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Greetings From the Marina Office!
 Hello Shelter Cove mariners and welcome to the May 2010 marina newsletter.
With May starts the season of really terrific boating, parties, and spring and summer holidays.
In light of that, we've dedicated a good portion of this month's newsletter to safety information that most of you know about, but which might be useful to share with your non-boating guests (or even some of your regular crew).
We'd also like to welcome aboard two new BlueSkyNews.com authors this month - Kells Christian and Captain Debra Marks. We know you'll enjoy their contributions.
Enjoy this fantastic boating weather, and we'll see you at the marina.
Yours Truly,
Shaun McMahon - Marina Manager
info@sheltercovemarina
Gator By The Bay
 San Diego's 9th Gator By The Bay, 2010 will be held at Spanish Landing Park.
The Zydeco & Blues Festival brings the heart and soul of the Louisiana bayou to San Diego over Mother's Day weekend, May 7, 8 & 9, 2010. Friday's "Gator At Night" is a new addition to the festivities and will feature a "Blues Supper Club" atmosphere around the Bourbon Street stage.
Top Zydeco and Blues bands fill the schedule. The festival is suitable for all ages. General Admission tickets are $20 on Friday; $25 on Saturday and Sunday; Children 17 and under free. For more information, click here
From the Poop Deck - Protect Your Pooch From Those Hot Summer Docks
 Did you know that in the hot summer sun, the temperature on your dock can reach 130 degrees?
Dexter is saying "please go get a dock cart and give me a ride to the boat!" I'd like to see you walk on all fours on the hot docks with sensitive pads on your feet like I have.
Don't make me come over there and pee on your ankle!
Rafting Up - Ahhhhh! Life is Good!
- By Jay Bernstein
Planning a raft up in a remote picturesque location is a great way to unwind far from the stresses of day to day life.
What may surprise you is that there are three such locations right here in San Diego that are perfect for rafting up.
There is something magical about swinging around on the hook with your friends that makes the experience not unlike being hundreds of miles away. This is also an excellent way to make boating fun for a significant other who doesn't like the rough seas occasionally found on the way to Catalina.
Recently I planned and participated in such a fun raft up and have a few tips about preparation, location, and boat handling to pass along.
Captain - Where are You? What's Your Position?
- By Richard Benscoter
 My wife and I were on our way sailing to Catalina Island, and as is our usual practice, our departure from our San Diego slip was at 4:30 a.m.
If everything worked out as planned - course, speed, wind, etc., we would reach Avalon in time to have a cocktail as the sun was sinking below the mountains.
As the sky lightened with the sunrise, the visibility remained about three to five miles in haze. As the day wore on, the haze remained as we motored toward Avalon.
About 10:00 a.m. we listened as a 38 foot power boat called the Coast Guard on Channel 16 requesting assistance. Their engines had quit on their way to Avalon from Oceanside Harbor, and they were drifting.
The Coast Guard requested their position. After some hesitation, the captain informed the Coast Guard he did not know his position as his GPS was not functioning either. The Coast Guard asked his last known position, and the captain sheepishly replied "leaving Oceanside harbor sir".
The captain was then asked by the Coast Guard to describe his vessel. After he gave his description, a power vessel informed the Coast Guard that they had seen a vessel fitting the description some forty minutes previously, and gave an approximate location. Another vessel also reported a sighting and approximate location.
The Coast Guard asked if any other vessels had sighted the distressed vessel to let them know and to keep a sharp eye out and report any sightings.
With the two positions given by the passing vessels, Vessel Assist proceeded to the general area and sometime later found the distressed vessel and took it in tow.
After this radio adventure my first thought was that the captain was a little short sighted. Did he not have a chart onboard? Did he not know how to use the age old art of dead reckoning navigation to know his position? Or at least, didn't he write his position down every so often at a given time interval from the GPS? Or was I just behind the times?
The truth is that technology will make many such "old fashioned" things seem obsolete, but when the power goes off or technology fails, the fall-back position on the water will always be a chart, compass and watch.
If you take a little time to learn the process, these items will get you to where you are going and add another tool to your boating skills tool box. You always should have a plan B when all else fails - to get you back to that safe harbor.
Assess your skills. Could you answer the Coast Guard's Question - "Captain - Where Are You? What's Your Position?" if your GPS failed?
See you on the water
 Editor's Note: Richard Benscoter is a long time avid sailor. He's a member of the Silver Gate Yacht Club and owner of the Mariners Woodshop. If you have a sailing question for Richard, send e-mail to richard@BlueSkyNews.com.
Desktop Photo of the Month - Catalina From Above
 It's easy and fun to change the photo on your PC desktop every once in a while.
Put this spectacular top down view of Catalina on your desktop, and let Spring fever seize the day.
Is that an empty mooring ball I see?
To put this or one of our other free photos on your PC desktop, Click Here.
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S.O.S. From the Galley
- By Monica Giobbi
With the advent of the good weather, we thought it was a good time to break out our famous recipe for "BlueSkyNews Bruschetta".
