July 3, 2014 
 
 
In this issue: 
 
- If you're planning to run a charter or guide trips this year, remember that the Coast Guard is currently taking 8-10 weeks to process license applications. License applications turned in today will likely have licenses issued by early to mid-September. Check out "Our Next Captain's License Classes" on the right to see if you can make one of our next classes. Custom schedules are also available. 
 
- This week the Captain's Corner features the Coast Guard's safety message for the 4th of July holiday.

- The Local Notice to Mariners link.
 
- Be sure to get a look at how our live online classes work! It's an easy and convenient way to get your Captain's License. See "Our Live Online Classes" at the bottom of this page.
 
We hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to your suggestions and feedback!

 

Lori and Rachel Cortez

CQuest Marine 

(510) 573-0641

 


Captain's Corner

The Ins and Outs of 
Running a Passenger Vessel

Coast Guard encourages safety
during July 4th holiday




ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Coast Guard reminds the public to be safe on and around the water during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

 

The days surrounding the Fourth of July holiday typically see a high number of boaters, divers, surfers, and beach-goers out on the water. In the past week, the Coast Guard responded to a wide range of cases in Northern California, including assisting three disabled vessels on Lake Tahoe, San Pablo Bay, and Monterey, two teenagers found near Bodega Bay in a kayak wearing no life jackets, and searching for a missing abalone diver near Elk, Calif.

 

The Coast Guard advises the public to take responsibility for their safety on the lakes and ocean. Everyone should be aware of, and obey, all federal and state regulations for recreational boating and navigation.

 

"We want everyone to enjoy their Fourth of July weekend, but most importantly we want them to be safe on the water" said Capt. Kelly Hatfield, 11th Coast Guard District chief of staff. "Boating accidents happen very suddenly and you don't have time to put on a life jacket. Everyone should prepare for the unexpected by wearing life jackets and ensuring they have proper survival and communications gear at the ready."

 

The Coast Guard offers the following safety tips:

 

Wear a life jacket

 

The law states you must have a life jacket for every person aboard, but the Coast Guard suggests you go one step further and wear it at all times when boating. It is much more difficult to locate access or don a life jacket at the moment an accident occurs. Historically, about 75 percent of the people who die in boating accidents drown. Of those who drown, about 80 percent were not wearing life jackets.

 

If you do find yourself in trouble and in the water, stay with your vessel for as long as possible, even if capsized. Do not try to swim for shore.

 

Click this link for more information about safe boating: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/

 

Safety Equipment

Based on the size and type of a vessel, there may be specific federal requirements for safety equipment.

 

Click on the following link to review the federal requirement brochure: http://www.uscgboating.org/fedreqs/default.html.

 

Do not boat under the influence   

    

Do not boat under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. These affect judgment, vision, balance and coordination. Factor in boat motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray and impairment is accelerated.

 

Always file a float plan

 

Always file a float plan. Before leaving, let someone know when you plan to leave, where you plan to go, which course you plan to take, and when you will arrive at your destination.

 

Click on the following link for more information about float plans: http://www.floatplancentral.org/download/USCGFloatPlan.pdf

 

Keep children informed of water safety

 

The Coast Guard encourages the boating public to educate children on water safety.  There are kid-friendly resources ready for the task!

 

Boating Safety Sidekicks: www.boatingsidekicks.com 

 

###

 

Date: Jul 1, 2014

11th District Public Affairs

Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart

Office: (510) 772-8865


 

Our Live Online Classes
A New Way to Get Your Captain's License! 
 
We have received an approval from the Coast Guard to conduct all of our Captain's License Classes in an online format. These are NOT the sit-by-yourself-in-front-of-the-computer classes that you may have seen elsewhere. These are live, online, face-to-face by webcam classes with an instructor and five students at a time on a secure platform. 
 
It's a new and convenient way to get your license:  
 
- Easy to fit into your schedule  
- All course materials will be mailed to you 
- No daily traffic hassles  
 
Find out more about our online classes here:

In This Issue
Quick Links
Like us on Facebook
Find us on Pinterest

 

Our Next Captain's License Classes
There are still a few seats left in each of these classes!

Start Dates:
July 7 Day Class
July 21 Evening Class
Aug 4 Day Class
Aug 18 Evening Class
 
 
Give us a call to reserve your seat!
510 573-0641
 
Check out our website for classes scheduled throughout the rest of the year.
 

The Local Notice 
to Mariners
Here is a link to the latest edition of the Local Notice to Mariners:
  

  

Of particular interest this week is:

  

- The first page of this week's LNM lists the abbreviations specific to the Local Notice to Mariners. It's a good resource to save for future reference.
 

  

Continuing from earlier entries in the LNM:
   
- Details regarding the testing of electronic aids to navigation in San Francisco Bay. 

  

If you don't have AIS (Automatic Identification System) on your boat yet, take a look for yourself here:

  

  

Zoom in on San Francisco Bay and you'll see pink diamond shapes like this one on Mile Rocks Light:
These represent the virtual ATONs. If you click on the diamond you'll see the name of the aid.

  

- Information regarding navigating in the area of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Demolition Safety Zone. See pages 13 and 14 for the description and check out the chart with the zone marked on page 26. It's a bit embarrassing for experienced and licensed mariners to get chased out of the area, especially with paying passengers on board!
 
You can subscribe and have the Local Notice to Mariners delivered by email each week: 
 

Get Your Captain's License - Follow Your Dream!


Copyright � 2014. All Rights Reserved.