Emirates Team New Zealand hit 44.15 knots, or 50.8 miles an hour, on San Francisco Bay as the Kiwis sailed alone to collect another point in the Louis Vuitton Cup for challengers.

Meaning of Waterway and Wakeless Speed

Waterway means:  Any body of water on which a watercraft can be navigated on.

Wakeless speed means: A speed that does not create a wake, and is no more the five mile per hour.

Emirates Team New Zealand overcame the loss of its jib early in the race and routed Italy’s Luna Rossa in their second head-to-head matchup in the series.

The Definition of Watercraft:  Watercraft is any boat designed to be propelled on water by machinery, oars, paddles, or wind action upon a sail.

A lawsuit by a North Carolina-based sailing team claims that the Golden Gate Yacht Club, holder of the America’s Cup trophy, did not reject its application to compete in good faith.

There is some concern regarding the release of oil by recreational motorboats, particularly with older vessels that drain excessive fuel from the crankcase directly into the water. However, vessels manufactured since 1972 usually have scavenging devices that recycle the lost fuel and reduce oil throughput. Therefore, with regard to boating-related emissions, most researchers are concerned about the release of BTEX compounds (the primary constituents of gasoline), MTBE (a combustion-enhancing fuel additive) and PAHs.

Several studies suggest a correlation between BTEX, MTBE and PAH field concentrations and motorized recreational vessel use. These concentrations often increase throughout the summer boating season (May to September), with distinct spikes occurring after peak boating dates such as the Fourth of July and Labor Day (Allen et al. 1998; Allen and Reuter 1999; Miller and Fiore 1997; Oris et al. 1998; Reuter et al. 1998).

These tend to diminish within weeks or months after the boating season and, given our present understanding of aquatic ecosystems, do not appear to significantly degrade overall water quality (Revelt 1994; Warrington 1999). However, BTEX compounds, MTBE and PAHs have been linked to acute and chronic toxicity in fish (Balk et al. 1994; Juettner et al. 1995; Tjaernlund et al. 1995, 1996) and may adversely affect fish growth and zooplankton survival and reproduction (Oris et al. 1998).

Moreover, they may impact the surface microlayers found at the air-water and sediment-water interfaces. These ecologically vital layers support bacterial colonies that influence aquatic nutrient levels and sustain the planktonic and larval communities necessary to uphold aquatic ecosystems. They also serve as a spawning ground for many sport fish. Therefore, surface microlayers may be vulnerable to small and/or temporary increases in recreational boating-related pollutants (Warrington 1999; Von Westerhagen et al. 1987).

Eight people were hospitalized on Monday June 2013 after an explosion and a fire on a boat on the South River near Edgewater, fire officials said. Keith Swindle, a division chief with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, said the owner had just refueled the 32-foot pleasure boat at the Oak Grove Marina when the engine stalled. While the owner was trying to restart the engine, Mr. Swindle said, an explosion and a flash fire occurred. Natural Resources Police officials said three children were taken to the burn unit at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. Five other people on board, including children, were taken to nearby hospitals. The authorities said their injuries were not life-threatening.

Madrid:  In hard times like these, everyone has to make sacrifices. And King Juan Carlos of Spain wanted it known that he was doing his part, too. However,  businesspeople who gave the $27 million, 136-foot yacht to King Juan Carlos of Spain 13 years ago want him to return it rather than give it to the government.

Through studies mandated in 1990, the EPA has concluded that the gasoline-powered engines found on motorboats, jetboats and PWC comprise about 30% of all nonroad emissions. Furthermore, in areas with extensive boating populations, marine engines alone can account for 10% of all hydrocarbon emissions. Consequently, in 1996, the EPA established new air emission standards for all gasoline-powered marine engines.

These standards are being phased in from 1998-2006 and should reduce the hydrocarbon emissions of these engines by 75% in 2025 (US EPA 1996). In addition to these federal standards, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted a more stringent set of regulations to address that state’s massive boating population and extreme air quality problems.

