S pring can be a mixed bag for many of our readers, for those in the northern latitudes who are looking forward to boating again, it’s also time to prepare your annual tax returns. Even if you’re civic minded, it’s easy to ask yourself exactly what do I get from all this money I pay the government? It just so happens boaters get more than the average citizen. Federal, state and local governments use a portion of the money they collect in taxes each year to support your favorite pastime. Actually, a surprising amount of money is spent annually to make boating safer and more enjoyable. Keeping You Safely on Course Let’s begin with one of the most important yet least appreciated govern- ment agencies: the U. S. Coast Guard. I don’t mean just in the comfort we get knowing they’re there to save our bacon when we get in over our head. Can you imagine what it would be like to boat without navigation aids? No markers to tell if you’re in the channel or about to run aground? Put a price on the haul-out and repair from tearing up props and rudders, and you can already see tax dollars going back into your pocket. You can thank the men and women of the Coast Guard for being out in all kinds of weather making sure our route is clearly marked.
Keeping the marked channels dredged is a combined effort with funds provided by federal, state and local governments. Boaters regularly navigating the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), may not think enough is spent on dredging and maintaining it, and they might be correct, but we can be thankful the Coast Guard does a good job of keeping the markers moved to identify where deeper water runs through trouble spots. Watching the Weather for You Your favorite navigation app or chart plotter couldn’t work without the information National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides for embedded charts. If you still use paper charts, you’re equally dependent on NOAA for those as well. NOAA also operates the National Weather Service. Can you imagine going boating without accurate weather forecasts? How about planning a day of fishing and not being able to predict what the wind and waves will be? Staying safe on the water involves staying in touch with help and services on shore, as well as other boaters around you. The Coast Guard and NOAA made this easier with advanced features in VHF radio
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SPRING 2022
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