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Articles written by Alan Sorum
All 420 articles written by Alan Sorum Category: Boating & Sailing (general) 2008 was a good year for the United States Coast Guard and a number of videos showing the agency's operational highlights have been released. more... Fishing for Litter in Scotland: Reducing Waste in Great Britain, Scandinavia and Western Europe Category: Green/Clean Boating Efforts are being introduced in Scotland to reduce marine debris and litter through the Fishing for Litter program. more... Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance Like in Alaska, commercial fishing is the most dangerous occupation found in the United Kingdom. A study has been released to address this problem. more... Category: Weather Forecasting 2008 marked a very active Atlantic hurricane season, it was noted for the total number of storms and the many major hurricanes that developed. more... Category: Marine Habitats Ocean chemistry in the Caribbean is variable and the effects of ocean acidification caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide could limit future growth of coral reefs. more... Plan to End Overfishing Proposed: National Leaders Develop Roadmap for Better Fisheries Management Category: Marine Conservation Adoption of catch shares in commercial fishing is seen as one way to advert the economic and environmental disaster that will occur if overfishing continues. more... Clean Regatta Program Initiative: Sailors for the Sea Green Sailing Certification for Yacht Clubs Category: Green/Clean Boating Sailing regattas can improve their stewardship of the marine waters and avoid additional governmental regulation by adopting voluntarily green sailing standards. more... Insulation and High Energy Costs: Home Insulating Tips to Help Lower Heating Bills Category: Home Insulation Adequate house insulation helps home owners lower winter heating costs and provides environmental benefits to the community. more... Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Appropriate use of antifouling bottom paint and systematic hull cleaning can discourage the spread of invasive and nuisance species from one region to another. more... Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Making boating universally available to all people is the vocation of Scott Rains and he is promoting this effort through the concept of Universal Design. more... Community Sustainable Development: Eight Steps to Take Towards Promoting Economic Renewal Category: World Development Sustainable development is vital to the health of communities and especially important to rural communities now under pressure from high energy and infrastructure costs. more... Reducing Excessive Boat Wake: Wakes Erode Shorelines, Harm Habitat, and Cause Property Damage Category: Green/Clean Boating Wakes are waves caused by a boat moving through the water. Excessive boat wakes have a negative effect on the aquatic environment. more... Rising Threat to Freshwater Fish: Escalating Endangerment Seen in North American Fisheries Category: Freshwater Fishing Destruction of aquatic habitat and invasive species are among the many factors that are causing a decline in North American freshwater fish and threaten their survival. more... Storing Boats Fueled with E-10: BoatU.S. Organization Recommends Leaving Tanks Full for the Winter Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance Boats stored for the winter fueled with ethanol can benefit from recommendations made by BoatU.S. for long-term storage. more... Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance Intelligent Brake and Reverse (iBR) is a recent innovation introduced in Sea-Doo personal watercraft that dramatically reduces stopping distances on the water. more... Category: Green/Clean Boating A group of businesses in Germany are leading a European Union effort to develop a viable commercial passenger ship that runs on hydrogen. more... Reducing Right Whale Ship Strikes: Limiting the Human Caused Mortality of North Atlantic Whales Category: Boating & Sailing (general) There are fewer than 300 North Atlantic Right whales left in the world and actions taken by mariners can make all the difference in protecting this endangered species. more... Storm Tide Stations Guard Seashore: Hardened Water Level Observing Platforms Part of National System Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance Water level observing stations measure storm and severe weather conditions allowing development of accurate forecasts to support coastal public safety. more... Okeanos Explorer Commissioned: NOAA Commissions First Ship Dedicated Solely to Ocean Exploration Category: Oceanography Okeanos Explorer represents the future of ocean research conducted by the United States through a vessel dedicated exclusively to ocean exploration. more... The Green Blue Program: Concern for the Environment Second Nature for Clean Boating Group Category: Green/Clean Boating Boaters in the United Kingdom enjoy the support of an environmental stewardship organization called The Green Blue that encourages good ecological boating practices. more... Top Ten Clean Boating Tips: Suggestions from the California Clean and Green Boating Campaign Category: Green/Clean Boating There are many things boaters can do to reduce the impact they have on the marine environment and become greener