Captain's Blog

This is the place for news and casual rants from your webmaster...

RECENT NEWS:

We Need Your Help! The community is very thankful for the letters some of you wrote supporting the efforts concerning the no-wake zone for Twelve Mile Island (below). As of August, we need more! To make it simple, please download the following form, pass it around your boating friends and return it via mail (address on form): UPDATE: Several of us have met in early 2010 to discuss future efforts--check back for details.

12_Mile_Petition.pdf (31k)

Harrod's Creek Boat Owners Association

Looking to meet more boaters? The Harrod's Creek Boat Owners Association (HCBOA) sent me a copy of their membership application that is available for download. President Mark Windhorst reports, "New boaters would find it a great help to become part of a boating group and attend boating events." They have several annual events to include a Poker Run, Dinghy Run and Christmas Party.

Following is a link to the form as well as their website:

HCBOA Membership Application (309K .pdf)
HCBOA Schedule of Events (902K .pdf)
HCBOA Website: link

Miscellaneous Comments

February, 2012

Are you aware of the proposed fleeting proposal for the area at the south end of Six Mile Island and associated public comment period? Check out this page from "Local Knowledge" for more information: link

January, 2012

23rd: While the rest of us were shrink-wrapping... Here are a few pictures sent in by Capt. Richard Smith, who keeps his Grand Banks 42 at Rose Island. He pointed his boat downriver, and after 2600 miles, 25 locks and a half day of 12-14 ft. seas, they arrived safely on Grand Bahama Island near Freeport.

9th: Congratulations go out to the Leggett family, who layed the "Whiskey Plank" on the hull of their 24' Carolina fishing boat project! You may recall that they started from a kit just over a year ago. What an awesome family project!

8th: Thanks to Sgt. Glaser (ret.) for sending in the following picture of the new marina under construction at River Park Place:

1st: Happy New Year!

December, 2011

25th: Merry Christmas!

November, 2011

30th: Check out this awesome picture of steam fog, taken just east of Brandenburg. Thanks to Kathryn Grubb for the submission.

October, 2011

9th: DVR Alert! The Madison Regatta coverage for 2011 will be shown on the Versus channel at 4:00 p.m. Sunday October 9th. Sorry for the short notice!

August, 2011

25th: For a change of pace, we got to enjoy a nice afternoon on a sailboat. Thanks to the Shulls for their hospitality!

18th: Don Dahl, from the North Oldham Fire Department, sent a report on a recent refueling fire on Riverside Drive. For more information, see the August Newsletter: link

July, 2011

28th: You asked for it and we delivered! Now available - Slips for Sale on the PortKY.com website. My goal was to get the interface set up to cover all the slips in the area and to do it right the first time.

We'll list slips for anywhere within the McApline pool (Louisville to Carrolton), and feature extended information covering the 993 slips in our largest marinas. Check it out here.

Now Available - Slips for Sale! Where else can you see all the slips at one time within the Louisville area and McAlpine pool of the Ohio River? Premiere Listings feature additional information such as slip diagrams, size information and the embedded Google Earth interface. More information: link

4th: Hoping everybody had a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend! We had a great trip up to Madison for the Regatta. Saw lots of old friends and made as many new ones. Looking forward to doing it again some time! See the Port KY River Forum for more pictures.

June, 2011

16th: Two boats were broken into at Marina Village last night. At least one of them was missing items such as a TV and DVD player. Keep your eyes out for uninvited guests!

May, 2011

28th: Wishing everybody a safe and pleasant Memorial Day weekend!

18th: Now available: Vessel Traffic! Check it out using the link to the left.

1st: It has been confirmed that the Utica Cove restrictions have been delayed until May 15th due to flooding.

April, 2011

27th: How high will it go???? Here are some more April flooding pics sent in as the level approached 33' at McAlphine Upper: link

Photo courtesy Gary Katz

26th: With all the rain, even trailer boaters need to check their boats. Here are a few pictures from a local storage yard:

16th: Here are some pics from the recent flooding. The Indiana folks need a jon boat, while the Rose Island people are the only ones with dry feet this week. This is the link to the whole set: link

13th: Looks like Thunder is a wash for boaters. The news reported last night that the LMPD River Patrol and USCG are recommending that boaters stay off the river during the high water conditions.

11th: With Thunder only days away, I've updated the information on "How to Interpret the NOAA Hydrographs" with a specific example and detailed explanations from Skip Davidson (ret.) from the USACE. Here's a link to that article. Thanks, Skip!

5th: The new "River Cards" have been printed and distributed. You can pick them up at Marine Sales & Service*, Kentuckiana Yacht Sales*, Sea Ray of Louisville* and Arnolds (Service Counter).

One of the store employees recently told me that they use the card as a guide for new boaters who come in asking what they need and where to boat. I am happy that they've proven useful as a resource and starting point, and am always glad to see one on the dash of a stranger's boat. I have paid extra for quality materials and UV protection, which is money well-spent.

1st: Word has it that the authorities will start dockside vessel safety checks this spring, to include sobriety checks and required documentation of all passengers and the vessel itself. These are legal under the Code of Federal Regulations and because the boat is in the water. Oh, and also because it's April Fool's Day ;)

March, 2011

13th: Congratulations to the 2011 PortKY-sponsored Captain's Class (OUPV) by True Courses. Here they are after completing the OUPV Course:

Above, Instructor Capt. Jim Sinclair (left), next to Capt. Allen Gailor '09 and the 2011 class.

USCG Oath and Notary

Capt. Joe Frith '10 filming some of the evening's events for his next podcast. Below, Tammy interviews David Mann for the show.

6th: Thanks to Capt. Joe Frith for sending in these pictures of the flooding at Captain's Quarters Marina. The river level at McAlpine Upper was 20' when these were taken.

5th: I had the opportunity to greet Louisville's latest group of captains as they kicked of the Port KY-sponsored True Courses OUPV Class of 2011 in Louisville. There were ten in attendance, nine of whom boat locally. Enjoy the class, guys!

1st: I have updated the "Local Knowledge" page with links to expanded information on the coves in Utica and Bethlehem.

February, 2011

22nd: Looks like a croc was found along the banks of the Ohio River. You can spot it if you look carefully... (Thanks to Janet B. for sending in)

21st: The Louisville Sail and Power Squadron is offering a piloting class starting March 1st, 2011, at Cunningham's Creekside on River Road. More information: link

14th: Happy Valentines Day!

13th: Would you like to attend a boat safety class? These are required for ages 12-17 to operate a vessel of over 10 hp. or a PWC on KY waterways, and could result in insurance discounts for everybody else. See the "Events" page for no fewer than four upcoming classes in the next two months.

January, 2011

26th: Last night was the first night of the Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow. It was fun getting out there to see several old friends that I haven't seen since the end of the boating season! Check out the Forum for more information.

Pre-2011 Comments and Pictures: (link)

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