NYCkayaker PortSide NewYork Kayak Valet Event Red Hook Brooklyn

[Tim Gamble]

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to remind everyone about this event this weekend.

I am posting this for Carolina Salguero of PortSide NewYork. The Red Hook
Arts Festival will be going on all day at Valentino Pier as well.
http://www.dancetheatreetcetera.org/rhwaf.html

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

http://www.portsidenewyork.org/KayakValet.htm

2008 Kayak Valet - year 3:

PortSide offers NYC's only kayak valet service. Paddle to Valentino Park,

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/park_info_pages/park_info.php?propID=B418

Red Hook, and we watch your boats so you can visit the neighborhood.  Yes,
we are trying to get a boathouse installed in Valentino Park, but until
then, we're all there is for visiting boaters!

This year, we'll do it twice!  June 7, come see the Red Hook Arts Festival
1100-1900.  Second Kayak Valet will be in August or September.

June 7 (Rain Date June 8):
We're there 1100-1700.  Red Hook maps and tips will be provided with info
on where to eat, shop and see areas of local interest. (note IKEA opens
6/18, so don't think you're paddling home with furniture yet.)  Info on
safe boating (en inglés y español) will also be available.  We are working
on getting a group to demonstrate the proper use of VHF marine radios.

Practical Details:
Bring a photo ID so we can ID boat owners who have lost their ticket when
they pick up boats.

You can hail us that day on VHF channel 68 by calling “PortSide.” There
are Portosans this year!

High tide 1215 Tide info
<http://www.tidesonline.com/showtable.php?stationname=NewYork&IDNUM=421>
Interactive chart <http://www.boatersbox.com/html/nyharbor.htm>

Safety:

If you are coming from the north, the Buttermilk has some of the fastest
currents in the harbor. It is also a very busy commercial channel with
fast ferries, containerships, cruise ships, tugs and barges.  Their
captains are always concerned when they see recreational boaters as they
can’t be sure of the skill level of boaters like you. Please be
considerate and prudent and stay out of the channel.  Don’t cross in front
of large vessels at any distance less than a mile, and make any change of
course an obvious move so your intentions are clear.  You can hail them on
your VHF on Channel 13.

The large commercial vessels have more limited maneuverability than you as
they can’t move out of the narrow channel and they need up to a mile to
stop.  (See Rule #9 below).

If you are coming from the south, be careful crossing the entrance to the
Erie Basin.  Tugs and barges exit at speed and cannot stop. The Water Taxi
dock is active on weekends.  Just past this point are the submerged
remains of a pier extending out some 200 feet from the wharf where you can
see the Lehigh Valley 79 Museum Barge docked.  These rocks are submerged
most of the day, a small buoy marks the southern end of the remains.

Excerpts from Rule 9, Coast Guard Rules of the Road:
(b)     A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel
shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only
within a narrow channel or fairway.

 (d)     A vessel shall not cross a narrow passage or fairway if such
crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only
within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal
prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing
vessel.

Rules of the Road in full:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rotr_online.htm

Carolina Salguero
Director
PortSide NewYork
aboard the tanker "Mary Whalen"
P.O. Box 195
Red Hook Station
Brooklyn, NY 11231
cell 917.414.0565
www.portsidenewyork.org
carolina at portsidenewyork.org

---------------
Tim Gamble
917-721-8851






---------------
Tim Gamble
917-721-8851