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Lots of neat shops in Poulsbo. |
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Locally grown fresh produce at the Olympia Farmers Market. |
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Cleaning salmon at Lagoon Cove Marina. |
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A bird rests for a moment on Surprise's rail. Blind Channel. |
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GENERAL UPDATES
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Tall Ships Coming to Northwest
April 9, 2008. The Tall Ships, including the U.S. Coast Guard training ship Eagle, the Lady Washington, the Canadian Navy’s Oriole, the reconstruction of Columbus’s Niña, the reconstruction of Capt. Bligh’s Bounty, and many more are coming to the Northwest this summer. Here are the dates, destinations, and web sites:
June 25-29 Victoria www.tallshipsvictoria.ca
July 3-7 Tacoma www.tallshipstacoma.com
July 10-12 Port Alberni www.portalbernitallships.ca
For overall information about the tall ships, see www.tallships.sailtraining.org.
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Weather Information by Cell Phone
March 24, 2008. I was reviewing the advice on crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca and found it to be very helpful. I would like to add my own tip for those who have one of the newer cell phones that surfs the Net. You can add the specific NOAA pages to your favorites and pull up the information you need without going through the endless weather loop on the radio. Most pages load quickly, especially the local forecasts. The station data can take longer due to the graphics – but still just a minute or two. Try http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=sisw1 for Smith Island.
I also have several marine web cams stored for a real time look at the weather.
Kevin Dowling
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And You Thought the Ballard Locks Were Interesting
March 14, 2008. Tom Taylor, from Greenway Sound Marine Resort, sent this (1.2 meg ) to us, and it’s amazing.
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Canada Small Craft Warning Change to Strong Wind Warning
February 26, 2008. Please take note of the attached general notice issued by Environment Canada on February 4th:
EFFECTIVE MARCH 19 2008, AT 1700 UTC, THE MARINE FORECASTING PROGRAM OF ENVIRONMENT CANADA WILL ALERT MARINERS TO WIND
CONDITIONS BETWEEN 20 AND 33 KNOTS USING THE TERM: STRONG WIND WARNING.
THIS REPLACES THE TERM -SMALL CRAFT WARNING-, USED DURING THE PREVIOUS RECREATIONAL BOATING SEASON, IN THE FOLLOWING BULLETINS:
REGULAR MARINE FORECASTS, MARINE WARNINGS AND THE MARINE SYNOPSIS.
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Jeppesen Marine Chart Problems, Fixes
December 27, 2007. Here's the announcement, as it came from Jeppesen Marine.
December 26, 2007
ATTN: Jeppesen Marine Product Customers
RE: LIGHT MARINE DIVISION -- JEPPESEN MARINE CUSTOMER BULLETIN Arising from increased quality assurance programs, Jeppesen Marine has identified chart data rendering issues related to defects in both the code base of our navigation software and the encoding of our chart data.
As a result of these defects, some chart information (including, but not limited to buoys, markers, contours, underwater obstructions, etc.) may not display correctly, or at all, on navigation screens.
Although these defects date back some years and no cases or related incidents have ever been reported by customers, we believe they could represent a potential hazard if navigators are misusing affected products by relying solely on them for primary navigation, instead of placing primary reliance on up-to-date official government charts. As a result, Jeppesen Marine is compelled to advise you of this issue, especially as it affects products using our technology and digital charts.
Regarding resolution of this issue, Jeppesen Marine is dedicated to provide patches to the affected navigation software, as well as corrected, up-to-date versions of our Passport chart products. These will be supplied to all affected customers free-of-charge. Both the software and data patches are now ready for distribution.
Shepard Tucker
Sr. Manager, Sales & Marketing
Jeppesen Light Marine – North America
Affected Products
Certain Nobeltec Passport chart features (including but not limited to buoys, markers, contours, underwater obstructions, etc.) may not display correctly, or at all, when used in conjunction with certain Nobeltec navigation software packages and OEM plotter solutions.
The following Nobeltec navigation software and OEM solutions are affected by this defect, when used in conjunction with listed Passport chart versions:
Nobeltec
VNS
7.x
Versions 30, 31, 32, and 34
Nobeltec
Admiral
7.x
Nobeltec
VNS
8.x
Nobeltec
Admiral
8.x
Nobeltec
VNS
9.x
Nobeltec
Admiral
9.x
OEM - Northstar
972
All versions
Affected Chart Regions:
AU0020L
AU0021S
AU0022S
AU0030L
AU0031S
AU0032S
AU0090L
AU0091S
BS0010L
CA0150L
CAR0010L
CAR0100L
CO0010L
CO0011S
CU0010L
CU0012S
CU0020L
DO0011S
GR0010L
GR0011S
GR0021S
GR0030L
MX0030L
PA0010L
PA0011S
PA0020L
SAM0020L
US0050
US0080L
ZR00
ZR03
ZR06
ZR07
ZR08
ZR101
ZR901
ZR902
ZR903
ZR904
ZR905
ZR912
ZR914
Description of Defect and Hazard Represented When affected navigation software and OEM solutions products are used in conjunction with affected Passport charting products certain chart features may not always and/or may not correctly display on the navigation system screen.
