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The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine - Your Guide to Boating Products, Ports, and Safe Adventure
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Your Guide to Boating Products, Ports, and Safe AdventureThe Great Lakes Mariner
P.26 ▶Easy Tips for Green Boating on the Great Lakes
Man-Overboard!Your ReactionCould Save a Life
Fresh Water System Care - Spring cleaning tips for your fresh water system!
April 2011
To the Reader:
The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine is similar in format to other magazines however there are a few differences that should be known to make your reading experience more enjoyable.
Above the magazine you will notice a “toolbar.” The toolbar has several features that can change the view of the magazine or allow you to print a page of the magazine if you choose. Also, if there is a section of the magazine that you are having difficulty reading simply hover your mouse over that section and “click,” this will enlarge that area. When you are done just click again and it automatically zooms back out.
Also take note that when you hover your mouse over some items it will say “link to www....” These items are linked to the website of either the product or service being showcased. If you click on any of these items your screen will automatically switch to your web browser and you will be taken to that website. This is done to allow our reader’s to get easy access to products or services that interest them and to provide value to our advertisers. When you are done switch back to the magazine and click on it again; it will open back up to where you left off.
It is our sincere goal to create a magazine that is both informative and enjoyable. If you have any ideas for the magazine or would like to contribute a photograph, story, or even your knowledge via an article please feel free to contact us under the reader’s comments section of our website at: www.thegreatlakesmariner.com.
Thank You,
Kevin Counts Editor and Publisher
The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine
Featured Articles:Spring Commissioning: Refreshing your freshwater system
Going Green in the Real World:Top Tips for Green B oating on the G reat L ake s
Man-Overboard:Your reaction could save a l ife . Are you prepared?
State by State: News From Around the Great Lakes
• Illinois - Pg. 29
• Indiana - Pg. 30
• Michigan - Pg. 31
• Minnesota - Pg. 32
• New York - Pg. 33
• Ohio - Pg. 34
• Pennsylvania - Pg. 35
• Wisconsin - Pg. 36
Darwin’s ExceptionsPg. 7
Mutt of the MonthPg. 4
Want money?Go To
www.thegreatlakesmariner.com
to find out how a few lucky subscribers get paid each issue
to read The Great Lakes Mariner
TheAdvertising deadline
for the next issue of The Great Lakes Mariner is
Friday, May 27, 2011.
The Great Lakes Mariner 3
The Great Lakes Classifieds - Pg.38
Pg. 10
Pg. 26
Pg. 20
Mutt of the Month
“The puddle was lake water I swear...Please don’t make me swim home”
Riley - Grosse Ile, MI
If you would like your pet to be considered for Mutt of the Month please
email a photo along with the pets name to:
[email protected](Please include the pet’s name and home port)
If your pet is chosen you’ll receive a “Great Lakes Mariner “ T-shirt
4
7
This experience come from your’s truly, Kevin Counts, Editor & Publisher of The Great Lakes Mariner (I’ve done lots of stupid things but I went above and beyond on this one!)
Once upon a time .........My cousin and I were in our late teens when we decided to take a trip to Florida. In a stroke of genius we decided that taking his 16’ foot open bow boat to do some ocean fishing while we were there would be fun. Since neither of us were overly experienced boaters and since we had no compass, ma-rine radio, flares, or any other safety gear we decided that we wouldn’t go out far-ther than about a half a mile or so (brilliant, I know). As the day progressed and as we got braver we of course went out farther than we had planned and at one point began throwing our bait overboard to see if we could see a shark. Needless to say not long after we started throwing cut up bait in the water we started seeing sharks.
Anyone who has been to Florida even a few times knows that it’s not unusual to have a thunderstorm brew up, even on those beautiful summer days. They usually come and go fairly quickly but they are pretty violent while they’re there; this day was no exception. When we noticed the storm coming in we decided it was time to head in so my cousin went over to fire up the boats motor and the silence was deafening. He tried several times but it just would’nt start. So now here we are in the Atlantic ocean, in a 16’ foot open bow boat that won’t start, surrounded by sharks, with a large thunderstorm approaching, and no way to call, or even signal for help. Things were looking pretty grim until my cousin’s backyard mechanic skills finally paid off and he managed to get the engine to roar to life (I still don’t know what he did. In fact I don’t think he knows what he did). As soon as she fired up we raced back to the inter-coastal. Entering the inter-coastal in a thunderstorm is not an easy task and required us to ride a wave in like we were on a surfboard but thankfully my cousin had natural Captain skills which made up for neither of us having any natural brain power. I learned several things from this experience, 1: Don’t ever go anywhere with-out safety gear, 2: If you make one mistake on the water it can easily be your last (we got away with about twenty), and 3: Sharks are scarier in person than I had thought.
