SPRING/SUMMER 2006 Who would have thought that recreational boating in the great Northwest could be affected by so many changes since 9/11? To be sure, we have been impacted and the changes just keep coming. RBAW is in full support of the boater’s role in Homeland Security and we at RBAW are doing our best to keep up with all the new rules for boaters and keep you informed. Be sure to monitor this Web site often as well as Web sites from other Northwest boating sources, The Waggoner online (www.waggonerguide.com) and Northwest Boat Travel (www.boattravel.com). Between us, we are in communication and work to keep boaters informed in this fast changing environment. RBAW 2005 LEGISLATIVE REPORT Boater Ed Bill Passes State Legislature. 2005 BOATING NEWS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA RBAW/CBCYC Meeting Minutes PARTICIPATE IN WATERWAY WATCH The Coast Guard needs you! Find out how you can help in the post-September 11 world. Find out why the Coast Guard needs you VHF CH. 71 OFF-LIMITS FOR BOATERS IN PUGET SOUND Read more RBAW POSTED VESSEL NAVIGATION, SAFETY & COMMUNICATION PUBLICATIONS Read them here MARINE INSURANCE ALERT Find out what may be missing from your insurance coverage. VICTORY FOR BALLARD LOCKS FUNDING Find out more BULLETIN: BOATERS CANPASS New CANPASS information available from Canadian Customs. BULLETIN: COAST GUARD ESTABLISHES ADDITIONAL SECURITY ZONE FOR FERRY BOATS AND ALL PASSENGER VESSELS. Post-Sept. 11 security zones prohibited boaters from approaching within 100 yards of U.S. military vessels and tankers; and operate at minimum speeds within 500 yards. The Coast Guard is now also imposing security zones in the vicinity of all passenger vessels more than 100 feet in length. This includes the Washington State Ferries. See both the older notice on the Tank Ship Security Zone and the newest notice on the passenger vessel/ferry boat security zone. BOATER'S ROLE IN HOMELAND SECURITY What can we do to help the Coast Guard with Homeland Security? Coast Guard Operation Boat Smart Officer, Cdr. Kim Pickens advises, The "Boaters Role" outreach materials are available and the Coast Guard is looking for assistance distributing these materials, especially posters and decals. Your assistance getting the word out to boaters and boating organizations is appreciated. The National Safe Boating Council have posters and brochures for distribution. To order go to safeboatingcouncil.org/brochures.htm. You can download individual brochures, or order a quantity for your boating group. Learn about our role as responsible boaters in keeping our waterways safe and secure! COAST GUARD VTS RECOMMENDS BOATERS MONITOR VHF RADIO TRAFFIC CHANNELS The Vessel Traffic Service Puget Sound (VTS) is a marine traffic service operated by the United States Coast Guard in Seattle. Also known as "Seattle Traffic," they provide navigational assistance to the maritime community of Puget Sound similar to the methods used by the FAA in providing air traffic control to aviators. When out on the water, VTS wants you to be aware of your location and surroundings, including other traffic. Monitor the Puget Sound and Canadian VTS VHF Channels to find out commercial traffic you could encounter. Listen to VHF Ch. 14 for traffic reports south of Possession and Bush Pt., VHF Ch. 5A for reports north of Possession and Bush Pt. In Canada monitor VHF Ch. 74 Tofino for traffic in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and VHF Ch. 11 Victoria for traffic in Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, Georgia Strait, and Gulf Islands. Recreational vessels (under 65 ft.) not required to participate but being tuned in to VTS is free, and a great source of timely traffic information that could save your life, loved ones, and property. The Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service has an excellent website with info for recreational boaters. Go to: http://www.uscg.mil/d13/units/vts/psvts.html CELL PHONE BROCHURES AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION In conjunction with the Coast Guard, NBF has published a quick little public service boaters guide outlining the proper use of cell phones while boating. It explains the importance of using a VHF radio over cell phones in emergency situations. RBAW has a good supply of these new brochures and we are eager to distribute them to boating clubs and individuals at no charge. Contact us at info@rbaw.org or mail us your request. 2007 BOATERS LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM OLYMPIA April 22ND was the final day of the Washington State Legislative Session that commenced on January 8TH – this was our long session. We made great progress this year supporting and working hard on three good boating bills that passed in Olympia. Read about the session recap. BOATER E-LERT LIST Please enter your e-mail address below if you would like to be e-lerted to important boating events on this Web site. We promise, we will not overwhelm you with a ton of messages. We use the e-lerts infrequently and only as necessary. Conversely, if you'd like to be unsubscribed from our Boater Alert e-mail list, please fill out the unsubscription form. Read  previous  Boater  Alerts Select a month __________________ Latest Boater News Fall/Winter 2006-2007 Spring/Summer 2006 Fall/Winter 2005-2006 Fall/Winter 2003/2004 Spring/Summer 2003 Winter 2003 Fall/Winter 2002-2003 Spring 2002 Winter 2001-2002 Summer 2001 Spring 2001 February 2001 January/February 2001 December 2000 November 2000 Sept./October 2000 July 2000 May/June 2000 __________________ Home | About RBAW | Boater News | Events Calendar Our Members | You Can Help | Join RBAW | Contact Us Design & Development by Dan Larsen