sailors. more... Clean Boating Effort in California: California Coastal Commission Clean and Green Boating Campaign Category: Green/Clean Boating Clean boating has a friend in the California Coastal Commission with its Clean and Green Boating Campaign led by California Department of Boating and Waterways. more... Ecological Impact of Plastic Lures: Fishing Responsibly by Using Alternatives for Soft Lure Baits Category: Green/Clean Boating Soft plastic fishing lures contribute to the marine debris problem found in lakes and oceans. There are alternatives available for soft lure baits. more... Benefits of Offshore Aquaculture: Report Outlines U.S. Economic Benefits for Seafood Production Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Environmentally sound development of offshore aquaculture in the United States is seen as having potential future benefits for its citizens. more... Online Vessel Provisioning in France: A Web Based Model for Purchasing Boat Victuals and Stores Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Shop à Bord is a vessel provisioning and victualling service in France that could serve as a model for other ports worldwide. more... Category: Hunting & Fishing (general) Researchers have published a study summarizing the effects of lead on wildlife coming from lead shot, spent bullets, and fishing sinkers. more... See My Sea Boat Exchange Program: Worldwide Vessel Swapping Opens New Boating Horizons Category: Boating & Sailing (general) A French company is providing boaters with the opportunity to share their boats and boating experiences with other vessel owners worldwide. more... New Fisheries Conservation Journal: Eddies: Reflections on Fisheries Conservation Now Published Category: Boating & Sailing (general) The Fish and Wildlife Service has released a new quarterly magazine centered on the Agency's fisheries program called Eddies: Reflections on Fisheries Conservation. more... Granville Island's Farmer's Market: A Great Outdoor Shopping Experience in Vancouver, BC Category: British Columbia Travel Consider a visit to Granville Island with its weekly Farmer's Market held each Thursday throughout the summer season. more... Choosing an Energy Assessor: Things to Consider When Hiring an Audit Company Category: Energy Conservation There are several factors a homeowner should consider prior to hiring a home energy assessment company. The Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) has suggestions. more... The Great River Journey: Discover Why First Nations People Admire the Yukon River Category: Volunteer & Eco Adventures (general) A unique partnership known as Great River Journey offers visitors a chance to live and experience Canada's True North. more... Ocean Guardian School Program: Grants for California Schools to Sponsor Water Conservation Projects Category: Marine Conservation Some California schools have the opportunity to become "Ocean Guardians" through a National Marine Sanctuaries grant program that funds local ocean conservation projects. more... Freshwater Ecoregions of the World: A Comprehensive Global Map Promoting Biodiversity Conservation Category: Environmentalism (general) A new map has been developed to provide the first biogeographic regionalization of freshwater systems. Freshwater ecoregions are a framework for species conservation. more... Boat Trailer Towing Tips: Trailering Boats is More than Hitching Up and Driving Down the Road Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Safely towing a boat trailer to the launch depends on a number of things including tow vehicle ratings, safe trailer loading, and using good trailer towing technique. more... 2007 Grow Boating Annual Report: Encouraging Non-Boaters to Discover and Participate in Boating Category: Boating & Sailing (general) The Grow Boating Initiative is in its third year of promoting the boating lifestyle and encouraging non-boaters to discover boating for themselves. more... SeaBis Electrolysis Control System: Preventing Electrolytic Corrosion and Electric Shock Drowning Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance An Australian company is distributing an electrolytic corrosion (electrolysis) prevention kit that could prevent damage to boats and improve marina safety. more... Category: Boating & Sailing (general) National research shows that commercial fishing vessel safety could greatly be improved along the west coast of the United States. more... Greenhouse Gasses Climb in 2007: Sharp Rise Seen in Carbon Dioxide and Methane Levels Category: Climate Change Data released for the Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI) show a dramatic rise in atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and major increases in methane. more... Aerial Study of Arctic Pollution: NOAA Aircraft to Probe and Measure Pollutants in the North Category: Environmentalism (general) Transportation of pollutants from the middle latitudes to the polar regions is a recognized phenomenon. ARCPAC will measure these pollutants of the arctic environment. more... Rats! Marine Waterfront Hazards: Efforts to Reduce Rat Infestations in Alaska's Ports and Harbors Category: Green/Clean Boating Rats are a harmful invasive species that adversely affect boat wiring, seafood quality, ground nesting seabirds, and human health. Steps can be taken to control them. more... Sea Lice Infest More Fish Stocks: Further Infestations Found