At some point every boater does something that should have eliminated them from the gene pool. This is your chance to share your not so bright experiences and let the rest of
us act like we’ve never done anything so dumb!
Share your stories of bone-headed boating at [email protected] your story is chosen you’ll receive a “Great Lakes Mariner” T-shirt
Darwin’s Exceptions.......
The Great Lakes Mariner8
Got an idea that you would like to see in The Great Lakes Mariner? Let us know. Email us at
BoatUS Unveils a Smart Phone App
BoatUS recently announced the creation of its new Smart Phone applica-tion. The application, for both the Android and iPhone markets, is loaded with convenient features along with many others that can help the user stay safe. Oh yeah, did I mention that it’s free. Just complete a short reg-istration screen and you’re up and running. The app gives you your GPS coordinates (which could help you find that perfect fishing spot again), allows you to call for a tow at the touch of a button (and the BoatUS rep-resentative on the other end of the line knows who you are and where you are), allows you to file a claim right from your Smart Phone, and many many more features.
Go to: www.boatus.com/towing/app.asp for more information.
The Great Lakes Mariner 9
The Great Lakes Mariner wishes to thank the men and
women of the U.S. Coast Gaurd for putting their life on the line
to protect all of us.
You can take The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine with you anywhere with the ISSUU app. Simply download the app by searching ISSUU on the Android Marketplace or go to m.issuu.com on your mobile device’s browser and hit download. The app converts the magazine into a version that is easily navigable and readable. ISSUU is also working on an iPhone app however the iPhone store is not allowing free content at this time so we’ll keep you updated.
Get The Great Lakes Mariner on your Smart Phone or tablet PC with the ISSUU app
Spring CommissioningRefreshing Your Fresh-Water System
One complaint that I often hear from boaters is that their water tastes and or smells bad, In fact, many don’t use their onboard water systems,
choosing instead to carry bottled water or water jugs aboard. Spring com-mission is an excellent time to address these problems once and for all.
Water System problems manifest themselves in several ways. The first is aesthetically, where the water either looks bad, tastes bad, smells bad or any combination of the three. While not usually a health concern, it is not pleasant to use. On the other hand, the water could be contaminated with bacteria, cysts or chemi-cals, making it unsafe to drink and a possible health risk.
CausesMarine fresh water stems are often mistreated and ne-glected. Filled with fresh water in the spring, by summer the water tastes bad and is often full of sediment and other nasty things. Many water tanks are rationally molded plastic and are translucent. While not directly exposed to sunlight, the light they do receive promotes the growth of algae and slime. That growth isn’t limited to the tanks themselves, by the way. On one of my boats, the water lines, typical reinforced vinyl tubing, was
black inside from exposure to light and the resulting growth of algae. Simply cleaning the tanks won’t cure this problem. You do clean your tank periodically, don’t you?
While the source of your water might be a completely safe municipal supply, how it gets to your tank may be a problem. That hose lying on the dock is certainly suspect. I carry my own water fill hose and make sure that it is drained after each use. Since it is my hose, I am sure that it is approved for potable water use. I also
By Paul Esterle
Above: The typical rat’s nest of old plumbing under the galley sink. When was the last time you looked at it, let alone replaced anything?
Above: Before and after; the lower tube is an old water line, coated with slime and algae. The top one is what new tubing looks like.
The Great Lakes Mariner10 (Continued on Pg. 12)
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Refreshing Your Fresh-Water System
let the water run before starting to fill my tanks. That flushes the hose and gives me a chance to visually inspect the water. That only judges the aesthetics, not any potential health risks, however.
Another often overlooked site for water contamina-tion is the fill fitting itself. When was the last time you checked the O-ring on the fill cap to make sure it is sealing properly? Given the small cost of the O-ring, I replace mine on a regular basis. That keeps all the crud from your deck from draining into the tank.
Lastly, you will occasionally find the water source itself questionable, loaded with rust, sediment or nasty bugs. You will need to take special precautions if you doubt the quality of the water.
FixesThe first step in maintaining onboard water quality is maintaining the infrastructure. That in-cludes tanks, hoses, pumps, heaters and accumulators. Inspect them all for signs of algae, slime or other contamination. In my case, I ended up replacing all the vinyl water supply lines with new hose. Remember that red tracer in the hose is for hot water and blue is for cold.
The tanks must be completely flushed with fresh water, especially if the system had been winter-ized with RV and Marine antifreeze (the pink stuff). Remember to flush the water heater before you start the engine, it will take forever to get the taste of cooked antifreeze out of the water if you don’t.
