Casco Bay Summer Time Parade of Lights

Casco Bay
Summer Time
Parade of Lights
Information & Instructions
“Toys for Tots” Benefit
2014
Ahoy, The boating community of Casco Bay has partnered with the South Portland Lion’s Club and “Toys for Tots” in participating in a lighted boat parade on the date of July 5, 2014. The mission of the Parade is to stimulate boating activity on Casco Bay by spending creative time decorating our boats and showing them off to each other and spectators alike in the name of helping others who are less fortunate. There is an entry fee to participate in this sea side extravaganza of minimally two unwrapped toys per boat. If you are able to carry multiple passengers on your vessel, the more toys are encouraged. The toys will be collected to benefit the charitable organization of "Toys for Tots”. All toys collected will remain local and benefit families within our communities. Toys For Tots The mission of the “Toys for Tots” program "is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted." Designated toy collection points have been established throughout the area for this event. Collection boxes have been placed at the following locations and toys may be dropped off beginning Thursday July 3rd until Monday, July 7th when the collection boxes will be picked up.  Aspasia Marina: 257 Front Street, South Portland, Maine.  Centerboard Yacht Club: 271 Front Street, South Portland, Maine.  DiMillo’s Marina: 1 Long Warf, Portland, Maine.  Gowen Marine: 400 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine.  Hamilton Marine: 100 Fore Street, Portland, Maine.  Port Harbor Marina: 1 Spring Point Drive, South Portland, Maine.  Portland Yacht Service: 58 Fore Street, Portland, Maine.  South Port Marine: 14 Ocean Street, South Portland, Maine.  Sunset Marina: 231 Front Street, South Portland, Maine.  West Marine: 127 Marginal Way, Portland, Maine. If one is unable to drop toys off, at one of the pre‐ designated locations, arrangements may be made to drop toys off at the staging area, prior to the parade. Please contact: Shawn Welch: “Committed II” via VHF Channel 72 or 207‐838‐5605 for arrangements. Sincerely, Shawn C. Welch (207)838‐5605 Email: scwelch@maine.rr.com www.toysfortotsspringvale.org https://www.facebook.com/pages/Toys-For-Tots-Southern-York-County Toys for Tots Coordinator Carol Lombard
Parade Times:
 Saturday, July 5, 2014
 Staging Area: Anchorage A
o Arrive by 8:00 PM
 Parade begins at 9:00 PM
 Tide: High @ 5:33 PM
 Sunset: 8:26 PM
 Rain Date: Saturday, July 12, 2014
 If July 4th Fireworks are postponed until July 5th due to adverse conditions the Parade will
be moved to the Rain Date of July 12, 2014.
 The announcement for any postponement will be given via VHF Radio Channel 72 at
6:00 PM the day of the Parade and subsequently every half hour until 8:00 PM.
USCG “Special Local Regulations”:
 The Coast Guard designates the parade route as a special marine event. A local regulation
has been issued. Refer to local “Notice to Mariners” for additional information.
Patrol / Safety Vessels:
 Portland Harbor Master: 2 Boats
 Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla: 2 Boats
 Sea Tow: 1 Boat
Safety Tips:
 All participants must strictly comply with inland Rules of the Road.
 Necessary navigation lighting requirements and safety precautions must be observed.
 Headway speed during parade. (Approximately 5 knots)
 Stay in the parade line. Do not weave and maintain safe distance from other vessels.
 Do not drink. The designated skipper shall refrain from consuming alcohol.
Staging Area:
 The staging area is Anchorage A
 43 40 16 N Lat. / 70 13 45 W Lon.
 Arrive by 8:00 PM
 Monitor VHF Channel 72 for Parade information & instructions.
 There is no line up assignment. First arrivals will line up first.
 Lead Boat will be designated with a flashing “Blue Light”
Radio Communication:
 At 8:15 PM a parade briefing will be conducted on VHF Channel 72 by “Committed II”.
 Monitor VHF Channel 72 during the parade and follow any instructions.
 In case of Emergency during the parade announce it on VHF Channel 16.
Disabled Vessels & Emergencies:
 If you have a problem and must leave the parade, turn off your decorating lights and pull
out of the parade line.
 If decorating lights fail, pull out of the parade line. Re-enter when fixed.
 If you have an emergency and need immediate assistance notify United States Coast
Guard on Channel 16.
Parade Route: (See Attached Chart)
 Starting:
 Proceed:
 Proceed:




Proceed:
Proceed:
Proceed:
Ending:
43 40 16 N Lat. / 70 13 45 W Lon.
G “1” Fl G 4s along the Portland side of the Fore River toward the
Casco Bay Bridge until the Coast Guard Base.
Coast Guard Base along the South Portland side of the Fore River to
G “5” Fl G 4s.
G “5” Fl G 4s to G ‘3” Fl G 4s.
G “3” Fl G 4s to G “1” Fl G 2.5s
G “1” Fl 2.5s to 43 30 04 N Lat. / 70 13 14 W Lon.
43 30 04 N Lat. / 70 13 14 W Lon.
Parade Completion:
 Turn off your decoration lights.
 Maintain your navigational running lights.
 Yield to boats still in the parade.
 Do not cross through the parade on your way back home.
Optimum Shore side Viewing:
 Mackworth Island, Falmouth
 Eastern promenade, Portland
 Fort Allen Park, Portland
 Maine State Pier, Portland
 Casco Bay Bridge
 South Portland Boat Ramp
 Bug Light Park, South Portland
 Spring Point Light Breakwater, South Portland
 Please show courtesy and be respectful of boats fore and aft. Please allow enough
distance between boats to allow pictures of individual boats to be taken.
Vessel Decorating Tips
Electricity and Water Do Not Mix!
When decorating, be sure to take care in securing the lights and other decorations to your boat. Lights dragging
in the water could shock you and your guests, not to mention what could happen if they get tangled in your
prop(s)!
See and Be Seen
Make sure your navigation lights are visible through your decorations. Also, realize that the more lights you
place in front of your helm/driving position, the more difficult it will be to see ahead of your vessel. Try not to
place lights in your line of vision in order to maintain the ability to navigate safely.
Using Generators
Using portable generators to power your lights can present a number of safety challenges. Carbon Monoxide
from the exhaust can poison you and your crew. Even if the generator is located on deck, fumes could be
“sucked” into cabin hatches or ports, filling the cabin with this invisible, scentless, poison gas. If you have to
use a portable generator, make sure you have a working CO detector, with fresh batteries.
Another risk presented by portable generators is exhaust heat. Make sure the exhaust isn’t directed at a
flammable surface, and that it’s out of the way enough that your crew won’t come in contact with the hot
exhaust outlet.
Overload!
Holiday lights may not present a huge load on your electrical system in and of themselves, but combined with
all of the other loads being used on a boat full of holiday revelers (heat, ovens, interior lighting, etc), you could
end up overloading your boat’s electrical system. Try to spread the load between outlets on multiple circuits or
breakers when routing strings of lights and fixed decorations. Remember to test everything from generator
power at the dock before tossing your lines to head out for the parade. Check extension cords and decorations
to make sure there is no abnormal heat in the wiring.