underway.”

The Coast Guard urges the public to be on the lookout for illegal charters. If the vessel carries six or more passengers, with at least one paying for the charter, it must have a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI). Passengers can and should ask the vessel's captain to verify their license and the boat's inspection status.

All passengers should check the boat’s maximum capacity plate to see if it is equipped. The boat should not have more passengers or weight than it is equipped for. Overloading can cause the boat to ride lower in the water, reduce the vessel’s stability, and greatly increase the chance of capsizing.

Not only does illegal charter operation potentially constitute a violation of federal law, but owners and operators of vessels may also be subject to civil penalties of $60,000 or more for illegal passenger-for-hire operations. Charters that violate a Coast Guard Captain of the Port Order may also be subject to civil penalties of $111,000 per violation.

Some potential civil penalties for illegally operating a passenger vessel are:

• Up to $9,086 for operators' failure to be enrolled in a chemical testing program.
• Up to $5,661 for failure to provide a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire.
• Up to $19,324 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons.
• Up to $14,149 for failure to have been issued a valid Stability Letter before placing a vessel in service with more than six passengers for hire.

Mariners suspecting a passenger vessel is operating illegally should immediately contact Coast Guard Sector New York by VHF-Radio channel 16 call (718) 354-4353, or email at CGIS TIPS at https://www.p3tips.com/878.

Test your knowledge: Take a BoatUS Foundation online boating course.

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers a range of online boating safety training courses — including 36 free state boating safety courses — that make boating safety education affordable and accessible.

More than 220,000 boaters took one of these boating certification courses last year, which requires students to answer questions at the conclusion of each course correctly. Which questions did course takers get wrong most often? While we can’t outright give you the answers, here are some topics that course takers – or any boater – would be wise to study.

Do you know which way air moves? If you had said “from the prevailing direction,” you’d be incorrect. Air ultimately moves from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas, caused by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface. Weather for Boaters has more.

You’re in Mexico on the hook and see a yellow (Q) flag flying on the boat next to you. Being friendly, you welcome the neighboring crew to port with coffee and muffins, but they politely decline. What’s up? Did you happen to have bad luck finding yourself next to the only cranky boat crew in Baja? While the flag indicates the vessel is healthy, it also requests approval – under quarantine – to enter port. Therefore, holding off is best until they’ve cleared in. Planning Your Cruise will help you stay on the right side of the law, whether you're headed near or afar.

There’s a lot of new technology on boats today, and one of them growing in popularity is AIS, or Automatic Identification System, which can help you steer clear of ship traffic. How does it work? AIS uses VHF radio frequencies to broadcast the AIS information, including a vessel’s unique identification, position, course, and speed. AIS is also likely one of the last few remaining things your smartphone cannot do by itself … yet.

Can you explain compass variation and deviation? Variation is caused by the misalignment of the magnetic lines of force with the meridians of longitude (those imaginary lines from the North Pole to the South Pole), while deviation is caused by the effects of the vessel's magnetic properties. Due to deviation, you might want to remove the wrench you left in the storage drawer located just under the helm compass to ensure accurate functioning. Modern Marine Navigation has more.

What is the length of a mile? When setting up your GPS, it’s a big deal whether you choose statute or nautical miles. At 5,280 feet, a statute mile is about 12% shorter than a nautical mile, or 6,076 feet. The BoatUS Foundation’s How to Use GPS course shows that a whopping 796 feet of difference is enough room to get into trouble.

You’re in your powerboat heading down the lake, and another powerboat less than a half-mile ahead appears to be meeting or crossing with you and makes two short horn blasts. What does this mean? If you said that the boats intend to pass you from starboard to starboard, congratulate yourself for this correct answer! You can learn all the signals you need to operate a boat safely by taking a free, state-specific Basic Boating Course.

To help boaters decide to take an online course, the Foundation is offering a 25% discount on all paid courses through April 30, using the code SAVE-ON.

The GEICO/BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claims files are full of incidents that likely could have been avoided by spending a little time upgrading … the skipper!