If your tank has access plates, you’ll be able to open them up for cleaning and inspection. In my case, I ended up removing the tank from the boat and having it steam cleaned. In some cases that is impractical. One method for cleaning a dirty tank is to partially fill the tank with a mixture of ice cubes and water. You want just enough water to allow the ice to move inside the tank. Then rock the boat or better yet, take it out in some waves to slosh those cubes around the tank. The cubes will scrub the inside of the tank, and then melt so the resulting water and crud can be pumped out.
(Continued from Pg. 10)
Above: A leaking O-ring on your fresh-water tank can lead to a contaminated water supply system. Replace it often!
Right: I had the luxury of being able to remove my water tank for steam-cleaning. That dark hose is actually clear vinyl tubing after years of growth. It will be replaced like the lower hose was.
The Great Lakes Mariner12
(Continued on Pg. 13)
Right: I had the luxury of being able to remove my water tank for steam-cleaning. That dark hose is actually clear vinyl tubing after years of growth. It will be replaced like the lower hose was.
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(Continued from Pg. 12)
The cures mentioned so far are for worse case scenarios. If you have been maintaining your water system on a regular basis but still sometimes experience bad tasting water, it might be necessary to “shock” the water system. This process also sanitizes the water system if you suspect that there may be a health issue with the water also.
Shocking introduces a bleach solution into the water system. Bleach should be added at the rate of 8-ounces of bleach to every 10 gallons of water. This concentration is for sanitizing the system and is not for drinking! Pump the bleach/water solution through the entire system, making sure it flows from every outlet. Turn off the faucets and let the solution sit in the system for at least 8 hours but no longer than 24. This process is safe for aluminum tanks if done no more than once or twice a year.
Once the bleach solution has been in the lines, pumps, tanks and fittings for the prescribed time, flush the system completely, starting with the outlets farthest away from the pump.
Ongoing CareAll this activity assures good water quality for a short period of time. However, if your water sys-tem is not used regularly, the water quality will still deteriorate again. So, let me make this very clear: use the water in your system regularly; the faster, the better. Turnover in your water tanks is a good thing. In addition to the remedies we have already covered there are some additional steps you can take to maintain the aesthetics and, more importantly, the safety of your water system.
Filters and SterilizersThere are a wide range of filters available for marine water systems. They range from simple charcoal filters designed to remove sediment and bad taste up to FDA approved microbial-removing models. Look for a filter that meets the EPA Microbiological Purification Standards. These will eliminate bacteria, virus or cysts from the water. This type of filter may need to be preceded by another filter to keep larger size particles from clogging the sub-micron filter media.
Another device capable of sterilizing onboard drinking water is a UV sterilizer. These devices pass Ultra Violet rays through the water to sterilize it. Make sure the unit is FDA approved for such uses.
Above: Filters similar to this one meet EPA Microbiological Purifi-cation Standards and will remove harmful bacteria and cysts from drinking water.
The Great Lakes Mariner14
(Continued on Pg. 16)
Refreshing Your Fresh-Water System
This could have been your ad!
Your Guide to Boating Products, Ports, and Safe AdventureThe Great Lakes Mariner
Your business can get exposure without breaking the bank!
In celebration of our launch: The first 50 boating related businesses that contact us will receive free ad placement in the next issue of The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine!
www.TheGreatLakesMariner.comGo to:
Click on Advertising to find out more
Chemical Treatments
One has only to go through the plumbing section of any marine store to realize just how many water treatment compounds and chemicals are on the market. Pay close attention to what is on the label as many of these chemicals only treat or hide the taste issues and don’t provide any sterilization effects at all.
If you are looking for chemicals to make the wa-ter safe to drink, you’d be better off shopping at an RV or camping store. They offer several different chemicals, usually iodine or chlorine based, for treating drinking water. Be sure to follow the directions for safe and effective use.
As a last resort, it is possible to use household bleach to make water safe to drink, Add 1/2 tea-spoon of bleach for every five gallons of clear water. If the water is cloudy, increase the bleach to 1 teaspoon for every five gallons of water. Let the water sit in the tanks for at least 30 minutes if clear or 60 minutes if cloudy. The resulting water is safe to drink, if not the tastiest.
TestingThe only positive way of determining water quality is by having the water tested. Most local health departments or Cooperative Extension Offices can give you a list of local labs that will test your water.
This test however would only be valid for the water in your tanks at the time of the test and would not reflect the permanent state of your water system. Subsequent fillings may leave you in doubt. However, there are now home water testing kits available. These tests are not quite as accurate as the ones done in a certified lab, but they will
indicate if there might be a problem.
FinallyKeeping your onboard water supply safe and good tasting isn’t rocket science but does take some effort. Keep at it and your morning coffee will thank you.
Above: UV steri l ization units can be plumbed into existing water systems and are FDA approved.
Above: Off-the-shelf water treatment chemicals. Read the label to find out what they really do and how to use them.