in Discovery Islands Salmon Populations Category: Marine Habitats Reports of sea lice infestations to young salmon have been limited to the Broughton Archipelago, BC. Researchers have now found them on fish near the Discovery Islands. more... Nautical Chart Educational Program: Multimedia Effort to Teach Charting and Navigation to Children Category: Boating & Sailing (general) NOAA Ocean Service Education has released a multimedia educational program for elementary aged students that teaches children about nautical charts and marine navigation. more... Coast Guard HC-144A Ocean Sentry: The New USCG Medium Range Surveillance Aircraft (MRS) Category: Boating & Sailing (general) The Coast Guard is adopting the HC-144A Ocean Sentry, a derivative of the well known CASA CN-235-300, to serve as its new medium range surveillance aircraft. more... Ways to Get in Trouble Boating: Ruin Your Next Boat Outing in Ten Easy Steps Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance Here are ten perfectly good ways to get into trouble during your next boating trip. Most boating accidents are preventable, especially if these actions are avoided. more... Green Yachting on the Horizon: Planned Independence 60 Yacht Eliminates Fossil Fuel Dependence Category: Green/Clean Boating Independence Green Yachts is developing a 60-foot full displacement hull trawler that is powered through use of solar panels, hydrogen generator and fuel cells. more... Category: Weather Forecasting Installation of Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) on Hurricane Hunter aircraft will provide better surface wind readings the National Hurricane Center. more... Biofuel Blends Are Often Inexact: Accurate Biodiesel Blending Poses a Problem for Many Distributors Category: Energy Conservation Biodiesel sold to many consumers may be inaccurately blended and not contain the amount of biofuel advertised by its labeling. more... Avoiding Propeller Strike Injuries: Boat Prop Accidents are Traumatic and Preventable Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance Propeller related injuries are very traumatic and underreported nationally. Fortunately they are easily prevented. more... Tire Care and the Environment: Poorly Maintained Tires Waste Fuel and Contribute to Global Warming Category: Energy Conservation Proper tire maintenance saves money by improving fuel economy and reducing tire replacement. Reducing fuel and tire use lowers the generation of greenhouse gasses. more... Category: Environmentalism (general) Studies of the California Current have recorded an increase in the occurrence of dead zones, free of oxygen off the coasts of Washington and Oregon. more... Heavy Snow and Furnace Trouble: Air Intake Blockages Can Mean Problems for Your Heating System Category: Energy Conservation Heavy snowfall can cause many problems for homeowners. One of them is a locked furnace air intake pipe that can shut-down the heat or increase energy costs more... Boating Infrastructure Grants: BIG Program Funds Construction of Docks and Marine Facilities Category: Boating & Sailing (general) The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program was first authorized in 1998 and has made more than $32 million available to States for qualified boating facility projects. more... National Security Cutter Bertholf: First of a New Class of Large Coast Guard Cutters is Launched Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Bertholf, the first National Security Cutter of the new Legend Class has been launched and promises increased performance and improved technology for the Coast Guard. more... Autotether and Falls Overboard: A Multifunction Wireless Lanyard and Alarm System Enters the Market Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance Autotether is a new boating safety device that uses wireless lanyards and host receiver to sound an alarm and shut down the engine after a fall overboard. more... Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Recreational boating makes a significant contribution to the national economy of Canada with a total economic impact of $26.8 billion and 373,600 jobs more... Category: Weather Forecasting Unmanned aircraft systems offer scientific researchers a new way to gather important data that does not put aircraft crews at risk more... Category: Weather Forecasting NOAA and USGS demonstrate an early warning system for flash floods and debris flow events and offers safety suggestion for residents living near burned areas more... Satellites Save 353 People in 2007: NOAA SARSAT Satellite System Credited With Numerous Rescues Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Search and rescue satellites are credited with helping save 353 people facing dire emergencies across the United States and it surrounding waters in 2007 more... The Unintended Catch of Seabirds: New Methods to Help Fishermen Avoid Snaring Endangered Sea Birds Category: Boating & Sailing (general) International commissions recognize the impacts of longline fishing practices to endangered seabirds and are taking steps to improve fishing gear and techniques. more... Category: Waste Reduction Americans waste a shocking amount of water everyday. Water conservation not only helps to preserve a scarce resource, conserving water saves energy more... The Greenwashing of North America: Study Finds Product Environmental Claims Often Mislead Consumers