Harbor Advisory Committee June 2008

NEW 24 HR DUTY RIG: The Police Harbor Unit changeed to a 24 hour duty rig last year and is now surveying public users about their service. Please contact Jann McFarland at the FHA office for a copy of this brief survey. Your responses are most appreciated.

4th OF JULY: The Harbor Unit lifted a long-standing unofficial policy allowing anchoring in the south end of Lake Union on the night of July 4th. Many disgruntled boaters complained about the early AM eviction. The policy will undergo revision to make it official one way or the other.

SEAFAIR: MUch publicity is planned over boater safety for this weekend, especially emphasizing no tolerance for operation of a vessel while intoxicated.

HOMELAND SECURITY: Funds are providing counter-terrorism training ranging from a local FBI course in underwater exposives to a complete two week course in Georgia.

GREENLAKE PARK: The Harbor Unit was callled to remove and nvestigate the purposeful placement of sharpened spikes on the lake bed. Since the orginal report, several new fields of spikes have been discovered.

BOATING TOO CLOSE: Some boaters are operating too close to houseboat docks on the open waters of Lake Union and Portage Bay according to complaints. Even though there’s no speciific law against it, common sense and safe operating practifces infer that boaters keep clear of swimming areas, which are restricted by the Harbor Code, to within 50 feet of a structure or a boat.

SEATTLE WATER & BOATING Regulations & Information pammphlets have been produced by the Harbor Patrol with an Allstate Insurance grant. Distribution is in progress; copies are immediately available at the Harbor Patrol Office next to Gas Works Park.

STATE PARKS GRANT of $45,000 added to the State Excise Tax, will be used for boater safety and education programs.

RADAR SPEED CHECKS: The Harbor Patrol expects to acquire several radar guns for use against speeding boaters especially on Lake Union, Portage Bay, and other restricted speed zones inside the Cut.

URGENTLY NEEDED: A representative from the Floating Homes Communithy to attend monthly Police Department West Precinct community relations meetings on the 2nd Wednesday from 7:30 - 9:00 AM at 8th and Virginia. The West Precinct covers all of our community from Lynn Street south and clockwise along Westlake to the Fremont Bridge. Please contact Giff Jones, Tiff McNamara, or Jann McFarland at the FHA Office.