(Continued from Pg. 14)
The Great Lakes Mariner 17
Refreshing Your Fresh-Water System
What’s Up Dock? New products and exciting innovations in boating gear!
← Yamaha VMAX SHO Series
Garmin GSD 24 and 26 - Digital Sonar →
← E-Z Snap - Zipper and Snap Lubricant
According to Yamaha “It’s quicker, stronger, smarter and lighter—outperforming two strokes on hole shot, displacement, fuel economy and weight. These are just a few of the design advancements that are putting it miles ahead of the competition.” with MSRP’s ranging from the mid-teens through the upper $20,000’s these are for the serious boater!
“...with enhanced performance, the GSD 24 has been redesigned from the ground up to provide dramatically improved target separation and bottom tracking for the recreational fisherman. The GSD 26 takes Garmin’s digital sonar offerings even further by adding Spread Spectrum technology and the ability to manually adjust transmission frequencies, making it ideal for serious deep-water sport fishing.” The units are expected to debut in August of 2011 with an MSRP of $699.99 for the GSD 24 and $1999.99 for the GSD 26.
For snaps, zippers, hinges and hardware. Lubricates, waterproofs, and reduces friction. It keeps snaps from corroding and locking up. It keeps zippers free flowing. E-Z Snap will not rinse away or dissipate in hot weather. The formula is non-hazardous, and does not contain solvents, silicone or Teflon. Retails for $5.75
18
Mustang M.I.T. 22 Inflatable PFD →
Aquaglide Platinum SuperTramp - Trampoline and Blast Air Bag Set
If you have a new product that you would like featured in What’s Up Dock? Please email us at: [email protected]
→“Using Membrane Inflatable Technology(TM) - or M.I.T. - this inflatable PFD is 20% lighter than competitors’ products. Utilizing an innovative membrane, the inflation cell takes up very little space when uninflated, but quickly stretches to fit the CO2 when activated to provide more flotation than most foam vests.” Retailing for around $100...safety is affordable!
Some things are so cool they don’t require much of a description. The SuperTramp is available at major outdoor retailers but don’t expect to have fun for cheap. The unit as pictured will run you about $4500. Hey, you only live once!
Back to Basics:
There are few words that a Captain dreads hearing more than “Man Overboard!” This is especially true for the pleasure boater for whom the man-overboard is likely a fam-ily member or close personal friend. Well, whether we like it or not, we have to face the fact that the possibility of a person going over the rail can never be totally eliminated. Ac-cepting this fact however doesn’t mean we have to go down without a fight! With just a little forethought and planning we can significantly reduce its likelihood and, in the event that it does happen, planning ahead will make us prepared to react so the scary moment doesn’t end up being a tragic moment. If my time in the military taught me anything it’s that the best plans are simple and practiced. So, with that in mind, let’s break a man-overboard emergency down into a few simple steps:
Get the Proper Equipment:Have the proper gear! This is an area where many boaters are negligent. No one likes spending $100 on a life-ring however not purchasing that life ring could result in a hor-ror that no one wants to imagine. Consider purchasing other products as well, such as a floating strobe light (a.k.a. – a man-overboard light), a man-overboard sling, a chart-plotter with a MOB (man-overboard) button or a multitude of other products that will help increase the likelihood of a successful rescue. If your response is “I can barely pay for gas let alone buy a bunch of stuff I probably won’t need” then you should have fun dockside because the open water is no place for you! Besides, good safety equipment will last for years; one bit of spending for years of safety seems like a pretty good deal to me!
By Kevin Counts
“Man-Overboard”Your Reaction Could Save a Life!
A floating strobe (or Crew Over-board light) such as this one will help you mark the position of the man-overboard and track currents.
The Great Lakes Mariner20
(Continued on Pg. 22)
Back to Basics: “Man-Overboard”Be Prepared:Talk about it, practice it, and talk about it again! You can’t yell “hey Mary! Keep treadin’ water and I’ll be right with you after I tell the kids how we’re gonna do this.” So the time for learning how to react to a man-overboard situation is not when there’s someone in the water. Taking a few minutes before each trip to have a discussion with your passengers not only reminds them to be cautious while on the water but also clearly defines the objectives of dealing with a man-overboard situation and helps everyone understand their role in dealing with the emergency.
As the old saying goes “practice makes perfect” and boating emergencies are no exception. Periodically, when you’re just out cruising, conduct a practice drill. While there are many reference sources to assist with planning for a man-overboard emergency, from Coast Guard manuals to boating safety books and websites, there are several procedures that they all have in com-mon. The technique used to accomplish an individual task, such as com-
ing-about, may vary depending on whether you’re the skipper of a power-boat or
Training such as this,
offered by the USCG
Auxillary, can help
others be ready if the
Captain is the one
overboard.
