Change is in the wind.

Trawler Fest travels to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

After docking for years in Solomons, Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic version of Trawler Fest – a combination boat show, educational experience and cruisers’ rendezvous, moves to the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marine Center on September 24-26. One of America’s major seaports since the 1700s, the Inner Harbor is one of the Chesapeake Bay’s top destinations, offering history, nautical culture and many attractions, including the National Aquarium. The Marine Center is a modern marina offering all the favorite amenities, along with affordable dockage. Rates are $2.50 per foot per day, and power is $18 (1/30 amp, 2/30 amp or 1/50 amp).
Trawler Fest seminars will be held at the Hyatt Regency, just a short walk from the marina. This year’s topics include: “Marine Insurance and Surveys,” “How to Set Up a Mobile Office” and “Gunkholing Chesapeake Bay,” among others.
For more information and to register, visit trawlerfest.com.
Stormy day on the Bay
Experienced Bay boaters know afternoon thunderstorms are a common concern on the Chesapeake during the summer. Unfortunately, not everyone boating on the Bay is experienced, and even pros can get into trouble. That was never as clear as on July 25, when the Coast Guard responded to 37 distress calls resulting in more than 77 people being assisted or rescued by eight response crews from six different stations. At 3:05 p.m., National Weather Service Radar indicated a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing winds in excess of 70 mph. A marine broadcast notified mariners to seek shelter immediately. At approximately 3:25 p.m., Sector Baltimore personnel received the first call.
“Storms can turn a normal day out on the boat to a battle of life and death; in one case we literally had victims clinging to a buoy for life,” said Chief Petty Officer Keith Moore, a Sector Baltimore operations specialist.

Pentagon Sailing Club raft-up

Active-duty, retired, and reserve U.S. military personnel and civilian employees of the Department of Defense interested in sailing might want to check out the Pentagon Sailing Club. It’s a volunteer association dedicated to safe recreational sailing on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, the Chesapeake Bay, and wherever the winds take its members. The club operates out of Capitol Cove Marina on Bolling Air Force Base and maintains a fleet of club-owned sailboats. It also offers sailing instruction, recreational sailing and club charters.
This year’s activities include a Labor Day raft-up, September 4-6, on the Corsica River, a beautiful tributary off the Chesapeake I like to frequent. Raft-up entertainment will include ghost stories, food and drink. From there, sailors will head up the Bay to the Sailing Emporium in Rock Hall and enjoy a Sunday dinner at Waterman’s Crab House.
Find out more at pentagonsailing.org.