Releases – May 22, 2014
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will join with the National Safe Boating Council to promote National Safe Boating Week. The week will encourage a safer recreational boating experience through education, outreach and training.
Simple steps help ensure safety, said Maj. Chris Huebner, the state boating safety coordinator. His boating safety tips include the following recommendations: (1) Do not operate a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and do not maneuver in a reckless manner; (2) Follow all navigational rules while underway; and (3) Wear a personal flotation device, better known as a life vest, while on the water.
“It’s the one recommendation—wearing a life vest—that can make the biggest life-or-death difference in the event of an accident,” Huebner said.
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in almost three-fourths of recent recreational boating fatalities, and that 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing a life vest.
“Most people who drown in a boating accident had a life vest available, but they were not wearing it when they entered the water,” Huebner said. “Accidents happen quickly. Too often, there isn’t time or you are unable to locate a life vest and put it on.”
Commission wildlife officers will offer pre-launch courtesy inspections at various public access areas throughout the summer.
“You can do your own pre-launch check as well,” Huebner said. “The webpage www.ncwildlife.org/boating provides a checklist, along with navigational rules and safety requirements.”
One important state regulation requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by a 10-horsepower or greater motor to have completed an approved boating safety education course or otherwise be in compliance. The Commission offers free boating safety education courses throughout the year. For more information, call (919) 707-0031 or visit www.ncwildlife.org/boating.
Surf City Pier will be hosting its 6th Annual Children’s Fishing Competition and Celebration on Friday, July 4, 2014. This event is free and is open to all children under the age of 16 whom are local or visiting Topsail Island. This event will expose these youngsters to the excitement of fishing in a fun, educational, safe, and family-oriented environment.
The first five years of the event have been such a huge success, that Surf City Pier is now in need of donors and donations. For the past five years, the event has had the honor of Pender EMS and the local Volunteer Fire Departments on site to ensure that the children have a fun and safe celebration. The event has also been fortunate enough to offer all the children a Fishing Competition and Celebration t-shirt in addition to other fabulous gifts and prizes that have been donated from area businesses, private individuals, and various fishing wholesale distributors. This year looks to be even bigger and better than in years past.
Surf City Ocean Pier could use your help with this increasingly successful event. As this event continues to grow, they are looking for both volunteers and sponsors. Monetary donations and/or donations of merchandise are always greatly appreciated. With your contribution to the competition/celebration, children from near and far will have a wonderful fun-filled day at Surf City Ocean Pier.
There are currently twelve spots available for sponsors who donate $100 or more to have their name or logo added to the children’s t-shirts. Volunteers will also be needed to help supervise, answer questions, cut bait, identify fish, and teach fishing basics to the young anglers, as well as help with serving lunches. For some of the children, this will be their very first fishing experience, and we hope to make it a memory that will last a lifetime.
Surf City Pier would like to invite you to come out and celebrate and be part of this special day on Topsail Island. If you feel that you are able to help in any way, please feel free to contact Vinita via email at pier_witch@yahoo.com or via phone at the Surf City Ocean Pier at (910) 328-3521.
Young students are exploring and learning about the state’s barrier islands through a hands-on educational program supported by volunteers, a local nonprofit, the state, and the generosity of local businesses.
Nonprofit Masonboro.org president Richard Johnson, in partnership with North Carolina Coastal Reserve, announced expansion of the Masonboro Island Explorer program, designed to mentor and develop future stewards of the Carolina coast.
Beginning April 22 and continuing through the month of May, fifth-graders from Gregory and Sunset Park Elementary schools in New Hanover County will have the opportunity to explore and learn more about the coastal ecosystem.
Lori Davis, educational coordinator for the Reserve, said, “We are pleased to partner with Masonboro.org to provide this unique learning opportunity. Our goal is to develop and deliver activities which align with state educational standards and meet the mission of the Reserve.”
Dr. LaChawn Smith, assistant superintendent of New Hanover County Schools, commented, “The Masonboro Island Explorer program is a fabulous way to get kids out of the classroom to experience first-hand some of the wonderful outdoor educational resources in our back yard. We are grateful to see local organizations come together and provide such great opportunities for our students.”
“We could not offer the Explorer program without the support of local businesses and individuals,” said Johnson. “MarineMax has supported us from the beginning. They totally understand the value of promoting a responsible coastal experience. We are pleased they decided to increase their support.” MarineMax is the program’s key sponsor.
Masonboro.org started the Island Explorer program in 2013 with Wrightsville Beach Elementary School. Cissie Brooks, marine science coordinator at Wrightsville Elementary, developed the curriculum and has since joined the Explorer committee as educational coordinator.
Captain Joe Abbate, known as the Cape Fear naturalist and owner of Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, provided transportation for the 2013 program and will continue providing transportation services this spring. A long-time supporter of fostering stewardship through outdoor education adventures, Captain Joe joined the Masonboro.org Island Explorer committee.
“Our mission is to promote responsible use, protect public access, and preserve the traditions of Masonboro Island,” said Johnson. Masonboro.org is a non-profit organization founded in 2009.
Johnson invites public support to expand the Explorer program by joining the $25 club, enough to send one child on the educational expedition.
“The mission of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve is to promote informed management and stewardship of estuarine and coastal habitats through research, education, and example,” said Davis.
Masonboro Island Reserve is managed by the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, a program of the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management.
U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre recently announced that Congress will authorize an extension of the Carolina Beach renourishment project through the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014.
Congressman McIntyre said, “This is a great victory for Carolina Beach! With the new language included in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, we have successfully created a way to keep sand on the beach and continue to protect our homes, businesses, and communities from the devastating effects of storms. The town of Carolina Beach is a perfect example of a beach nourishment project that has proven its worth over and over again, sustaining our environment and driving our economy upward year after year. Successful projects like these deserve to be renewed! I’m appreciative of all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who helped us finalize this WRRDA bill. This is a tremendous success for the town of Carolina Beach and the countless people who will enjoy our coast in the years to come!”
The fifty-year Carolina Beach renourishment project was set to expire this year, with no method for extension. The WRRDA bill authorizes a three-year extension of coastal storm damage projects which are scheduled to expire in the next five years, including Carolina Beach. In addition, it creates a process by which successful projects can be extended by up to 15 years with the help of federal funds.
Congressman McIntyre recently announced that an additional $2.7 million in congressionally appropriated funds will be available for Carolina Beach to complete this year’s beach nourishment.
Congressman McIntyre introduced legislation known as the BEACH Act to renew this project during the last two sessions of Congress and has made the Carolina Beach nourishment reauthorization one of his top priorities.
It has been seven years since the passage of a WRRDA bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation that authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers’ participation in water-related infrastructure projects.