(Continued from Pg.. 20)
22
3B’s Captain’s SchoolCoast Guard Approved
Classes forming in MI/OH/IL/WI/IN(or private classes at your place)
• Test right on-site at end of class • We can review and submit paperwork!!! • OUPV (restricted) pending for lakes guides • Sign up for Free nautical newsletter at:
CaptainsSchool.com1/888-598-9598 [email protected]
local contacts: Captain Rudy Beshensky : [email protected] Captain Ron Murphy: [email protected]
(Continued from Pg.. 20)
23
sail-boat but the end result is the same, you must bring the vessel about and get to your passenger. So practicing the techniques that apply to your vessel just makes good sense.
The First Response:As soon as the emergency happens every person on board your vessel should be instructed to yell “man-overboard” and continue to echo it while pointing at the person in the water until they’re ac-knowledged by the captain. The person nearest to a life-ring, or other Type IV flotation device, should throw the device over-board while all passengers keep visual contact with the person overboard. The thrown flota-tion device not only assists the person overboard but may also act as a marker in the event visual contact is lost with the person in the water. After acknowledging the man-overboard declaration the skipper should immediately press the MOB (man-overboard) button on the vessel’s GPS and throw a lighted marker into the water, which should be stored within arm’s reach of the captain. If the ves-sel is underway the captain should safely slow speed, obtain visual contact with the person in the water, and bring the vessel about. If the vessel is not underway, and the person is being moved away from the vessel by a current, the captain should start its engines and leave them in neutral to allow for a quick response should maneuvering the vessel become necessary.
This is the time when another passenger may be tempted to jump in the water and save the day, let me just say this, in the famous words of Amityville Sheriff Brody, “stay out of the wa-ter!” (For those under 30 watch the movie Jaws
to understand the quote, then you won’t want to jump in, freshwater or not!) Unless some-one on the boat is a trained lifeguard it is quite possible that not long after the do-gooder jumps in the water the rest of those on board will be attempting to rescue two people. If the
person overboard is a competent swimmer then they will probably not need anyone’s help to get back to the boat, and jump-ing in the water is pointless, if the person overboard is not a strong swimmer then they may latch onto the well intentioned rescuer and, in a panic, take both of you under. In most cases everyone is better served by getting the type 4 with a rope attached to the victim and pulling them to you. This is not an absolute though; sometimes judgment calls have to be made. The age, physical abilities, and
injuries to the person may necessitate im-mediate assistance; but one thing is for certain, if a person enters the water they Must be wear-ing a life vest and, in rough water or water with a current, may consider wearing a tether.
Coming About:If the person cannot easily swim to the vessel, or be reached by other passengers, then the captain must make the decision whether to maneuver the vessel in order to come to him or her. If visual contact is lost with the vic-tim, or the victim appears to be in distress or unresponsive in the water, the captain should immediately broadcast the emergency over the VHF radio in order to have search vessels, other pleasure crafts, and emergency personnel making their way to your position or stand-ing by for medical treatment after the person is recovered. If the vessel is operating in an
Relatively inexpensive chartplotters such as this Garmin 431S offer a MOB feature and can be pur-chased for under $500.
The Great Lakes Mariner
Back to Basics: Man-Overboard(Cont.)
The Recovery:
In Closing:
A Lifesling or similiar de-vice can greatly increase a rescuers ability to safely reach their victim
The Great Lakes Mariner24
A beautiful roof is an essential part of a beautiful home. Call the company that has served
Southeastern Michigan for over 24 years.
The Great Lakes Mariner26
K e e p i n gT h e G r e a t L a k e s
B l u e
By Lucy Brake
Ah yes, summer is on its way again and there are lots of people with smiles on their faces, dreaming of all the boating and fishing trips coming up.
However, all is not well with the Great Lakes as the problem of water quality raises its ugly head yet again. The U.S. and Canadian Governments are taking a good hard look at the way some of the lakes seem to be struggling with increasingly bacteria-laden water, particularly Lake Michigan, and we need to do our bit too.
With these growing worries, we boaters need to be vigilant about taking the best care of the environment we all enjoy so much. In fact the Great Lakes support one of the largest freshwater fisheries in the world, and we definitely want to keep it that way. So to help out, here are some great tips for being a green boater out there on the Great Lakes.
Tip One: Take care with spillsGasoline and oil spilling into the water is one sure way to destroy fish and plants. The
Top Tips for Green Boating on the Great Lakes
No-Spill fuel recovery system attaches to the hull at the fuel tank vent and captures any overflow before it hits the water.