Category: Environmentalism (general) Manufacturers of consumer products often claim misleading environment benefits to better sale their wares to environmentally concerned customers more... Winter Energy Efficiency Tips: Positive Steps That You Can Take Now to Reduce Heating Costs Category: Energy Conservation The price of energy is at all time highs and improving efficiency is more important than ever to homeowners this winter more... Fishing King or Chinook Salmon: Largest of the Pacific Salmon: Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha Category: Boating & Sailing (general) The largest of all the Pacific species, King or Chinook salmon are excellent fare and offer a remarkable experience for all types of anglers. more... Sunspot is Sign of New Solar Cycle: NOAA Warns of Increasing Risk to Electrical Systems Category: Weather Forecasting NOAA space weather forecasters have observed the first sunspot of Solar Cycle 24. Solar storms can adversely affect power, radio communication and navigation systems more... Category: Energy Conservation Adding more insulation to the right places can dramatically reduce home heating bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. more... Nautical Publications for Boaters: Printed Information for Planning and Conducting Your Next Voyage Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Government agencies provide a number of publications useful for navigating safety in foreign and United States waters. Many are available online or at nominal cost. more... Reduce Boat Fuel Waste: Decrease Your Trips to the Marina Fueling Dock Category: Green/Clean Boating Tips to reduce your boat's fuel use and lower the trips made to the fueling dock. Reducing fuel waste is an important part of clean boating and saves money more... Local Winds of Interest to Boaters: Regional Marine Breezes Often Have Distinctive Names and Origins Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Local breezes and wind can be generated by factors that include topography and solar heating. Being familiar with local wind behavior is important to boating safety. more... NOAA's Green Ship Initiative: Great Lakes Research Vessels Operate on Vegetable Based Products Category: Green/Clean Boating The Green Ship Initiative is an effort to show technology used by existing work boats can be adapted to use cleaner and safer vegetable based fuel and oils. more... NOAA Weather Radio (NWR): All Hazards Information Broadcast Directly to Home or Office Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Purchase and use of a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards receiver can provide an early warning of hazards like natural disasters and environmental emergencies. more... Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Tour operators and fishermen are concerned with wild Pacific salmon stocks in British Columbia. Pink Salmon are being threatened by sea lice associated with fish farms. more... Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association has released an informative video on how to control flooding onboard boats. Material presented is suitable for all boaters. more... Keep Our Waterfronts Working Act: H.R. 3223 Waterfront Access Bill Seeks Congressional Co-Sponsors Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Commercial development threatens boater access to the waterfront. The Keep Our Waterfront Working Act is an effort to address this problem. more... California Coastal EPIRB Rescue: SARSAT Technology Makes a Critical Contribution in SAR Mission Save Category: Boat Safety & Maintenance Sailors embarking on the voyage of a lifetime discover the benefits of carrying and using an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) during a vessel capsize more... Category: Green/Clean Boating The National Marine Sanctuary Program has launched a national ocean awareness campaign featuring "Sanctuary Sam", a California sea lion as their program representative more... Training for Oil Spill Volunteers: Volunteer Responder Opportunities Depend on Proper Certification Category: Pollution Control If you are interested in being able to respond to oil spill cleanup efforts as a volunteer, consider taking a hazardous waste operations and emergency response course. more... Category: Energy Conservation Light emitting diode (LED) technology offers new energy saving solutions for general illumination tasks, especially in commercial applications. more... International Coastal Cleanup Day: Ocean Conservancy's Annual Effort to Reduce Marine Debris Category: Green/Clean Boating Join the Ocean Conservancy in their annual International Coastal Cleanup and do something positive to reduce marine debris. more... Marine Debris 101 for Boaters: NOAA Embarks on Educational Effort to Reduce Pollution Category: Green/Clean Boating Marine debris poses a danger to the ocean and coastal environment. Boaters can learn more about reducing maritime pollution at the NOAA Marine Debris 101 website more... Category: Reforestation Using a real tree for Christmas may be more environmentally friendly than you thought. The Ontario Forestry Association encourages you to try one this holiday season more... Winter Fishing Tips from BoatU.S.: Hints to Help Ensure Safety and Catch Fish in Cold Weather Category: Boating & Sailing (general) A few hints for better winter fishing and boating safety in cold water from