Latitude 38 April 2018

from Latitude 38 April 2018

by BBC Local Search

SPRING RIGGING UPGRADES

HANSEN RIGGING

Standing Rigging Specialists

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www.hansenrigging.com 2307 Blanding Ave., Ste. GH • Alameda, CA 94501

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(510) 521-7027

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CHIEF PETTY OFFICER JAY NILLES / USCG

LETTERS

like a Cal 29 than a 30.

Regarding radar reflectors, we posed that question to Layne Carter, a Search and Rescue (SAR) specialist with the Coast Guard in Alameda. He said "We do not use radar reflectors as a general practice. It is ultimately the responsibility of the owner to mark and salvage the vessel. However, we do issue a broadcast notice to mariners for all hazards to navigation we become aware

Our original caption to this photo from February 14: "Coast Guard Station Morro Bay Motor Lifeboat crews arrived on scene to assist this sailboat taking on water. The CG didn't know the vessel's make and size, but it looks to us like it could be a Cal 2-30." Jim Nash says it's likely a Cal 2-29.

of. Obviously not all owners are able to mark or salvage their vessels and of course we often are unable to even locate anowner for many abandoned and adrift vessels. We try to mark vessels as 'OK' when safe to do so, but that is generally to prevent false alerts.

"On a case by case basis, we will mark a vessel with a satellite tracking device we use to validate drift during SAR cases, but that depends on the situation (if the unit on scene involved in the rescue has the device onboard, and if they can safely attach it to the vessel)." — cw/ja

⇑⇓ IS THIS SCAM STILL HAPPENING?

I just called National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and they clarified their vessel documentation procedure. First, they confirmed that my boat certificate does not expire until March 31 (which I knew and is what precipitated my call) and is not expired as the Maritime Documentation Center (MDC) informed me by letter.

The NVDC stated that MDC is a third-party agency (not US Coast Guard-related) providing this service, so it cannot be classified as a scam per se, although I would disagree. In my case, MDC sent me my notice about three to four weeks prior to the one NVDC said they would send out, which was 45 days prior to expiration. Secondly, the NVDC fee is the same as last year ($26) and less than the MDC 'service' charge of $70.

It would be helpful to inform people that this is another case of someone making a business out of providing an unneeded service normally provided adequately by legal entities. I have come across this as well when renewing my FCC permits and Ham licenses. Subscribers need to be made aware of third-party attempts to obtain inflated fees; some owners may choose to no longer document their boat due to the much higher cost. The bottom line is that we don't need these businesses increasing our boat operating costs.

Mike Hirko Tayana, Vancouver 42

Gig Harbor, WA

⇑⇓ BUT SERIOUSLY I received an 'official' renewal notice in the mail the other day and I was puzzled as I had renewed for multiple years

Page 36 • Latitude 38 • April, 2018

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