The Great Lakes Mariner 27
K e e p i n gT h e G r e a t L a k e s
B l u e
time you are refuelling your boat is one of the most likely for a spill to happen. So if you have a trailer boat, it is best to refuel at home before you leave rather than on the boat ramp, this way you can avoid any spilled gas entering the water. If you have a boat in a marina then there are devices you can install that help prevent discharges overboard from your tank vent. Either way always fill up your tank slowly and it is best not to fill it up right to the top. This is because fuel will naturally expand when it increases in temperature and so can overflow into the lake once you are underway.
Tip Two: Take care of your garbagePlastic and rubbish floating around the water and ending up on the beaches is both dangerous for marine life and nasty to look at. So don’t throw anything overboard and after you have been on a trip take your plastic, glass and cardboard home to recycle
Top Tips for Green Boating on the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Mariner28
Top Tips for Green Boating on the Great Lakes
what you can. Dispose properly of any paints, batteries, waste oil and other hazardous substances at the appropriate place. Lots of people throw old fishing line overboard but it can really harm marine life when it is swallowed, so put that in the garbage too.
Tip Three: Use toxic-free cleanersWhen you are cleaning your boat, both the inside and the out-side, try to use products that are made from eco-friendly or
natural materials. When cleaners are washed off into the water the chemicals they contain can have a nasty impact on fish and shellfish as well as water quality. When you clean the bottom of your boat try to use biodegrad-able cleaning agents and make sure that no paint or other agents enter the water. Many of the marine-grade cleaners have heaps of toxic chemicals in them and the eco-friendly cleaners will defi-nitely have less impact on the marine environment. So just check what you are cleaning with before you start. Don’t worry you will be able to keep your boat just as spotless with green cleaners and a bit of elbow grease.
Tip Four: Maintain your equipmentKeeping your boat, engine and propeller blades in a good condition will help to reduce wasting fuel and also help to minimise any oil or gas from leaking into the water. Check your boat regularly to make sure everything is working as it should be. You can also use these things called adjustable-pitch propellers or modular props which help to make sure your boat is efficiently running and, in the long run, this also helps to reduce the amount of gas you are using.
Know where you are goingThe Great Lakes are expansive and vast bodies of freshwater and it is pretty easy to get lost if you aren’t sure of your way. Not only can this be worrying, it can also use up a lot of gas unnecessarily and you can end up in places that might be too shallow for your boat and damage the lake bed. So it is best to check your charts before you head off to prevent your boat propeller potentially destroying marine life and habitats. Knowing where you are going can also mean you will consume less fuel and enjoy more time at your destination.
Adjustable-Pitch Propel-lers such as this one from
Propulse can result in significant fuel savings
Products such as Star
Brite Boat wash are ef-
fective while still being
environmentally safe
It takes 500 years for monofilament to decom-pose. Boat US offers it Reel in and Recycle Program...Consider volunteering to install and maintain a col-lection point near you.
IllinoisState by State - News from Around the Great Lakes
IDNR Announces Results of Chicago Area Bait Shops Inspections for Asian Carp
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced results of eDNA sampling at 52 bait shops in nine northeast Illinois counties – sampling that is part of the effort to stop the spread of Asian carp. The sampling, which took place last February and March and again this past summer, included visual bait tank inspections and testing of 2-liter water samples that were taken.
“This Bait Shop Survey is another component of a sophisticated and effective multilevel strategy of monitoring and removal that IDNR is undertaking in this fight to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller.The water samples were transferred to the University of Notre Dame, where they were filtered and analyzed for the presence of bighead and silver carp DNA. No Asian carp were observed during the bait shop visits and no bighead or silver carp DNA were found in the samples. A questionnaire filled out by bait shop owners or employees during the summer survey indicated minnows were purchased from local wholesalers and not captured from the wild.
“We appreciate the efforts of bait shop owners to work with us on this inspection effort. Their cooperation helps us achieve the overall goal of preventing the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes,” said IDNR Assistant Director John Rogner
Surveys to assess the bait trade as a potential pathway for Asian carp to gain access to Chicago waterways and Lake Michigan will continue during the summer of 2011. Surveillance likely will include additional visits to area bait shop and local minnow suppliers.
Support for this surveillance effort was provided to the University of Notre Dame and the IDNR through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.Bait shop sampling is part of the 2010 and 2011 Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework, a multi-agency effort to keep Asian carp from developing self-sustaining populations in the Great Lakes.
For more information go to http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/
The Great Lakes Mariner 29
For more information go to http://www.in.gov/dnr/
The Indiana DNR and Indiana Interactive offer an iPhone Application
The free app is available in Apple’s App Store which is accessible using iTunes. The appli-cation includes information and a mapping feature for those wanting to visit DNR prop-erties. You can use the app to view:-Locations of DNR properties and public hunting and fishing spots -Fishing and hunting guides -Nature brochures -Property maps -DNR events and news releases In addition, the application links to DNR’s camping and inns reservation system and the hunting/fishing licensing system. The application requires Internet access through wifi or wireless connection. This is DNR’s first mobile application. Feedback and suggestions are welcome at [email protected]. A version for Android and Blackberry is under development.