Missing and/or incorrectly displayed information may represent a hazard IF navigators are misusing affected products by relying solely on them for primary navigation, instead of placing primary reliance on up-to-date official government charts.
Correction of Defect
Available now online, Jeppesen Marine will supply free-of-charge:
Corrected and updated versions of affected charting products to current users of the affected Passport Chart Versions (“Current users” include holders of the following Passport charting product versions: Version 30, 31, 32 and 34.)
Downloadable software patches for all affected versions of Nobeltec navigation software and OEM solutions will be provided to all users of those software products.
These patches contain:
- Corrections to some of the color contrasts within the night mode to allow for better visibility of the chart objects.
- Critical fixes to the Admiral and VNS Product baseline to fix chart rendering issues associated with safety of navigation. Certain Nobeltec Passport chart features (including, but not limited to, markers, contours, underwater obstructions, etc.) were not being displayed correctly, or at all, when used in conjunction with certain chart sets. This patch fixes these software issues and the newest charts (WF-37) will fix the associated data issues. Please visit http://www.nobeltec.com/support/ for information on qualifying for a free region update.
- Removal of the S-57 import functionality. With the application of the SW patch, S-57 importation will be disabled in Admiral and VNS products and S57 charts previously imported will be deleted, or rendered unavailable for display.
Jeppesen Marine has selected to disable S-57 importing and display in Admiral and VNS for safety related reasons. Unforeseeable inconsistencies in open S-57 data, regardless of its source, and over which Jeppesen Marine has no control, could be the source of additional rendering issues, which in turn could determine unacceptable safety hazard.
Jeppesen Marine offers a wide range of high quality vector chart products, and is available to assist all customers in procuring those most suited to their navigation needs.
Software patches for affected versions of OEM navigation software, will be provided to all users of those software products, in collaboration with OEMs themselves.
To obtain your product corrections: If you believe that you have an affected product, go to www.nobeltec.com/support/bulletin.htm. Here you can download the patch of the affected product and register to be notified as soon as updated Passport World Folio (WF37) data are available. All additional information is provided on the www.nobeltec.com/support website.
Additional Warning
Jeppesen Marine reminds navigators that nautical chart information – including information that may be critical to safety – is constantly changing.
Once changes have been detected and verified, National Hydrographic Authorities periodically publish updated information. As it is received, Jeppesen Marine incorporates the updated information into new charting products and/or updated versions of existing products. These are periodically made available to navigators.
Therefore, navigators should check how up-to-date their charting products are. If your charts are obsolete (I.e., you are not running on the current version of the charts and/or your charts are more than one year old), Jeppesen Marine strongly urges you to update them via Jeppesen Marine directly, or authorized resellers.
Please also remember that electronic charts are an aid to navigation designed to facilitate the use of authorized government charts, not to replace them. Only official government charts and Notices to Mariners contain all the information needed for safe navigation.
Contacts
To download patches and register for charts, go to: www.nobeltec.com/support/bulletin.htm
For support/services related to affected products:
Jeppesen Marine worldwide customer support
1-800-732-2800 Toll free in the U.S.
1-303-328-6983 Direct
+49 6102 50 8171 in Europe
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Two New Canadian Charts
October 23, 2007. The Canadian Hydrographic Service has released two new charts, 3479 Approaches to Sidney (1:20,000) and 3944, Princess Royal Channel (1:40,000).
Chart 3479 replaces the previous Chart 3476, Approaches to Tsehum Harbour. The new chart includes 1:8,000 insets of Tsehum Harbour, Iroquois Passage and John Passage, and the approaches to the Sidney waterfront.
Chart 3944 replaces the previous Chart 3739, Swanson Bay to Work Island, and includes a 1:6,000 inset of Butedale. The new chart is metric, and is drawn on the NAD 83 horizontal datum instead of the earlier chart’s 1927 datum.
The new charts are available at authorized CHS chart agents.
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Tidal Current Glitch?
April 20, 2007. We have not confirmed this problem ourselves, but the caution is worthwhile in any case.