BY CHARLES FORT

Our decades of experience as a recreational boat insurer means that here at GEICO/BoatU.S. Marine Insurance, our in-house experts know that things like leaking thru-hulls and sloppy electrical work are what often lead to insurance claims. But we also see too many claims that could have been avoided by improving the skills of the operator. To see what we mean, try answering these quick quiz questions:

1. What is the safest thing to do for someone suspected of having hypothermia?

A. Give them a warm alcoholic beverage

B. Massage the body to circulate blood

C. Get immediate medical attention

D. Apply hot towels to the head to thin the blood

2. How does alcohol use affect boat operators or passengers?

A. Physical reactions become slower

B. Depth perception becomes sharper

C. Reasoning ability becomes quicker

D. Balance and sense of direction improve

3. Which of the following is considered a safe refueling practice?

A. Closing all hatches and doors while refueling

B. Turning your key on to operate the fuel gauge

C. Sending all passengers below while refueling

D. Using the hands-free clip to avoid spills

4. U.S. Coast Guard regulations require that a 14-foot powerboat carry which of the following items between sunset and sunrise?

A. Power horn and bell

B. Garbage placards

C. Navigation lights

D. Navigation handbook

5. Which of the following is a requirement for life jackets?

A. They must be properly sized for the intended wearer

B. They must be stored safely in a watertight bag

C. They must provide miles-per-hour impact

D. They must be orange or other highly visible color

6. Which of the following is recommended when docking with wind and the current?

A. Whenever possible, approach the dock with the wind and the current

B. Have your fenders and docklines ready before you approach the dock

C. Have crew positioned to physically fend off the dock

D. Prepare two docklines; any more than that will get tangled

Answers: 1:C, 2:A, 3:A, 4:C, 5:A, 6:B

How’d you do? Those were some simple sample questions asked in our BoatU.S. Foundation Safety Course, most based on real-life situations that resulted in real accidents found in our GEICO/BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files. This winter, as you’re thinking of projects you want to check off your boat to-do list for next year, consider adding the following simple items to improve your skills. You’ll reduce your risk of accidents and become a better and safer boater.

ONLINE EXTRA

Visit BoatUS.org/Free to take our free state-specific online safety course.

Challenge what you think you know

Last spring, an inexperienced boater took eight fishing buddies out in his new boat on Pamlico Sound. Unfortunately, the boat was only rated to carry six and, in what was described as fairly calm waters, the boat capsized, throwing the men in the water. Worse, there were only life jackets for four. The men survived by clinging to the upturned boat until rescued. If the water had been a little colder, the story could have had a tragic ending.

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that in accidents that involve injuries or fatalities, the majority of operators had no formal boating education. By contrast, only 6% of fatalities involved operators who had taken a state-approved online boating safety course. Do the math and you’ll see why taking a course over winter (or any time of year) can make you a safer boater. Free online boating safety courses that meet requirements for most states are available from our BoatU.S. Foundation. Take it a step further and check out the Foundation’s other courses, including Weather for Boaters, AIS for Boaters, Propane Systems on your Boat, and even Learn to Sail. In all, there are 14 more courses in addition to the state approved training. (BoatUS.org/Free)

Other organizations offering training include the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which includes courses for children, knot-tying, and more. America’s Boating Club offers classroom instruction on subjects such as piloting as well as engine maintenance and electrical-system courses. If you really want to dig deep into the systems on your boat, the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) offers advanced courses like outboard and sterndrive corrosion and propeller selection and sizing.

Hone your on-the-water skills

Last time we looked at our top 10 insurance claims, collisions came in at No. 3. While many collisions are serious, such as a few high-profile ones in the 2019 season that ended in fatalities, most are low-speed encounters with a dock or another boat while maneuvering, often caused by inexperience at the helm. Most of us took driver’s ed to learn to drive a car and hopefully not hit things in a parking lot, but there’s been no such thing for boaters.

Until now. Here’s an easy way to get some hands-on training with experts in order to fine-tune your maneuvering skills. BoatU.S. offers on-water powerboat training courses at locations around the country. Courses include Intro to Boating (for both single-engine and twin-screw vessels), Women Making Waves (same as Intro to Boating, but for female students only), and Precision Docking and Boat Handling. Courses are typically three hours long and affordably priced around $149 per person. Boats and safety gear are included in the cost of all courses. The Precision Docking and Boat Handling course covers 180-degree turnarounds, docking on both port and starboard sides, departing from a dock, and how to use the SCAN (Search, Concentrate, Analyze, and Negotiate) method to learn how to anticipate and avoid potential collision situations. Class sizes are limited to four students per vessel, ensuring students gets sufficient time at the helm under the watchful eye of a U.S. Coast Guard-certified instructor. (BoatUS.org/On-Water)

Kick back and watch videos

A recent insurance claim came from the new owner of a 34-foot single-engine trawler who turned down a long, narrow fairway in an unfamiliar marina, looking for a transient slip. At the end, the skipper realized he was in the wrong part of the marina and needed to turn around. Never having done it before, he tried spinning the boat around with a flurry of wheel and too much throttle. Before he’d gotten out of the fairway, five boats had received varying amounts of damage.

