chicagotribune.com
Chicago Park District set to add 2 new high-profit harbors
Park District prepares to boost capacity by more than 1,100 boats
By Jaime Adame
Special to the Tribune
May 15, 2009
Barring unforeseen problems with needed approvals, construction could begin next spring on two city harbors that would expand the number of mooring spaces for recreational boaters by about 20 percent and bring in more tourism dollars, Chicago Park District officials say.
The Chicago Gateway Harbor project involves a reinforcement of dilapidated Dime Pier, located about 480 feet south of Navy Pier and 400 feet north of Chicago Harbor Lock, and creation of nightly as well as hourly boating slips. The harbor could open in 2011, parks officials say.
"Gateway will be the only Park District harbor intended primarily for visiting boaters," said Park District spokeswoman Jessica Maxey-Faulkner. A lack of such docking opportunities "represents a loss in revenue and related economic impact potential," according to the Chicago Lakefront Harbor Framework Plan.
The second and larger of the projects, at 31st Street, was a proposed Olympic sailing venue, though bid officials now say Burnham Harbor would be used for sailing.
If Chicago is awarded the 2016 Olympics, displaced boaters could look to the new harbors for mooring spaces, park officials say.
Parks officials conducted an economic feasibility study that suggested both harbor projects will be profitable, Maxey-Faulkner said. Existing harbors cannot meet the demand for slips, with more than 700 boaters on a waiting list, added Rob Rejman, director of capital construction for the Park District,
Yet, the number of slips at Gateway and their proximity to tour boats tied up at Navy Pier raised safety concerns. The project ended up with 265slips, a decrease of 38 percent.
Of the five tour boat operators who dock on the South Side of Navy Pier, some say the harbor design still is problematic because larger ships and smaller boats would navigate the heavily trafficked Navy Pier fairway.
"It just seems like they're trying to squeeze too much into a small area," said Anthony Difiglio, general manager for Anita Dee Yacht Charters. "It's not really a question of if you'll have an accident, it's a question of when," he said.
Yet Coast Guard Cmdr. Paul Mehler III called the project "a balancing act between profit and safety."
"It is my belief that we can do it safely, but steps are going to have to be put in place to manage that many recreational boaters," said Mehler, in charge of the marine safety unit in Chicago.
The 31st Street Harbor would add about 850 slips. Parks officials say it may take until 2012 to finish that project, which includes an underground parking garage, a community building and a breakwater that curls into Lake Michigan.
In a May 1 letter to the Park District, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said it was ready to recommend the 31st Street Harbor project proceed. The agency was awaiting a response from the city to six letters received during the comment period about the Gateway project.
The projects must be authorized by state lawmakers, and also await approval from the Chicago Plan Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Nine marinas already dot Chicago's shoreline, but the more than 5,000 moorings aren't enough, said Gary Hooper, civic chairman for the Chicago Yachting Association.
"We feel the city is needing the slips throughout the system, especially if we get the Olympics," he said.
The harbors would be the first built since DuSable Harbor opened with 420 slips in 2000. Before that downtown project, no Chicago marina had been built in 65 years.
Plans for both projects were announced in 2007, when park officials estimated the cost of the 31st Street project at about $42 million and the Gateway project at $24 million. They now estimate the 31st Street project will cost $75 million, and the Gateway project about $35 million.
Last month, park officials agreed to pay up to $3.7 million to URS Corp. to manage construction. Bidding on the construction contracts is expected this winter. Rejman said the Park District won $3.1 million in federal grant money earmarked for projects that benefit short-stay boaters.
Revenue bonds will finance construction, with mooring fees expected to cover ongoing costs, parks officials say.
Fees vary by harbor and Gateway "will be among the higher priced of our harbors," Rejman said. "We think this harbor's going to do really well."
Hooper said he recently paid more than $10,500 for a 60-foot slip with some amenities in DuSable Harbor.
The new harbors will be needed to handle the 1,600 boaters who may be displaced from other harbors by the Olympics, he said.
But the harbor projects were "cued up really before we heard anything about the Olympics," Rejman said. A third proposed harbor at the site of the former USX steel mill is on the back burner, he added.