Hello Bob,
A quick note about the malfunctioning tidal current displays on C-Map's PC Planner programs versions 10 and 11, for Puget Sound.
We purchased the C-Map product including their newest chip for Puget Sound and Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert. We discovered, and C-Map confirmed, that the tidal current information, as well as the tidal current predictor, on their PC Planner is not giving proper information.
It would be informative to your audience if you would kindly remind folks to use official tide charts and equally important, take time to verify all electronic tidal info by comparing several locations of tide stations and current stations on the electronic chart versus the data at those stations with data from official documentation (for example, slack, max flood, slack, max ebb, for 11 April 2007, The Narrows).
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Finger of the Gods
August 16, 2005. Longtime acquaintance/friend Arnold Hoffman has come up with a clever package to free fouled anchors. One of its main components is a device Arnold calls the "Finger of the Gods," which can make the difference between getting free and calling a diver. Go to Arnold's web site www.anchorsup.com and see for yourself.
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Washington State Joins Other States in Boater Education Requirement Phase-in Begins in 2008
May 13, 2005. Boater Safety Education Bill Signed by Governor Gregoire
OLYMPIA, WA, May 11, 2005 - Legislation that will require boat operators to take a boater safety education course in order to operate a boat in Washington State was signed into law by Washington Governor Christine Gregoire today. The legislation was developed by the Washington Alliance for Mandatory Boater Education (WAMBE) and was passed by both the Senate and House during the recent legislative session.
The law is patterned after similar legislation in Oregon and will require completion of a basic boating class, or passage of an equivalency exam, to obtain a Boater Education Card. The Boater Education Card will be required for operation of a boat with 15 horsepower or more.
"Up to now, 36 other states have had some sort of educational requirements for operating a boat, and now Washington is added to the list", commented Steve Greaves, Chairman of the WAMBE group. "The Card is not like a driver's license. It is obtained once and is good for life. The Card indicates that the boat operator has a basic level of boating safety knowledge, like a diploma."
Like the Oregon law, the Washington law will have a phased-in period for compliance starting in 2008. For example, boaters 30 years of age and younger will be required to obtain their Card by January 1, 2010. Boaters born before January 1, 1955 will be exempt.
For the many thousands of Washington boaters who have already received a certificate of completion from a Coast Guard Auxiliary or U. S. Power Squadron boating safety class (or similar class), they need only supply a copy of their certificate along with a $10 administrative fee to receive their lifetime Boater Education Card under the new law.
Operators without a Card may operate a boat provided they are under the supervision of an adult with a Card. Purchasers of new and used boats may operate their boats immediately and have 60 days after their purchase to obtain a Card. Cards issued by other states will be recognized in Washington and the Washington Card will be recognized in other states and Canada.
The Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission's Boating Safety Program will administer the provisions of the new law. The administration of the law is totally supported by the $10 Card user fee. The program is funded by boaters for boaters.
The WAMBE group was formed two years ago with the sole purpose being to develop and pass a bill concerning mandatory boater education in Washington. "With a majority of states already having mandatory boater education laws on the books, it was only a matter of time before it would come to Washington State," said Michael Campbell, President of the Northwest Marine Trade Association - one of the founding groups of the alliance. "We feel it's important to have a law that is fair to boaters, encourages safety on the water, and yet doesn't restrict access to boating."
WAMBE is comprised of representatives from a variety of boating-related organizations. The alliance includes representatives of the boating industry, representatives of recreational boating groups, as well as government, law enforcement, and marine safety groups. "We've tried to include representatives from all facets of the boating arena in WAMBE", commented David Kutz, Secretary of WAMBE and President of the Recreational Boating Association of Washington. "This has been a real team effort resulting in a sensible law that has broad support among boaters."
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Whale Caution From WDFW (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
May 4, 2005. Anglers and other boaters are advised to avoid disturbing orcas, gray whales. With six transient orcas feeding in Hood Canal and gray whales surfacing throughout Puget Sound, fish and wildlife officials are cautioning anglers and other boaters to give the animals a wide berth.
Despite their size and power, whales and other marine mammals are highly vulnerable to human disturbances, said Rocky Beach, wildlife diversity manager at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Guidelines developed by NMFS advise boaters to take the following precautions around whales and other marine mammals:
- Approach areas of known or suspected marine mammal activity with extreme caution.
- Reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 400 yards of the nearest whale or other marine mammal. Avoid abrupt course changes.
- Avoid approaching closer than 100 yards of any whale or other marine mammal.
- If a vessel is unexpectedly within 100 yards of a whale or other marine mammal, stop immediately and allow it to pass.
- Keep clear of a whale's path. Avoid positioning your vessel within the 400-yard area in front of the whales.