IndianaState by State - News from Around the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Mariner30
Michigan
March 28, 2011
The daily creel limit for walleyes in Michigan’s waters of Lake Erie will be six beginning May 1, the Department of Natural Resources announced today.
Michigan has adopted a process for setting regulations that allows the DNR to use real-time population data instead of using year-old survey results. This process parallels one adopted by Ohio last year.
“This change to the regulations process is critical to helping us manage walleyes in Lake Erie in a timely manner,” said DNR Lake Erie Basin Coordinator Liz Hay-Chmielewski. “In order to do that, we have to set regulations in March instead of the previous autumn.”
Michigan’s daily creel limit for walleyes on Lake Erie is based on its share of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the lake, which is determined by the Lake Erie Committee under the aegis of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. The TAC is generally based on overall abundance of walleyes; the Committee establishes quotas for each jurisdiction based on the percentage of habitat for adult walleyes in each jurisdiction’s waters of the lake. The daily limit is based on a formula that projects how many walleyes anglers can keep but still remain within the quota.
The Total Allowable Catch for Lake Erie for 2011 is 2.919 million fish, making Michigan’s quota 0.17 million fish.
The new regulations process means that the creel limit for walleyes on Lake Erie will not be set until TACs are determined each March, after the Michigan Fishing Guide goes to press. Anglers will need to check for changes annually.
There are no changes to either the fishing season or size limit for walleyes on Lake Erie.
Lake Erie Daily Creel Limit for Walleyes Is Six Beginning May 1
For more information go to http://michigan.gov/dnr/
State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Mariner 31
Minnesota
March 17, 2011Finding outdoor fun in Minnesota is easier than ever now that the DNR has created and launched a handful of new and free applications for mobile devices.
Last year, the DNR website had 1.3 million page views by mobile devices. The mobile LakeFind-er app has had nearly 3,000 installs based solely on word of mouth. The snowmobile GPS files have been downloaded more than 3,000 times.
Here is a look at what’s available:LAKEFINDER Data for more than 4,500 lakes and rivers throughout Minnesota including lake surveys, depth maps and vegetation reports, plus water quality and clarity data are available for most Android phones. This app allows people to get the information on demand with an Internet connection or save it to a de-vice for offline access.
DNR LAYARS Public Water Accesses - Finding a lake in Minnesota is easy - finding the water access on that lake is sometimes another story. Now users can download a free application that uses the Layar software platform to locate Minnesota water accesses. Open the application, point the phone at the lake and it’ll help locate a place to launch a watercraft for a great day on the water. Most of the public state-managed access sites, as well as many of the private access sites, are available. The app is available for most iPhone and Android phones.
GPS MAPS Snowmobile Trails - Snowmobilers can know their exact location and where a trail will take them. Garmin GPS users can now download a background map containing Minnesota snowmobile trails, including state trails, trails within state parks, state forests and other state owned lands, as well as snowmobile trails funded through the Grant-In-Aid snowmobile system. Available in Garmin IMG format.
Wildlife management area dataPeople can download data and locations for all state wildlife management areas (WMA) to their GPS. Parking lot and WMA boundary information is available in two common GPS formats - Garmin and Lowrance. Available in Garmin IMG and Lowrance LCM formats.
These applications and options are the DNR’s initial efforts in these technology areas. The agency plans to support other operating systems and file formats in the future.
For more information go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mobile/index.html
DNR unveils new mobile apps for outdoor enthusiasts
State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Mariner32
New York
February 28, 2011
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today an-nounced a new state law that allows for the one-time transfer of lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses under certain circumstances. Previously, lifetime licens-es could not be transferred to another individual, regardless of the situation. Under the new law, lifetime sporting licenses may be transferred to a qualifying relative if the lifetime license holder passes away within one year of purchase of the license or if the license holder passes away while in active United States military duty during a time of war. “Hunters, anglers, and trappers take their pursuits very seriously,” said Acting Com-missioner Joseph Martens, and “this is a way for them to pass on a family tradition.” The new law became effective January 15, 2011 and stipulates that lifetime licenses may be transferred if the person to whom the license was issued dies within one year of the issuance of the license, the person to whom the license is to be trans-ferred is a legal New York State resident and would otherwise be eligible to purchase the license, and the person to whom the license is to be transferred is a parent, sib-ling, child or spouse of the license holder. Application for transfer of the lifetime license must be made within three years of the issuance of the license, except in the case of lifetime license holders that die while serving in the active United States military, naval, or air services during a pe-riod of war. Lifetime license transfer requests must be made by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. Due to the effective date of the new law, for non-military-re-lated transfer requests, lifetime licenses must have been issued on or after January 15, 2008, with a three month grace period for transfer applications.
