Lowtide
office. As the requirements for putting
on maritime events cover everyone,
kayaking and festival representatives
were there as well. Two members of
the Harbor Patrol, Sgt. Yamamoto and
Officer D. Cannon also attended to
participate in the forum.
The Coast Guard was ably
represented by Lt. Steven Stowers,
Ensign Ashley Wanzer, and Petty
Officer Stephen Knappe. PO Knappe
is a familiar name to all those who
have been involved with their club’s
activities as he is “the permit guy.”
Coast Guard and Yacht Clubs
The VTS lanes were discussed along
with other safety issues, but of most
Get Together at 48° North
interest was Permit and Applications.
Basically, a new event needs to submit an
application 135 days before the date of the
In the “old days,” if we wanted to on race committees each year, not to event. Events that have taken place one or
put on a race in Puget Sound we just mention ever changing personnel in more times before, only need to get their
told everyone to meet us out front of the Coast Guard, 48° North thought it permits in 60 days ahead of the event. This
the marina at 9:00 am. Then we’d race would be a good idea to get everyone is where the “new people” in a club
up to the mid-channel bouy, down to together to talk things over. What do need to be aware of the requirements.
the next mid-channel buoy, then back “they (CG)” want from us? What do PO Knappe recounted many times
to the finish. Obviously, times have we want from them? We started this where people weren’t aware they
changed. Today, with the coming and three years ago and everyone involved needed a permit until right before a race
going of giant ocean-going freighters has been very pleased with the results. and called in a panic. Accommodations
and almost 600 crossings of Puget Basically, the goals of the CG and the were made, but a lot of worry can be
Sound per day of ferry traffic and other clubs are the same; to have people alleviated by getting the paperwork in
commercial vessels, plopping a bunch enjoying the waters safely. Through on time.
of sailboats right in the middle of the these informal meetings, many of the The box below will give you the
mix could cause quite a danger to the gray areas of what’s required of the information for getting a permit or
commercial vessels, and even more so clubs have been cleared up, as well asking questions about putting on an
to the sailboats, as in “squashed like a as the Coast Guard becoming more event.
bug.” informed as to what exactly is going
There truly have been relatively on during these races and events. For
few incidents caused by the interaction instance, last year there was quite a
Obtaining an Application
of sailboats and commercial traffic discussion regarding support boats for
over the years, but as Puget Sound the races. Through a frank and fruitful
Internet: http://www.uscg.mil/d13/seattle/
gets smaller, it becomes increasingly exchange of views, a workable solution
marine_permits/default.htm
important to know what steps to take was achieved to the benefit of all.
to make races and events safe for all This year 20 representatives from
Email: sectorseattlewwm@uscg.mil
concerned. clubs from Portland to Bellingham
Because of the turnover in personnel met February 20, at the 48° North
Marine Permit Officer 206-217-6051
48° No r t h , Ma r c h 2009 Pa g e 18
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86