A boatload of thanks

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

Well, it’s almost time to take all the decorations off your boat

and start preparing for un-crowded wintertime cruising on our

waterways.

I find the winter season a great time to go boating and cruise to

destinations like Avalon, minus the summertime crowds. In fact, I’ll

be skippering a new yacht to Mexico on Monday. My job does have a few

advantages.

It seems like every year we’re blessed with warm and perfect

weather on New Year’s Day, so what a great day to go boating.

Speaking of being blessed, Ray Tsuneyoshi, director of

California’s Boating and Waterways Department, was in-studio on my

radio show last Sunday. He told the listeners what he’s thankful for

this holiday season.

“First thing is the U.S. Coast Guard and all their personnel who

man the boats and the stations in California, keeping our waters and

boaters safe and secure,” Tsuneyoshi said.

“I am also thankful for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S.

Power Squadrons of California for the time and efforts they take on

the water to conduct vessel safety checks and teach the boaters

various aspects of boating skills and safety.

“I also want to be thankful for all various peace officers,

lifeguards and rangers who patrol our coastal and inland waters,

maintaining order and promoting safe boating.

“I want to also say that I am really thankful for my waterways

staff, the boating and waterways staff, who have a real can-do

attitude. They care about their constituency, and sometimes, I like

to call them dream-enablers.

They make this department stand out in the state.

“I also want to be thankful for the recreational boaters of

California, all the yacht clubs who promote safe, fun boating across

the whole length and breadth of this beautiful state of ours.

“And finally I want to give thanks to Capt. Mike and Chandler, who

do enormous good with their sage advice and helpful hints about

boating. It is most appreciated and we need to get you spread to the

four corners of this state and further.”

I feel very honored that Tsuneyoshi personally thanked both

Chandler and I for our efforts in promoting boating. Plus, I ditto

what Tsuneyoshi said about all of the behind-the-scenes personnel who

work hard to make boating safe and enjoyable.

It’s always a huge gamble starting a new radio show, and I am

extremely thankful for my crew (Chandler Bell, Eric Hovland, John

Hammond, and Lou Montana), you the listener, my major sponsors

(Banner Mattress and Maritime Institute), my in-studio guests, and

KCBQ, whose management believed in me.

Before I get all teary-eyed, I want to say that I’m really

thankful for you -- the Daily Pilot reader. It’s always nice

receiving your e-mails and hearing from the many of you around town

who’ve stopped to tell me how much you enjoy reading my column.

This holiday season, I want you to think about all that we have to

be thankful for with our beautiful harbor and the ocean. We need to

thank all of the people who volunteer their time to participate on

water-related committees and commissions, whether they’re working on

water quality, water access, nautical events, or harbor management,

just to name a few.

Newport Harbor is this area’s most valuable resource and I want

you to enjoy it. Boaters are the harbor’s best friend, so thank you,

“the boater,” who respects the aquatic environment. As urban run-off

pollution decreases -- and yes, it has decreased -- the enjoyment of

our waterways increases for all. I want to wish you a prosperous and

happy new year, and my new year’s resolution is to keep bringing the

boating world to you.

Tune in to my radio show this and every Sunday from 4 to 5 p.m. on

KCBQ-AM (1170), or listen over the Internet at https://www.boathouse

radio.com. You can call in to the toll-free listener line at (888)

344-1170 and join in on Southern California’s only boating talk radio

show reaching up the coast from San Diego to Oxnard and out to Santa

Catalina Island.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to mike@boathouse tv.com or visit https://www.boat housetv.com.