BoatU.S. Anglers. more... Boat Propeller Basics: Essential Prop Design Considerations for Boaters Category: Motor Boats Diameter, pitch and blade count are important design considerations used in selection of the best propeller for your boat. more... US Coast Guard Auxiliary: Busier and More Relevant Than Ever Before Category: Boating & Sailing (general) The Coast Guard Auxiliary has a greater role in assisting the Coast Guard with nontraditional missions like marine security and domain awareness. more... Old Boat Syndrome: Owning an Older Vessel Requires Extra Attention to its Condition Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Old Boat Syndrome describes hazards found in older boats due the ravages of time combined with routine wear and tear. A little attention to the boat will improve safety. more... An Ethical Code for Kayakers: Paddling Ethics for Kayaking Category: Paddle Boats Take time to consider your effect on the environment while kayaking and develop your own personal code of paddling ethics. more... Loss of Louisiana's Marine Habitat: Marsh Mission - Capturing the Vanishing Wetlands Category: Ecosystem Preservation Take a journey through the coastal wetlands of Louisiana with Photographer CC Lockwood and Painter Rhea Gary as they document the loss of marine and estuarine habitat more... Coast Guard Makes a Million Saves: A Remarkable 1,109,310 Lives Saved By the Service Since 1790 Category: Boating & Sailing (general) The United States Coast Guard has reached a remarkable public service milestone. The service has rescued more than one million people since it's inception in 1790. more... Fatal Falls Overboard: Can We Learn From Commercial Fishing Vessel Accidents in Alaska? Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Recreational boaters can learn important safety lessons from a study recently published concerning fatal falls overboard in the commercial fishing industry. more... Six Common Boat Winterizing Errors: Tips from BoatU.S. on How to Avoid Expensive Mistakes Category: Boating & Sailing (general) The Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.) releases the six most common winterizing mistakes made by boaters based on insurance claims history. more... Community Based Research Methods: Determining Public Needs and Priorities in Proposed Projects Category: Business Project Management Culturally appropriate research is vital to the success of any proposed project. There are ways to ensure the needs and priorities of a community are well thought-out. more... Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Direction finding equipment developed by Rockwell Collins will make detection and tracking of emergency radio signals more reliable for Coast Guard rescuers. more... Office of Coast Survey Chart No. 1: Nautical Chart Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Chart No. 1 is great reference and tool for learning to read a nautical chart. The publication is available as a free download from the Office of Coastal Survey. more... Boating Safety for Hunters: General Guidelines for Safe Hunting From a Boat Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Many hunters use small craft to reach their favorite hunting spots. Hunting safety includes respecting basic boating safety principals. more... An Interview with John Kimantas: The Author of the Wild Coast 3 on Paddling Vancouver Island Category: Paddle Boats Share the experiences of John Kimantas, author of the Wild Coast series of paddling guidebooks for British Columbia, on paddle trips to the shores of Vancouver Island more... John Kimantas' The Wild Coast 3: Exploring East Vancouver Island and Southern British Columbia Category: Paddle Boats John Kimantas' kayaking, hiking, and recreation guide for British Columbia's South Coast and East Vancouver Island. more... Glossary of Invasive Species Terms: Commonly Used Phrases Related to Aquatic Nuisance Organisms Category: Green/Clean Boating A glossary of commonly used terms and phrase related to invasive and aquatic nuisance species more... Zebra Mussels: An Aquatic Invasive Species of Concern to Boaters Category: Green/Clean Boating Invasive species cause millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure and are a major factor in the extinction of native species. Boaters can help slow their spread. more... Common Types of Boat Anchors: Choosing the Correct Style Based on Conditions of Use Category: Boating & Sailing (general) There are many types or styles of anchors available for use by recreational boaters. Pick the one best suited to your boating activities. more... Top Ten Tips for Safe PWC Use: BoatU.S. Releases Hints for Improving Personal Watercraft Safety Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Ten ways to operate your personal watercraft (PWC) more safely from BoatU.S. more... Determining the Risk of Collision: COLREGS Actions Critical to Stand-On or Give-Way Boats Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Knowing how to avoid a collision is a basic boating skill that is easy to learn. This skill begins with an understanding of the danger zone on a boat. more... Marine Jet Boat Drives: An Alternative Propulsion System for Your Boat Category: Motor Boats Water jet drives offer a viable propulsion option for many boaters. Jet boats offer safety, performance and environmental benefits. more... Parts of a Canoe Paddle: Terminology, Size and Selection