The Harbor Column:

Ahoy,

Great news for boaters — and yes, you do make a difference when you make your voice heard.

What am I talking about? Once again, the attack on the California Department of Boating and Waterways to dissolve Cal Boating by the state legislators has been avoided because of the enormous outcry from the boating community.

Boaters, also, know that the real reason to eliminate Cal Boating is to steal Cal Boating’s dedicated fund source that is funded exclusively by boaters.

The idea is to grab the money and put the funds into the black hole called the General Fund.

We are talking about tens of millions of dollars that Cal Boating uses for boating infrastructure, marine law enforcement, boater education, yacht broker licensing and much more that directly affect boating in Newport Harbor.

However, boaters have become wise from the past attempts to steal the funds, and now boaters want to see the money spent as specified on boating projects and education.

Boaters need to keep up the pressure, as this is not 100% off the table yet. Your letters, e-mails and calls to your state representative and the governor are important.

Tip of the week is for boaters who have a FCC-issued Marine Radio Operator’s Permit, and this includes captains operating commercial vessels and all recreational U.S. documented vessels in international cruising outside U.S. waters.

Many boaters in Newport Harbor have the permit, and I am surprised the number of boaters who do not know that they need the permit to voyage across the border to the south into Mexico and north into Canada aboard their recreational boats.

Newly issued permits are good for life and do not have to be renewed every five years.

If your permit had not expired as of March 25, 2008, then it is good for life, but your permit will still list an expiration date that can be confusing to a boarding party.

You can receive a new permit free from the FCC if you need to make any changes on your existing permit like your phone number or e-mail address.

You can request a change to your permit online at www.fcc.gov, and the new permit will not list an expiration date.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to [email protected] or go to www.boathousetv.com .