If you can’t take a hands-on course, you can still visit our YouTube site for our (free) comprehensive library of more than 100 BoatU.S. videos on nearly every boating subject – including exactly how to make a pivot turn in a marina. BoatU.S. videos are concise and educational, presented by our own experts – BoatU.S. editors and instructors who are knowledgeable, clear teachers.

2 books to keep you out of hot water

If you’re like most of us, you’ve got dozens of boating books in your library. When was the last time you opened one? With the winter wind blowing, now is a good time to take one out and expand your knowledge. Chapman Piloting and Seamanship is one of the best reference books a boater can have, but until you read chapter six on anchoring, or chapter 11 on rough weather, this engrossing book is not helping you.

While the title might sound dry, the Amalgamated International and U.S. Inland Navigation Rules (commonly known as the “Rules of the Road” for boating) covers regulations and requirements for boaters, with topics such as sound signals, passing and overtaking other boats, and required safety equipment. (Pop quiz: Does two horn blasts from another boat mean they want to pass to starboard or port?) In fact, if your boat is more than 39 feet long, you’re required to have a copy of the rules onboard, something that a skipper cruising with his family last year in Puget Sound on their 45-foot sailboat learned after being boarded and fined for not having one (among other things). It’s a fantastic reference if you want to review such things as when to have a lookout (Rule 5), regulations for sailing vessels (Rule 12), and even the lights used when a boat is minesweeping (Rule 27). (Answer: Two short blasts means, “I intend to leave you on my starboard side.” Rule 34)

Crack open your manuals

A couple of years ago, our BoatU.S. Consumer Affairs department received a call from a member wanting to know where to buy a manual for his new-to-him Mercruiser sterndrive. The reason? The winter after he bought the boat, he winterized it the way he always had on his last boat, also a Mercruiser sterndrive. But the new engine had two additional drains that he overlooked, which caused the block to crack over the winter as the trapped water froze. That problem could have been avoided by reading the manual.

Most of us see the pile of manuals that come with our boats and gear, read the quick-start summaries, figure we’ll read the rest when we have time, and never give it another thought until something goes very expensively wrong and it’s too late. Well, winter is a great time to pull out the manuals for your engine, VHF, chartplotter, and more. Learn how to use all the useful features on your radio, radar, GPS, and other gear. At best, you’ll learn something that saves the day next season; at the least, you’ll make sure your boat and gear are serviced in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and remain under warranty.

For the lack of a good knot, boats are lost

While they might not save your life, knowing how to tie a few knots and hitches might save you a lot of grief. Every year, GEICO/BoatU.S. Marine Insurance gets several claims for dinghies that went missing while being towed, for boats that were banged up by dock rash when a dockline came off, and for boats blown ashore when a mooring pendant let loose. What do these claims have in common? Incorrect or inadequate knot-tying.

Over the years, riggers and seamen devised hundreds of knots, bends, hitches, and splices, all for good reason. Because docklines as well as most of the sail-control lines on sailboats are made of rope, you still need to master a few basic but versatile knots to take care of your crew and your boat. Making sure a dockline stays on the piling with the right hitch can help you sleep better at night. Being able to tie the right knot, bend, or hitch in the dark, quickly, can save your bacon time and again. This winter, practice the bowline, clove hitch, sheet bend, and reef knot – until you can do them at speed with your eyes closed.

Take a first-aid course

If one of your guests falls and hits his or her head on your boat, would you know what to do? How about if one of your crew develops heat exhaustion? Or has chest pains? Unfortunately, these frightening situations often lead to a cascade of other problems that result in boat damage because people onboard become understandably panicked. Claims for damage (and sometimes liability claims for injuries that weren’t properly addressed) result. The more you know about how to treat someone who’s hurt, the less likely you are to show up in our claims files.

Dreaming of summer cruises doesn’t usually include fishhook-impaled fingers, sunburn, or sprained ankles, but we all know stuff happens on the water. Having a first-aid kit is great, but you need to know how to use what’s in it, and how to respond if there’s a medical emergency onboard. Having a course under your belt will take away much of the stress of an emergency as well as make it more likely your crew (or you) will quickly recover. The Red Cross offers first-aid and CPR courses around the country, and you can also find American Heart Association courses specifically for boaters that cover extras like carbon monoxide exposure, hypothermia, electric shock drowning (ESD) and seasickness.