CARB requires marine engine manufacturers to reduce their hydrocarbon emissions by 75% on 2001 models and by 90% on 2008 models (CARB 1998). Neither the EPA nor the CARB standards apply to engine models pre-dating the restrictions.

Annapolis-based explorer and sailor Matt Rutherford was honored for his incredible solo journey circumnavigating North and South America aboard a sailboat. At first glance his accomplishment seems daring but when you take into consideration the dangerous northern waterways, his lack of modern equipment (and probably boat insurance) and his relentless endurance it is truly awe inspiring and a little terrifying.

The Ocean Cruising Club awarded him the Jester Medal for his successful record-breaking and breath-taking journey of more than 27,000 miles in 309 days. This medal is given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to single-handed sailing.

It is easy to see why Rutherford qualifies for the Jester Medal. He is the first person to sail a route around the Americas by himself without stopping. To consider that he accomplished this without radar aboard a nearly 40-year-old, donated Albin Vega sailboat measuring just 27 feet in length is courageous bordering on the suicidal.

To put this in perspective for the uninitiated in the ways of exploration and danger, Rutherford navigated some of the world’s most difficult and dangerous waterways, including the perilous Cape Horn and the famously difficult Northwest Passage. One can only hope that he had adequate sailboat insurance through a reputable marine insurance agency!

The first explorer who survived navigating the Northwest Passage was a Norwegian by the name of Roald Amundsen. He took much longer than Rutherford, completing his voyage from 1903 to 1906 – achieving international attention and adulation for his three-year odyssey – but Amundsen did so aboard a larger vessel with a small crew.

Not only did Rutherford complete his journey in less than one year, alone, he didn’t even have the money, according to media reports, for proper waterproof headgear – using a paintball mask instead. He endured grinding, solitude and unending hard work aboard the modest sailboat he named the Saint Brendan after an early explorer – and evidently wise choice for a patron saint.

Rutherford demonstrated incredible courage, endurance and skill, but that’s not all. He has proven to be incredibly kind by using the voyage as a way to also fundraise for a charity dear to his heart. He raised thousands of dollars for an Annapolis, MD, non-profit association he worked with that helps get people with disabilities out boating called the Chesapeake Regional Accessible Boating (CRAB).

Rutherford’s voyage is well detailed on his boat trip website. Documentary filmmakers are working to finish a chronicle of his death-defying marine feat called, Red Dot on the Ocean.

If you have a policy for a recreational or pleasure boat you cannot decide to go into business without adjusting your insurance coverage. If you charge for carrying passengers or use of the boat’s services, you have ventured into the territory of commercial boating enterprise and could render your recreational policy invalid. Some insurance carriers offer temporary charter coverage, but you may have to change to a commercial policy.

A reputable and qualified marine insurance company will have a well-educated staff and be equipped to handle special circumstances. You will be able to trust that you have the insurance coverage you require for when and how you use your pleasure boat. If you have any questions, the agent should be able to answer them fully and indicate if there are any exclusions or items that could impact your coverage. For instance, who is allowed to operate the boat?

Additionally, a skilled agent will also be able to give you advice about additional coverage that could be beneficial given your unique circumstances or let you know what boating courses will qualify you for discounted policy rates.

In the world of marine insurance there are two options for valuing a boat and you need to understand the difference.

Agreed value – A policy with an “agreed value” will cost a bit more up front but they cover a partial or total loss of your pleasure boat at a certain dollar amount. In other words, there is no process whereby the boat can be said to have depreciated over time.

Actual cash value – A policy with an “actual cash value” will be less expensive but if the boat is considered totaled depreciation will be taken into consideration when determining the amount you will receive. Essentially the insurer will determine what your boat was worth at the time of the incident.

The liability coverage for recreational boating policies is known as protection and indemnity. This will typically include expenses for things like wreck removal, salvage fees or pollution damage.

There are seemingly endless pleasure boat insurance options. Different companies can offer very different coverage options and there can be a lot of details involved so if you don’t already have a good relationship with a boat insurance company the task of determining what boat insurance you need and which policy is best on your own can seem daunting.