of Paddles Category: Paddle Boats Learning about proper terminology, sizing and styles of paddles available will make paddle selection decisions for canoeists easier. more... Make Your Canoe Easier to Rescue: Equip It With Painters, End Loops and Extra Flotation Category: Paddle Boats Adding painter lines, end loops, and extra flotation will make your canoe easier to retrieve in the event of a capsize or spill. more... The Alaska Wilderness Guide: Visitor and Marine Attractions Found in the Great Land Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Marine recreational enthusiasts and visitors to the Alaska waterfront will find the Alaska Wilderness Guide a valuable and useful guide to the Great Land. more... Unraveling Whale Entanglements: Disentanglement Teams Rescue Marine Mammals From Ocean Debris Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Disentanglement teams work in partnership with agencies like the Coast Guard to free marine mammals like whales that become entangled in debris and old fishing gear more... NWS Marine Radiofax Service: Weather Products Via HF Fax, Marine Radiofacsimile or Weatherfax Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Marine Radiofax is a service provided by the Coast Guard and National Weather Service to broadcast weather charts and forecast information to vessels at sea. more... Clean Boating Resource Basics: Green Tips for Free at Alaska Seas & Coasts, Volume Number 4 - 2007 Category: Green/Clean Boating Learn the basics of clean, safe and eco-friendly best boat practices in free PDF and book, from the Alaska Marine Advisory Program. more... Hurricane Guide for Mariners: Understanding These Weather Furies of the Atlantic Basin Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Understanding hurricanes and tropical cyclones is important to boaters on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and this knowledge will contribute to boating safety more... Low-Head Dam Hydraulics and Safety: Drowning Machines Powered by Strong Recirculating Currents Category: Paddle Boats Low-head dams are a particularly dangerous river feature that padders need to avoid. Hydraulic currents caused by these structures are perilous to boaters and swimmers. more... Marine Batteries Onboard: Lead Acid Storage Battery Load Management Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Using load management strategies will prevent inadvertent discharge of your starting battery and a long wait to return home. more... Flying with Self-Inflating PFDs: Uncertain Limits Remain with Carriage of Life Jacket CO2 Cylinders Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Self-inflating life jackets are important safety gear that should always be at hand. Carrying PFDs with CO2 cylinders onboard aircraft can create problems for boaters. more... Nonpoint Source Pollution: Environmental Effects of Marinas and Boating Activities Category: Green/Clean Boating Nonpoint source pollution from marinas and boating can negatively effect the environment if adequate management steps are not taken to control it. more... Paddling Risk Management: A Chain of Known Sequential Factors Cause Boating Accidents Category: Paddle Boats Boating accidents are the final product of multiple factors contributing to the final event. Risk management looks to break the chain of events. more... NOAA Boating Safety Tools: Using New Technology for Safer Vessel Navigation Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Recreational vessels often operate without the tools they need to navigate safely. NOAA has developed new technologies to alleviate this problem. more... Lightning Safety for Mariners: Safety Tips for Boat Operations Near Thunderstorms Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Lightning causes more injury and death than tornadoes in the United States and mariners have significant risk of being struck by lightning. more... Throw Rope Bag: A Vital Swiftwater Rescue Device Category: Paddle Boats A throw rope bag is an important water rescue device that can put a line quickly on a person in the water or to unpin a boat. more... Investing in British Waterways: Marina Development Opportunities in England and Wales Category: Boating & Sailing (general) British Waterways is looking to develop public private partnerships for construction of much needed marina infrastructure in England and Wales more... Today's Marine Fuel Choices: New Options Challenge Boat Engine Operation and Maintenance Category: Motor Boats New fuels are being introduced into the marine marketplace that are changing the way boaters operate their vessels. Increased operator knowledge can ease the transition. more... The Compleat Kayaker's Gear List: Hypothermia Prevention, Swift Water Rescue and Safety Equipment Category: Paddle Boats Training and good gear can make all the difference in having a safe and enjoyable kayaking trip. Get your gear on at Suite101. more... Backing a Boat Trailer: Making It Safely Down the Launch Ramp on the First Try Category: Boating & Sailing (general) Backing a boat trailer down a steep launch ramp can be a painless experience with a little preparation and adequate practice. more... Reading the River: A Guide to Common Waterway Hazards for Boaters Category: Paddle Boats Learning to read the water is a valuable skill for boaters running fast moving rivers and waterways. Here are some commonly seen water hazard |