Revisions to the Gateway harbor design -- widening the fairway near the western end of the pier by 40 feet to 190 feet as well as reducing the number of slips -- won support from some tour boat operations. "We feel it's very workable," said Dan Russell, vice president and general manager of Entertainment Cruises Chicago. His company's boats will dock on new finger pier structures to be added to the east end of Navy Pier, he said. The Coast Guard's Mehler said that although harbor officials addressed many of the safety concerns, more recommendations have been made to the state Department of Natural Resources.
He wants a harbor master to help control traffic, something the Park District said in a mid-April letter will happen. He also seeks additional widening of the fairway, expressing concern that the finger docks extending from Navy Pier could cause more congestion. And he called for safety courses for boaters.
"Our challenge is to educate them and make them aware of the challenges specific to the downtown Chicago waterfront, but people have the right to enjoy the water. It is one of the beautiful attributes Chicago has to offer, and it is our challenge to have them do it safely," Mehler said.
Freelance reporter Mike Helfgot contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Boat operator certification
Boat operator certification is now a reality. We have been hearing about it for so long that most of us have taken a wait and see attitude. The big hang up was the question of insurance liability and that has been taken care of.
Insurance is in place, the first passport kits for inland navigators are in stock and ready to ship...you have all heard what the qualifications are to become an Inland Navigator...the only thing missing is for someone to sign off that the qualifications have been met.
This is the reason for my message today. We need to get at least one BOC certifier trained in each squadron. FAST!! There are 2 levels of certifiers. The basic certifier who will check to see that the candidate has successfully completed all the classroom and land-based skill qualifications...and the advancer certifier who will verify the on-the-water skills. Before anyone can become an advanced certifier, they must become a basic certifier.
After they become a basic certifier, a master certifier will come to our district, conduct another seminar and test the candidate's on-the-water skills in handling a 23 foot vessel.
There are three requirements that must be met before anyone can become a certifier:
1. Qualifications: be a USPS member, hold the grade of AP or above, be a current USPS certified instructor, be actively boating, have substantial and verifiable on the water experience, have passed the course or seminar they are certifying, have internet access and an email address.
2. They must be nominated by the SEO or DEO and approved by the regional certifier
3. They must attend a 6-hour seminar.
I'm asking you to look at your list of public boating certified instructors and identify the 1 or 2 people in your squadron who you think would be willing to observe skill demonstrations.
I have attached a copy of the nomination form. Have them fill it out and email back to me. I will get it to the regional certifier with my recommendations.
Bob Potter has agreed to conduct a BOC certifiers seminar on the Friday prior to C&R July 25. (the seminar would be held on the 24th). We are tentative planning to have it in the Administration Building at North Point Marina. We were originally thinking about having it on Saturday, but logistically that won't work. We planned it around C&R hoping that all squadrons will have a representative in attendance.
This is important and time is of the essence. I need your candidate's nomination form back to be by 10 June so we can get them to the regional certifier for approval before C&R.
Contact Cmdr. Wayne Toberman for more info.
Insurance is in place, the first passport kits for inland navigators are in stock and ready to ship...you have all heard what the qualifications are to become an Inland Navigator...the only thing missing is for someone to sign off that the qualifications have been met.
This is the reason for my message today. We need to get at least one BOC certifier trained in each squadron. FAST!! There are 2 levels of certifiers. The basic certifier who will check to see that the candidate has successfully completed all the classroom and land-based skill qualifications...and the advancer certifier who will verify the on-the-water skills. Before anyone can become an advanced certifier, they must become a basic certifier.
After they become a basic certifier, a master certifier will come to our district, conduct another seminar and test the candidate's on-the-water skills in handling a 23 foot vessel.
There are three requirements that must be met before anyone can become a certifier:
1. Qualifications: be a USPS member, hold the grade of AP or above, be a current USPS certified instructor, be actively boating, have substantial and verifiable on the water experience, have passed the course or seminar they are certifying, have internet access and an email address.