New State Law Allows for Lifetime License Transfers
For more information go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/
State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Mariner 33
For more information go to http://ohiodnr.com/
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Ohio
March 28,2011
COLUMBUS, OH – Lake Erie anglers should experience another year of diverse fishing opportunities during 2011, according to biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.
“When you consider the variety of species and sizes of fish that are available to Ohio anglers, we are optimistic about Lake Erie fishing prospects this year,” said Roger Knight, Lake Erie fisheries program manager for the Division of Wildlife. “Weather is always the wild card on Lake Erie, but anglers who take advantage of seasonal fishing opportuni-ties have good odds at catching walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, white bass, and steelhead, often in combination during many trips.”
Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency quota system that involves Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction regulates their catches to comply with their agency’s quotas and mini-mize the risk of over-fishing these species. Quotas for the upcoming fishing season are determined through consensus agreement by these jurisdictions through the Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which were just recently announced for 2011.
Ohio’s walleye and yellow perch bag limits were set after the March 25, 2011, LEC quota announcement, and will go into effect May 1, 2011. As a result of the 2011 quota alloca-tion, the walleye bag limit will be six from May 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012, and four from March 1, 2012 to April 30, 2012. A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect during the entire season. The daily bag limit for walleye remains four fish per person during April 2011. As a result of the 2011 quota allocation, the yellow perch bag limit will be 30 perch per angler in all Ohio waters from May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012. There is no minimum size limit on yel-low perch. Lake Erie anglers can find walleye and yellow perch bag limit information at ODNR offices, in special publications at bait and tackle shops, and on the Web at wildohio.com.
Lake Erie anglers have great access to fishing in the Western and Central basins due to the numerous public boat ramps, private marinas, and shoreline access areas. Anglers also benefit from having access to the largest charter boat fleet on the Great Lakes.
Walleye and Yellow Perch Bag Limits Announced
State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes
Pennsylvania
For more information go to http://fishandboat.com/
April 6, 2011
Meadville, PA – Staff from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will be instruct-ing a free 8-hour Basic Boating Course on Saturday April 30, 2011 at the Corry Higher Education Building at 221 North Center Street in Corry. The course will start promptly at 9 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. with a ½ hour lunch break. Seating is limited so pre-registration is required by calling 814-664-9405. Note: The law requires the following persons to obtain their PA Boating Safety Educa-tion Certificate:
•Persons born on or after January 1, 1982 operating a boat with a motor greater than 25 hp
•All persons (regardless of age) operating Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski, Wave runner, Sea Doo, etc.)
The course content and final test are designed for persons age 12 and older. Children who will be 12 years of age before or during the upcoming boating season are encour-aged to register.
The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.
CONTACT Keith Edwards [email protected] 814-336-2426
PA Fish & Boat Commission offers FREE Boating Course
State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Mariner 35
Wisconsin
April 1, 2011
MILWAUKEE - A mid-March fish kill of thousands of gizzard shad in the Milwaukee Har-bor ship canals was caused by the fish virus viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, accord-ing to results released March 31 from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Madison. The finding represents the first time VHS has been detected in Wisconsin’s waters of Lake Michigan since 2008, and the first time gizzard shad have tested positive for VHS in Wisconsin, according to Sue Marcquenski, Department of Natural Resources fish health specialist.
“The results show that the virus is persisting in the environment, and as some have pre-dicted, new isolations of the disease will likely be from younger year-classes of fish that haven’t built up immunity to the virus,” she said.
VHS, which can infect several dozen different native fish species and cause them to bleed to death, does not affect humans. The first detection of the virus was in freshwater drum from the Lake Winnebago system in 2007, and also in Wisconsin’s waters of Lake Michigan that same year. The virus was first confirmed in Lake Superior in 2010 from samples of lake herring.
The Milwaukee Harbor canals fish kill started the week of March 14 and by March 18, involved several thousand fish. Dead and dying gizzard shad were collected and necrop-sied on March 22 and submitted to the Madison laboratory for testing, Marcquenski said. DNR will be testing fish from 27 waters this spring as part of its surveillance program for VHS and also to assure that the disease is not present in those rivers that DNR relies on for water supplies for its hatcheries. Infected fish shed the virus in their urine and reproductive fluids and the virus can sur-vive in water for at least 14 days. Fish also can be infected when they eat an infected fish.
“The important message here is VHS is still out there and we have to be vigilant about cleaning our boats and not moving fish around,” says Al Kaas, DNR fish hatchery opera-tions chief.
VHS fish disease caused gizzard shad fish kill in Milwaukee Harbor ship canals
For more information go to http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/
State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Mariner36
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