JANUARY 2010 • Year 26 Issue 10 ON BOARD… Fishing Health Wave Classifieds 20 Commentary 6 Check out the Reducing stress Event Calendar 16 new ‘Wildcat’ on the job Health Wave 13 Tide Tables 17 5 13 Boaters facing heightened penalties for drinking BY BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL A second time offender faces fines of $500 to $1,000 permitted, no similar law exists for vessels. Law enforce- Waterfront News Writer and up to nine months in jail. With enhanced penalties, it's ment officials advise it's best to leave the booze on shore. Boaters might want to think before they take that $1,000 to $2,000 in fines and up to 12 months in jail, Taking too many sips and getting impaired on the extra drink. Olson said. waterways also increases the chances of getting into an A revision to an existing state law for boating under Statewide, there were 657 reported boating accidents. accident on land. the influence (BUI) increases the odds for operators to Of that number, 54 were fatalities. Drowning is the cause “Often times, when people are boating, they're driv- receive additional fines and jail time. for 70 percent of the deaths. Drug and alcohol-related ing because they are trailering their boat,” Rehwinkel said. Boaters can now receive enhanced penalties if they fatalities made up 29 percent of those fatalities. Or docking and then driving home. exceed the breath/blood alcohol content (BAC) by .15 or “It's still 29 percent too high,” Rehwinkel said. higher. The new rate replaces the old limit of .20 or more, Unlike driving in a car where open containers are not SEE INTOXICATED P. 11. said Brian Rehwinkel, management analyst with the boating and waterways section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Division of Law Enforcement. The ruling took effect July 1. It's basically a house- Record keeping measure by state legislators to correct changes made to the law in 1994, when alcohol content limits for number of both boaters and motorists was lowered from .10 to .08, Rehwinkel said. manatee deaths When the BAC was lowered 15 years ago, a provi- sion for enhanced penalties was placed in the statue but expected did not take into account the revised limit. Until last sum- File photo More manatees have been mer, additional penalties could be applied only if viola- found dead in Florida waters tors were .20 or more, in accordance with the .10 rate. in 2009 than any previous year, The recent measure affects boaters. Legislators according to the Associated Press. already lowered the threshold for motorists to .15 or The Florida Fish and Wildlife greater, said Lt. Scott Olson, a state BUI instructor with Conservation Commission reported that 419 manatee the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission law enforce- carcasses had been found in ment division. state waters as of Dec. 11. The BUI violators can face hefty fines, jail and having preliminary data indicates that their vessel towed. They can also lose their boating privi- the total number of manatee leges and can be required to attend mandatory safety edu- deaths for 2009 has surpassed the highest number on record cation classes. for a calendar year. Totals for First time offenders with a BAC under .15 face fines 2009 are expected to be available of $250 to $500, and up to six months jail time. Penalties on Jan. 6. for a BAC of .15 or higher increase the fines to $1,000 and jail time up to nine months. America’s Cup set for best-of-seven series in February BY PAUL LOGOTHETIS whole race and the same direction,” Alinghi strategist AP Sports Writer Murray Jones told the AP. “I think we could well have ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The quite a few postponements.” America's Cup duel between Alinghi and BMW Oracle is Jones was ready to participate in any number of races, headed for a best-of-seven series despite unpredictable although he preferred a shorter event. weather conditions threatening the schedule. “With more races it kind of drags on for some time A New York court ruled against a Persian Gulf venue and people can lose interest,” the New Zealander said. “A for the Deed of Gift match, which is set to begin in high-impact, short event makes sense.” Valencia on Feb. 8. A New York appeals court ruled that Ras al-Khaimah, Negotiations are ongoing but all sides are committed United Arab Emirates, doesn't qualify under the 19th-cen- to extending the best-of-three matchup. tury Deed of Gift to be the port of choice. The race in “Everyone agrees that it would be best to have it as a Spain will end a long-running courtroom dispute that best-of-seven,” Alinghi spokesman Paco Latorre told The started after Alinghi retained the trophy in July 2007. Associated Press as discussions continued between the Jones is in Ras al-Khaimah preparing to move the teams and the Spanish city over logistics of the event. gigantic catamaran that Alinghi has constructed for the BMW Oracle spokesman Tom Ehman also confirmed matchup as the Swiss team moves out of its Emirates base. that desire in late December. There's no animosity toward the American crew, But a planned Valentine's Day finale may not happen which has challenged the two-time winner's interpretation due to the coastal city's unstable February wind, which of the rules since Alinghi crossed the finish line to close AP Photo/LENNY IGNELZI will pose a challenge to sailing crews and organizers alike. the 32nd edition. BMW Oracle Racing's America's Cup trimaran, with its “The wind conditions are unsettled and variable. new 190-foot wing sail, takes a test run around San “It's a grudge match between the teams of lawyers, Diego Bay in November. We're expecting the wind not to be consistent during the not between the two sailing teams,” Jones said. 2 WATERFRONT-NEWS.COM JANUARY 2010 LIVE ABOARDS WELCOME! 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AMPLE PARKING • LAUNDRY For expert advice, parts and service, contact us: SHOWERS • WI-FI AVAILABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MARINE SERVICES •— NO BRIDGES —• 111A SW 23rd Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315 • 1-800-522-2656 or 954-522-2626 Catch the new Health Wave 629 NE 3rd Street page 13 Dania, Florida 33004 (954) 923-5900 www.RoyalePalm.com Fax (954) 923-7661 JANUARY 2010 WATERFRONT-NEWS.COM 3 Boater fondly recalls looking for scallops in Crystal River Close-Up. Who’s who among South Florida’s boaters? Meet the people working and enjoying the boating lifestyle in a monthly feature that asks readers to share just what it is that makes boating in Florida personal. If you would like to tell your story, please e-mail Fort Lauderdale boater [email protected]. Use the words “Close-Up” Bryan Muller, 45, hopes to one day sail to Venezuela in the subject line and include your name and phone num- and back. ber where you can be reached during the day. You can also fax 954-524-9464 or write to Close-Up, The Waterfront News, 1515 SW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33315. Meet Bryan Muller, 45, a technician who lives in Fort Lauderdale. Type and name of boat: A 13-foot Boston whaler called The Crow’s Nest Who accompanies you when taking the boat out? Fort Lauderdale. Why did you choose this particular boat? Usually my wife, Becky, and always our dog, Shyla. Best adventure so far? I’d always wanted a whaler since I was a kid. How did you get involved in boating? Boating in the Gulf by Crystal River looking for scallops. Where is it docked? My parents had a boat when I was growing up. What would be your dream trip? Behind our house. What’s the one item that you can't live without on So many dreams… One would be to boat to Favorite local spots to take your boat? your boat? Venezuela and back. Bill Keith Park, Lake Silvia and anywhere on the New Buffett music. What annoys you about boating in South Florida? River. Scariest experience on the water? I think inconsiderate boaters are a popular answer A very rough crossing from Bimini. We had a here, but I’m going to say all the manatee zones. northerly wind with huge seas in a little boat. What do you like most? Furthest distance traveled? The weather. ALUMINUM My Dad and I brought his boat from Norfolk, Va. to — As told to Jennifer Heit Boat Repairing ■ Travelift Service to 60 Ft. • Leaning Posts • T-Tops & Painting ■ Fiberglass, Gelcoat • Ladders • Railings & Painting • Arches • Towers ■ Mechanical Repairs ■ Survey Haulouts ■ Bottom Painting NEW RIVER WELDING AND FABRICATION ■ 5 minutes to Inlet 3100 State Road 84 Unit 203 Ft.