2. They must be nominated by the SEO or DEO and approved by the regional certifier
3. They must attend a 6-hour seminar.
I'm asking you to look at your list of public boating certified instructors and identify the 1 or 2 people in your squadron who you think would be willing to observe skill demonstrations.
I have attached a copy of the nomination form. Have them fill it out and email back to me. I will get it to the regional certifier with my recommendations.
Bob Potter has agreed to conduct a BOC certifiers seminar on the Friday prior to C&R July 25. (the seminar would be held on the 24th). We are tentative planning to have it in the Administration Building at North Point Marina. We were originally thinking about having it on Saturday, but logistically that won't work. We planned it around C&R hoping that all squadrons will have a representative in attendance.
This is important and time is of the essence. I need your candidate's nomination form back to be by 10 June so we can get them to the regional certifier for approval before C&R.
Contact Cmdr. Wayne Toberman for more info.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Calling All U.S.C.G. Auxiliary
May 2008 -
Calling All U.S.C.G. Auxiliary
Amateur Radio Operators !
ANNOUNCING AN
Amateur Radio Special Event
Commemorating the
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Anniversary
All U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members that are Amateur Radio operators are invited to operate as “Special Event Radio Stations” on Saturday October 18, 2008 on Amateur H.F. frequencies to commemorate the Anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
All amateurs are invited to set up and operate Special Event Radio stations using High Frequency all across the nation. Official USCG Aux Special Event Amateur Radio stations will be operating “On the Air” with a Special 1 X 1 call all day contacting amateur radio operators and other U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary stations from coast to coast.
All official Special Event Radio Stations will be sent Free Commemorative QSL’s to mail out. Last year over 30 USCG Aux. Special Event Stations contacted thousands of other amateurs and USCG Auxiliary members to commemorate the USCG Auxiliary Anniversary.
If interested in becoming an Official Special Event Radio Station Contact:
Dan Amoroso BA – OTU e mail: nnn0abp@navymars.org
Last day to register as an Official Station - September 15, 2008
Instructional Notice and station requirements can be found here
More info is available at http://www.auxodept.org/telecoms.htm
Calling All U.S.C.G. Auxiliary
Amateur Radio Operators !
ANNOUNCING AN
Amateur Radio Special Event
Commemorating the
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Anniversary
All U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members that are Amateur Radio operators are invited to operate as “Special Event Radio Stations” on Saturday October 18, 2008 on Amateur H.F. frequencies to commemorate the Anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
All amateurs are invited to set up and operate Special Event Radio stations using High Frequency all across the nation. Official USCG Aux Special Event Amateur Radio stations will be operating “On the Air” with a Special 1 X 1 call all day contacting amateur radio operators and other U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary stations from coast to coast.
All official Special Event Radio Stations will be sent Free Commemorative QSL’s to mail out. Last year over 30 USCG Aux. Special Event Stations contacted thousands of other amateurs and USCG Auxiliary members to commemorate the USCG Auxiliary Anniversary.
If interested in becoming an Official Special Event Radio Station Contact:
Dan Amoroso BA – OTU e mail: nnn0abp@navymars.org
Last day to register as an Official Station - September 15, 2008
Instructional Notice and station requirements can be found here
More info is available at http://www.auxodept.org/telecoms.htm
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Chicago Power Sqadron Fitting Out Luncheon
Date : 5/16/09 Location: 645 W North Ave Marcello's Father & Son Restaurant Chicago, IL 60610 Free Parking Time: 1300 to 1500 Serving: 1350 Service: Buffet Salad Entre: BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Chicken Picata, Grilled Vegatable Medely, and Double Baked Potatoes. Chocolate Cake Beverages: Soft Drinks and Coffee Service Price: $35.00 per person SIGN UP NOW! | View Larger Map |
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tell EPA to Deny Waiver Petition to Allow E15
Tell EPA to Deny Waiver Petition to Allow E15
EPA Should Not Allow Increased Ethanol Blends
Go to http://capwiz.com/nmma/issues/alert/?alertid=13199386 and let your voice be heard.