ONLINE EXTRA

Visit BoatUS.com/First-Aid-Kit to learn what items you should have in your boat’s first-aid kit.

Bio: Charles Fort is a former associate editor and head of consumer affairs at BoatU.S.

This article was reprinted with permission from BoatU.S. Magazine, flagship publication of the membership organization Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.). For more expert articles and videos to make your boating, sailing, or fishing better, visit BoatUS.com.

We all share the same water, so being a responsible boater is everyone’s job. BoatU.S. explains how to do your part.

By Mark Corke, BoatU.S. Magazine Contributing Editor

It’s easier than you think to accidentally turn what should be a routine chore at the fuel dock into a first-class mess. Part of being a sensible, responsible boater is ensuring that fuel tanks are filled correctly and no fuel is spilled into the water, which can have significant consequences for aquatic life. Here are 10 simple ways to avoid this issue.

Filling fuel tanks requires careful procedures. Even if a fuel-fill nozzle has a lock-off device, don't use it. By the time the nozzle catch has tripped and stopped the flow of fuel, you may have already sent a fair amount of fuel onto the deck and into the water. This malady is most often caused by "burping," which is the result of air trapped in the tank or the boat's fill hose. It escapes through the fuel fill, bringing fuel with it.

The Clean Way Fuel Fill [https://cleanwayfuelfill.shop] is an example of a product that helps avoid fuel spills at the pump. In the event of fuel burping back through the filler, excess fuel is directed upward into the device, where downward sloping baffles lead overflowing fuel back into the tank.

Another method is to wrap an oil absorbent pad or heavy absorbent sock around the fuel fill nozzle to catch any blowback or errant spills. And always keep ample oil-absorbent pads within quick reach should something go wrong. An internet search will reveal various products to help prevent spills, but always look for testing reviews and do some testing yourself to be sure that any product does as advertised in your situation.

Fuel in the bilge

Not all oil pollution occurs while filling the boat with fuel. Bilge water often contains oil, grease, and fuel. To prevent this oily water from being pumped out of the boat by the bilge pump, consider placing oil-absorbent sheets under inboard engines. A couple of oil absorbent bilge socks or sausages in the lowest part of the bilge close to the bilge pump pickup (but not interfering with the pickup or switch) will go a long way to preventing dirty bilge water from polluting waterways.

At least once a year, check all fuel hoses for cracks and loose connections that may cause leaks, replacing any that may be suspect. ABYC standards stipulate that all fuel fill hoses should be double-clamped, so ensure that all hose clamps are in place and well tightened.

In sum, preventing spills is up to all of us. Using a little common sense and some basic preventive measures, we can keep our waterways clean for all. But no matter which “devices” or techniques you use, “CAUTION” is always in order. With fuel, oil or grease, it doesn’t take much on a boat for something to go wrong causing a sheen on the surface.

10 ways to prevent fuel spills

1. Make sure that you’re putting fuel into the correct tank. GEICO | BoatU.S. receives claims each year from someone pumping fuel into a rod holder or water tank.

2. Fill tanks only to about 95% capacity to allow for expansion and sloshing as the boat moves.

3. Do not top off the tank. The boat’s movement may cause fuel to leak from the tank vent, causing pollution.

4. Use absorbent sheets or pads around the fuel pump nozzle while transferring it from the dock to the boat and while filling to prevent splashes marking boat decks and leaking into the water.

5. Listen carefully. It’s often possible to hear when the fuel is getting closer to the top of the tank.

6. Hold (or have someone else hold) a highly absorbent rag or fuel absorbent pad at the fuel tank’s air vent to absorb any spillage from the vent. Or consider purchasing a fuel-vent collection device that sticks on the outside of the boat with suction cups and will hopefully collect any fuel that happens to find its way out of the vent. But if there is ANY question of this type of device adhering to the hull, have someone hold it in place.

7. Consider installing a whistle in the fuel-vent line, designed to make noise as long as fuel is flowing. As soon as the tank is full, the whistle stops, and you know it’s full.

8. Don’t let the higher pump speed catch you unaware. Many pumps at fuel docks fill at a much quicker rate than those at the local gas station to allow boats that often have large fuel tanks to fill faster. Also, even if a fuel-fill nozzle has a lock-off device, don’t use it. By the time the nozzle catch has tripped and stopped the flow of fuel, you may have already sent a fair amount of fuel onto the deck and into the water.