 Next time you're invited to one of those "bring your favorite dish" dock parties or entertaining on your boat, instead of running to the market for something blah, try making this tasty recipe for Italian Bruschetta (pronounced brus'ket'ta) and get ready for the accolades
Drain the can of stewed tomatoes. Chop tomatoes into small chunks. Finely mince red onion and garlic cloves. Put the whole shebang in a mixing bowl; combine olive oil, onion, garlic and tomatoes. Set mixture aside (ideally, if you have the time, letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight will add a zing to the flavor).
Slice baguette into ¾" slices, and toast bread slices until lightly browned. Cut the remaining clove of garlic in half, and rub generously on toast slices. Top with a hearty spoonful of tomato mixture and garnish with chopped artichoke hearts and thinly sliced fresh basil. Makes 8 servings
Buon Appetito!
 Monica is co-owner of BlueSkyNews.com, a professional meeting planner, and an avid cook with years of experience entertaining on board using the limited space of the galley. If you have a favorite boating recipe to share or ideas for future articles, send an e-mail to monica@blueskynews.com.
Some Facts of Life About Falling Into the Water From Your Boat or the Docks
- By Captain Debra Marks
 Falling off the dock or while boarding or disembarking a boat are much more common than most people realize.
Drinking doesn't necessarily have to be involved, although often it is, even if only one or two drinks.
Most people are too embarrassed to broadcast their "clumsy fall into the water" last weekend, and unless a serious injury or death occurs, there is no record of the incident.
It often happens in the dark when people can't easily detect the hazards of their surroundings. The problem is compounded at night, when if alone, no one can help, as no one is aware of the fall into the water.
About Carbon Monoxide - The Leading Cause of Accidental Poisoning Deaths in America
- By Kells Christian
 According the Journal of the American Medical Association, boaters are only a small percentage of these deaths, but much remains to be done to reduce the approximately 1,500 deaths (and 10,000 people seeking medical attention) per year in the U.S.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, toxic gas produced during the incomplete combustion of fuel, including gasoline, diesel, propane, CNG, charcoal, kerosene, wood, etc.
Coast Guard Auxiliary Tip of the Month - Registration and Documentation of Your Vessel
- By Bob Simons
 When doing Courtesy Vessel Safety Checks, your Coast Guard Auxiliary will want to see your current original State Registration, or the current Documentation Papers of the boat.
We use these documents to determine the ownership, size, power and the vessel identification number.
Registration or Documentation papers must be on board and available. Documentation numbers must be permanently marked on a visible part of the interior structure.
The documented boat's name and hailing port must be displayed on the exterior hull in letters not less than 4 inches in height. To be documented a boat must be 5 net tons or greater (usually above 27' TO 30').
If these are not carried on your boat and you get into a difficult situation, you would have a devil of a time proving you are not on a stolen boat. Having this information in the car or at home is just not an excuse.
There is sometimes a lot of confusion about whether to Register a boat or whether to Document your boat. As a huge simplification, Federal Documentation is a good way to go if you are going to be cruising in foreign waters, because some countries do not recognize State Registration.
On larger vessels it can also be of benefit in re-financing because of the availability of the history of the boat; or in the sale, in order to avoid any possible hidden leans against the boat. There used to be some tax advantages but the States all closed that loophole.
While not a direct "Safety" item, the registration or documentation does show what types of safety items are required on your size vessel. For instance any vessel over 12 meters (about 39.4 feet) is required to have a Vessel Trash Plan* in writing and on board, and a current copy of the Navigation Rules.
If you would like to have your vessel checked please contact Bob or Dianna at 619-743-3095 and we will be glad to set up an appointment.
 Editor's Note: Bob Simons has been in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for thirty years and owns a small sailboat as well as a small powerboat. He teaches classes in Boating Safety & Seamanship as well as Basic and Advanced Coastal Navigation. You can send an e-mail to Bob at bobsimons@BlueSkyNews.com.
Miss Yellowtail Derby 2010 Selected
 Last September the International Yellowtail Derby was resurrected at the urging of the San Diego Unified Port District after a 36 year hiatus.
Now getting ready for an encore in 2010, and in keeping with a cherished tradition, the first Miss Yellowtail Derby since 1973 was selected this month by the Yellowtail Derby Queen committee, chaired by Louis Almeida.
Tiera Hanes of San Diego was selected to represent the International Yellowtail Derby for the 2010 event.
Ms. Hanes is an active angler and a member of the San Diego Anglers fishing club. She has grown up fishing with her father David Hanes, who is the president of the San Diego Anglers for 2010 & 2011.
"Tiera knows the difference between a yellowfin tuna and a yellowtail, and has landed both", Almeida said. "So she is an ideal choice to receive the title".
Tiera will represent the Yellowtail Derby at fishing events, fishing club events, contests, during the 2010 Derby which will run from September 4th through September 26th with a fish-off on Sept 25 for the top anglers. For more information about the Derby, Click Here.
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