Community Updates

CIRCA 1870 GOODBREA D HOUSE

BED & BREAKFAST INN

Four andard gue r ms & two suites, all wi large private ba r ms. ay wi us and visit Cumberland Island and hi oric . Marys! Pet friendly. Dietary needs met.

Call for special Southern Tides Rates! (912) 882-7490

www.g dbreadhouse.com info@g dbreadhouse.com 209 Osborne . . Marys, Georgia

Safe Harbor

Rigging Services, LLC

Proudly Serving Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida

231-578-5087

info@safeharborriggingservices.com www.safeharborriggingservices.com John S. Ramsey, Owner

Beware of USCG Vessel Documentation Scams

The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising boaters with vessels that have a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. mail offering renewal.

BoatUS advises that while the Coast Guard does send official annual renewal notices by U.S. mail, other notices being received by members are not from the Coast Guard but rather third-party companies whose name or return addresses may appear similar to that of the official USCG National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC).

BoatUS members have complained that these letters direct them to websites that may be mistaken for the actual Coast Guard NVDC located in Falling Waters, West Virginia, and appear to show a significant increase in the annual fee to renew Coast Guard documentation.

In 2017 the Coast Guard issued a bulletin that says in part:

“The NVDC is aware that there are commercial entities that offer to manage the certification/renewal process on behalf of vessel owners for a fee. The Coast Guard does not endorse any of these companies, and the companies do not operate on behalf of the Coast Guard in any way. Any fees charged or agreements offered by such companies are in no way associated with the NVDC certification process. In addition, these companies are not authorized to issue any form of documentation, including travel letters and/ or permits that authorize operation of ANY vessel. Customer complaints can be made through the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website at www.ftc.gov/.”

While third-party companies may legitimately provide services to assist with vessel documentation renewals, the Coast Guard’s own renewal process is simple for most vessels and the price, $26 annually, is often much lower than what third-party services may charge. To renew, go to the Coast Guard National Documentation Center website at www. uscg.mil/nvdc and click on “instructions and forms,” then “Certificate of Documentation Application for Renewal.” BoatUS notes that the Coast Guard NVDC now also offers renewal options up to five years for recreational vessels only.

To be documented, a vessel must measure at least five net tons and, with the exception of certain oil-spill response vessels, owned by a U.S. citizen. Boats about 27 feet in length or longer generally meet the weight requirement.

BoatUS also advises boaters who may have received mail that they believe is misleading or deceptive to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or through its website: postalinspectors.uspis.gov.

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant will be hosting virtual events geared around coastal ecology.

Bird-friendly Native Landscapes for Coastal Georgia

January 28

Join us for a free webinar to learn how to create bird-friendly landscapes and inspire environmental wonder and stewardship in your coastal community. EcoScapes Sustainable Land Use Program Manager Keren Giovengo will talk about the relationships between native plants and insects, the importance of insects to birds, and ways you can improve your landscapes to encourage birds and other wildlife. By creating a native plant garden, your patch of habitat can become part of a larger, collective effort to nurture and sustain living landscapes for birds and other animals.

A Day in the Life of a Marine Geologist

January 30

Learn about the movement of water in our oceans by tuning into a presentation by Erika Gainey, a student at College of Charleston. Gainey will talk about her experience as a marine geologist. Geology is the study of Earth, and all the processes that make our planet function and look the way it does today, and has throughout history. Learn about the technology, equipment, science, and practices geologists use as they work with water in the field through real life examples from Erika’s research in both marine and hydrogeology.

Diamondback Terrapin Conservation in Georgia

February 11, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Diamondback terrapins are one of the only North American turtles to spend their entire life cycle in the salt marsh. Beautifully patterned and well adapted to the extremes of living in an estuary, these turtles are ambassadors for the marsh and at risk from human activity. Learn about terrapin conservation and education during a virtual public program that counts towards the Coastal Stewards program. The program will feature Carolyn McInerney, the founder of the Diamondback Terrapin Rescue Project. This project works to protect terrapin nests laid on Skidaway Island and has released 15,000 hatchlings since it was founded. This program will will also include a virtual encounter with a diamondback terrapin, one of the UGA Aquarium’s animal ambassadors. For more information and to register visit: gacoast.uga.edu/events/

Ken’s Seafood

Oysters Shrimp Fish Gator Tail Crawfish Blue Crabs Scallops And More! Support Your Local Seafood Industry! FRESH!

Tue - Thu 12-6 Fri - Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5 9270 Ford Ave. Richmond Hill

(912) 756-8868

Call Ahead For Oysters!

ADVERTISE in SOUTHERN TIDES

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January 2021

• Highly competitive rates • Our readers are your target market • Long-term discounts available • Veteran discounts available • Social media promotions included • Co-op design and billing available • Need something else? Just ask!

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