9. Regularly check your fuel system for leaks. Not only is this a fire and explosion hazard, but if fuel leaks into the bilge, it may be pumped over the side by the bilge pump.

10. Replace the gas cap after fueling, and maintain the gasketing around the cap.

What To Do If It Happens

By law, any oil or fuel spill that leaves a sheen on the water must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center by calling (800) 424-8802. If it happens, do not (as some have erroneously done) try to use detergents of any kind to disperse spilled fuel. This does more harm than good. It only breaks down the fuel floating on the water into smaller particles, making it much harder to clean up and more toxic to marine life. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one pint of fuel spilled into the sea or lake creates a toxic oil slick that can cover 1 acre, larger than a football field.

Pro Tip

If you have a gasoline inboard engine, run the blower for at least 4 minutes — more is better — after filling the tank to disperse explosive vapors before attempting to start the engine. The blower and its switch should be ignition-protected and designed for the purpose.

BoatU.S. Foundation

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Safety & Clean Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping boating safe and clean. It is independently funded by donations from BoatU.S. members and grants. Visit BoatUS.org to learn more. [http://www.boatus.org]

Prevent fuel spills

The Clean Way Fuel Fill is one of several products that help prevent fuel spills.

This article was reprinted with permission from BoatU.S. Magazine, flagship publication of the membership organization Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.). For more expert articles and videos to make your boating, sailing, or fishing better, visit BoatUS.com.

Happy New Year everyone!

As this is my final newsletter, I sit here reflecting on the past two years as your Commodore, on all the great times spent with everyone, the bumps along the way and how we got through them, not to mention all the great projects that we accomplished together to improve and enhance our club, as well as the ones still to come.

Being in this position can be very challenging as it involves a lot of decision making that may not always appease everyone. It’s a balance between being in a leadership role and navigating friendships. The two can certainly take a toll on relationships that have evolved along the way. It is my only hope that all of you can separate the two.

When I accepted this position I didn’t realize how demanding it would be. It’s a full time job in itself that requires a lot of time and sacrifice and it doesn’t come with a salary. However, it may not pay monetarily but, with a lot of perseverance and patience, it can also be very rewarding. Not only have I learned a lot but I continue to learn from this experience, I’m more confident now not only in myself, but as a leader.

Having said that, this is not a one person job. The officers and board members play equal roles. I could not have done this without all of their support. We’ve witnessed many upgrades and changes both inside and outside, as well as how the club is being operated. The club was at a standstill and our profits were very little especially during Covid. We needed consistency and some sort of management if you will, to move forward in the right direction. This is by no means meant to make anyone uncomfortable and I hope you all understand we are not trying to operate a business, as many of you have expressed. We've made some much needed aesthetic upgrades as well as upgrades needed to comply with safety regulations.

I definitely would like to give credit where credit is due: Deb Legas, Bob Helwig, and Peg and Mike Lochner for whom without, AYC would not be where we are today. They devote countless hours cooking, cleaning, remodeling, maintaining the kitchen, event planning, bartending, among many other things. They do not improvise and they try their best to accommodate all of us the best they can. Also to Sean O'Neill, who helped me tremendously with his knowledge of all the insurance procedures, rental protocol and many other areas that were so important to navigate.

I encourage you to get involved, be kind and patient as we maneuver through the growing pains. Look how far we’ve come! Some may not agree with me and some will. I feel we are moving in the right direction and it takes all of us as members to work together to come to a common ground to keep our “family” together and succeed.

I most definitely could not have done this demanding position alone, and I have the utmost appreciation and thanks to my fellow officers and board members for their input and guidance they all gave me the past two years, as well as countless members who were always willing to help as well. It was definitely a team effort the whole way. We are very fortunate to have such a wealth of knowledge and experience within the membership. I’ve held many positions here since we became members. It wasn’t on my radar. However I have no regrets.

One special person that I most certainly need to Thank is my lovely wife, Michelle. There were many times she gave me guidance and direction that I could not find within myself. I truly appreciate all of her patience, sacrifice and understanding these past few years more than she knows.

In closing, I’d just like to say that change is inevitable, I truly believe in order to have growth we have to have change. Try not to resist change, but rather embrace it!

It has been quite a ride and I’d like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity. If you don’t know already, I’m leaving you in excellent hands. It is my pleasure to welcome Mike Lochner as your new Commodore! THANK YOU ALL!!