Newsletter 1/28/03

WEST MOVES EAST

If you have not already heard West Marine purchased BOATUS for an estimated amount of seventy-six million. It will be business as usual for both West Marine and BOATUS for 2003 where the boating population is concerned. This will give West Marine time, over the coming year to sort out the computer systems and inventories. Only the merchandise portion was purchased. The original owner of BOATUS retained the Insurance and Towing division.

With the suppliers to the boaters all being consolidated into one corporation our choices are being limited now to a single source. This can have a strong impact on our future pricing of marine related items. In other words, we will have to pay a set price with little to no comparison shopping left available to the boaters. I believe this would be better called a monopoly.

Personally I feel very uncomfortable with this arrangement. If you feel the same, e-mail me at hotline@fomc.net. I would be interested in your comments. Before we get caught up in this issue we may need to voice our opinion to a higher power like our Congressmen.

This is not just a Chicago issue it is National if not World wide. West Marine is purchasing more and more from China, reproducing products made in the United States and duplicating them offshore. We need to stay on top of this one!

HARBOR INFO

This year Westrec plans to improve the pump-out system in Chicago’s Harbors by adding new pump-out locations to the existing ones. There will be a new pump-out at, Montrose, Belmont, Diversey and two in Burnham Harbor. There will be two replaced, one at Jackson Inner and Outer.

The type of system that was originally purchased operated with a vacuum. The new type will have a centrifugal pump. The boaters have had trouble in the past with the vacuum system, though somewhat faster, if not properly operated the vacuum would leak out and the system would go down. This frustrated most of us. However the new pump style works on demand and should eliminate the problems we had in the past. Not to mention the boaters will have more locations. Let the choice be yours.

BOATERS, BE FOREWARNED!

The City has mandated that every boat in the Chicago Harbor system turn in a certificate of compliance to the Park District through Westrec. It must state that your boat is not capable of discharging your waste overboard into the lake or river. Westrec will inform us on the certificate, how it will be acquired and when it must be turned in. Your boat yard should be able to disable your discharge valve or pump. They need to state, after they inspect your vessel, that you do not have working discharge capabilities. Westrec will put this document into your file.

All boats over fifty feet will face mandatory repeated inspections as well. A random check will take place over the summer with all other boats.

These inspections took place in the past, with hefty fines as well as the impounding of some boats. The ordinance is on the books. The focus lately was on new harbors and better pump-outs. However that does not change the fact that pollution is still closing beaches. Once what was an option is standard on many boats built today. That option, an overboard discharge, is a means to pump out your holding tank overboard at any given time. You will be required to secure the discharge valve from opening with a Park District tag. If

removed, you would be in violation of the law. Discharging into fresh water is a very serious offense. City, State and Federal penalties could be imposed. This may sound troublesome, however having lived through this before, it is relatively a simple matter, if you comply. A mailing from Westrec will explain what to do.

HOW CAN BOATERS BE HELPED?

WHO CAN HELP THE BOATERS?

WHY DO WE NEED THEM?

There is a new organization formed on the Lakefront this year, called Boaters PAC. PAC stands for, Political Action Committee. This organization will seek support from politically involved people such as Aldermen. If the boaters concerns are their concerns, this organization will support them financially and through volunteer efforts of its members.

All 501C3 organizations such as Yacht Clubs, FOMC and the CYA cannot, based on their charters, be involved with political issues or support those involved politically. However having a PAC organization as an option gives you an opportunity that the other organizations cannot offer you.

Each and every organization serves a unique purpose to the Marine Community. Every one of them is needed to improve your boating peace of mind. Needless to say the one taboo faced by the other organizations, that Boaters PAC offers, is that it completes your lakefront ties to the political powers to be, in City Hall.

If it needs to go above Westrec and the Park District than maybe Boaters PAC is that political side you may need to support as well. The more organizations you have on your side the better chance you have to change things in your favor. Remember the “Mooring Tax”? A few Aldermen as your friends, would have made it easier.

Captain Sonny Lisowski, President, FOMC