EPA Should Not Allow Increased Ethanol Blends
On March 6, 2009, a new pro-ethanol lobbying organization called Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers formally requested that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increase ethanol blend levels in gasoline up to 15 percent (E15). As is required by law, EPA on April 21 published a Notice for Comment in the Federal Register, beginning a 30-day public comment period.
MEMBERS Please review and act promptly to stop this thoughtless policy change without regard for your boat's operational safety.
MEMBERS Please review and act promptly to stop this thoughtless policy change without regard for your boat's operational safety.
Go to http://capwiz.com/nmma/issues/alert/?alertid=13199386 and let your voice be heard.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Interesting Websites
Updated Sunday 05 July 09
Sailing Anarchy, great website, lots of good stuff.
Just got a note from CPS members, Ray and John about this Website... "BOASTY began because of a little thread on the BOC (Bayliner Owners Club) website which was titled "A Great Way to Say Thank You"! Well, After reading that thread on the BOC website it gave me an idea to propose a new kind of boating event!" Take a moment to check out this web (http://www.boasty.org/)
Just came across this website-- www.marinetraffic.com
This appears to be live AIS data that utilizes Google Mapping. Really cool. Let me know what you think, perhaps you have other cool webs.
Another one that I like is www.earthnc.com, really a cool product. I've tried it, it is great stuff at little (almost free) or no cost.
The last one, I've been really addicted to is www.virtualregatta.com. I would warn any one that goes here that it is addicting.
This one is sort of fun, Bowman's Union. http://www.bowmansunion.com/
MARTINDALE'S CALCULATORS ON-LINE CENTER
Really interesting website. Need some help, try here http://www.martindalecenter.com/CalculatorsD_Wea.html A great collection of WEATHER - METEOROLOGY - CLIMATOLOGY (Calculators, Applets, Spreadsheets,
and where Applicable includes: Courses, Manuals,
Handbooks, Simulations, Animations, Videos, etc.)
If you have a website you would like to share, drop us a note.
Sailing Anarchy, great website, lots of good stuff.
Just got a note from CPS members, Ray and John about this Website... "BOASTY began because of a little thread on the BOC (Bayliner Owners Club) website which was titled "A Great Way to Say Thank You"! Well, After reading that thread on the BOC website it gave me an idea to propose a new kind of boating event!" Take a moment to check out this web (http://www.boasty.org/)
Just came across this website-- www.marinetraffic.com
This appears to be live AIS data that utilizes Google Mapping. Really cool. Let me know what you think, perhaps you have other cool webs.
Another one that I like is www.earthnc.com, really a cool product. I've tried it, it is great stuff at little (almost free) or no cost.
The last one, I've been really addicted to is www.virtualregatta.com. I would warn any one that goes here that it is addicting.
This one is sort of fun, Bowman's Union. http://www.bowmansunion.com/
MARTINDALE'S CALCULATORS ON-LINE CENTER
Really interesting website. Need some help, try here http://www.martindalecenter.com/CalculatorsD_Wea.html A great collection of WEATHER - METEOROLOGY - CLIMATOLOGY (Calculators, Applets, Spreadsheets,
and where Applicable includes: Courses, Manuals,
Handbooks, Simulations, Animations, Videos, etc.)
If you have a website you would like to share, drop us a note.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
New Features
I've added a couple of new feature to the web that might be helpful.
New Item in the Links Menu to the Chicago Department of Transportation for the Spring 2009 bridge lift schedule. Some of our members and readers might find it helpful.
New Feature in the ChicagoPS web is this custom search engine. Find those hard to find boat parts and accessories easily with this custom search engine. Save time and money simply by entering your engine filter or your docking line here. What every you're looking for, find it here from some of the best marine sources on the web.
New Item in the Links Menu to the Chicago Department of Transportation for the Spring 2009 bridge lift schedule. Some of our members and readers might find it helpful.
New Feature in the ChicagoPS web is this custom search engine. Find those hard to find boat parts and accessories easily with this custom search engine. Save time and money simply by entering your engine filter or your docking line here. What every you're looking for, find it here from some of the best marine sources on the web.
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