- Stay on the offshore side of whales when they are traveling close to shore.
- Limit viewing time to a recommended maximum of 30 minutes.
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Great Link for Weather Buoy Data
March 8, 2005. Waggoner reader George Johnson directed us to
www.ndbc.noaa.gov to get complete, near-real-time observations from weather buoys and land stations in B.C. and U.S. waters. The web site is easy to navigate and its information is extremely useful. With a few clicks you can get complete data on wind speed, wave height, air temperature, barometric pressure, and more. Scroll down for history. The site also has the latest U.S. National Weather Service marine forecasts.
In B.C. we found East Dellwood, South Brooks, La Perouse Bank, Sentry Shoal and Halibut Bank data. A weather buoy is shown for Pat Bay, but nothing was posted.
In Washington waters, we found Tatoosh Island, Neah Bay (actually, the Traffic Separation Lighted Buoy JA, at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca), Hein Bank, Smith Island and West Point. Other stations out in the Pacific Ocean and down the coast are shown, too.
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Complete Chart Update Information
July 28, 2003. A Notice to Mariners item about complete NOAA chart update information caught my eye, so I went to the web site to see for myself. Sure enough, every update (permanent updates, not temporary updates) for every U.S. chart is listed. You have to go through several screens to get the information, but it's all there.
The web site is
http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov//. When you get there, click on the "Updates" icon.
Many of the updates will be of little practical use to most pleasure boaters, but lurking in the list are important changes, such as buoys or beacons that have been moved or renumbered, newly reported shoals, or the removal of prominent landmarks ashore.
I found the section on historical charts interesting as well. I entered "Vancouver" as a key word, and found a list of Capt. Vancouver's charts of the Northwest Coast. The charts displayed rather small on my screen, but they were intriguing all the same.
--Robert Hale
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More About Cell Phones in Canada
May 19, 2003. One of out readers wrote to say a friend of his is using Iridium for communication during a trip up the B.C. coast and throughout Alaska. The friend says it works very well, if expensively. Back to cell phones, this note came in the other day.
Hi, Bob!
I've used a cell phone up to Cape Caution for two years now. Verizon is the only service that works well because it bought proprietory rights to Canada's Telus antenna sites, both analog and digital (many are analog sites and quality is more restricted). Verizon's technology is much superior to other services as of now. Friends use ATT and today you may find a few ATT phones talking to fish in the Broughtons! I get messages, and other "systems" work normally as if I were in the States. No need to reset anything...to my knowledge. I have same Single Rate National W/Canada. Amazing coverage. Enjoy the phone.
Steve Nybank
M/V "It's A Good Thing"
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Confusion About VHF Radio Licenses for U.S. Boats Cruising in Canada
May 17, 2000. There's been confusion about VHF radio license requirements for U.S. pleasure craft cruising in Canada. Here's the straight scoop on the situation:
For some time, the U.S. has not required pleasure craft under 20 meters (65 feet) to have station licenses or individual operator permits for travel in U.S. waters. For foreign travel, a station license is required for the vessel, and individual operator permits are required for the people.
Beginning in 2000, Canada exempted its pleasure craft under 20 meters (65 feet) from VHF radio station license requirements, and also removed individual operator requirements for those vessels, as long as the vessel is used in Canadian and U.S. waters only.
With neither country requiring VHF radio licensing for its pleasure craft under 20 meters, it was natural to assume that U.S. boats no longer needed station licenses for Canadian travel.
Unfortunately, the U.S. regulation requiring licensing for U.S. pleasure craft in foreign waters is still on the books. It's supposed to be revoked, at least for travel in Canada. But it hasn't been revoked - yet.
What about enforcement? The reality is that the U.S. Coast Guard does not check VHF radio licensing for U.S. pleasure craft, because in U.S. waters no licensing is required. Neither does the U.S. Coast Guard go into Canadian waters to enforce U.S. VHF radio licensing regulations. In Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard and RCMP have no interest in enforcing U.S. regulations.
So nobody is looking at, nor are they about to look at, this obscure regulation requiring U.S. boats and their people to be licensed if they cruise in Canada. Given these circumstances, what should the U.S. boater do? We'll leave the decision up to each individual.
We would not dream of suggesting that because an obscure regulation cannot be enforced it could safely be ignored.
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For more updates:
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• U.S. Customs Updates
• Canada Customs Updates
• General Updates
• Puget Sound & San Juan Islands
• Strait of Juan de Fuca and Strait of Georgia, including B.C.'s Gulf Islands
• Desolation Sound to top of Vancouver Island
• Central & Northern B.C. Coast
• West Coast of Vancouver Island
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