Chesapeake Bay News

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services and Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore held a ribbon cutting on September 24 to officially open the newly renovated marina located in the Inner Harbor.

The project included concrete piers which were recycled from the Inner Harbor Marina to enhance the existing marine facility. The newly configured dock layout will accommodate a larger number of people, allows for easier wheelchair access onto vessels, and provides more space for larger boats. The entire facility is designed to meet ADA requirements.

The total project cost was $300,000. State grants were provided through the DNR Waterway Improvement Fund. Revenue for the Fund comes from the one-time 5 percent excise tax paid when a boat is titled in the State of Maryland.

source: MD DNR

Baltimore County has nearly completed the Pleasure Island dredging and beach replenishment project paid for by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its partners. Using a combination of Waterway Improvement funds from DNR, federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, and funds from the Maryland Port Administration, this project will restore safe access to the navigation channel for recreational and commercial vessels.

“This is truly money well spent since it supports Baltimore County’s vibrant recreational boating industry while enhancing water quality and providing habitat for marine life,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. ”This project will improve the waters of the county and the Chesapeake Bay.”

Baltimore County dredged the channel between the Miller’s Island Community and Pleasure Island to a depth of -8 foot mean lower low water (mllw) and will use the dredge material to create a beach behind a series of offshore segmented breakwaters and sills along the south shoreline of Pleasure Island. The newly created beach will be stabilized with wetland vegetation. The total shoreline length is about 2,200 feet.

Additionally, the county constructed a groin along the north side of the Island at Hawk Cove to help trap sand that was deposited in the channel.

The next step in the project is to plant wetland vegetation on the beach of Pleasure Island to create a living shoreline, improving water quality and clarity. Additionally, the project will reduce the need for maintenance dredging of the Pleasure Island channel known as “the cut.”

Of the $4.7 million project cost, the Waterway Improvement Fund contributed about $1.9 million. The Waterway Improvement Fund is funded by the 5 percent excise tax that boaters pay when they register a boat in Maryland. The Port Administration contributed $100,000 and the remaining costs were covered by the federal ARRA.

The project will benefit thousands of recreational and commercial boaters by restoring boating access and improving navigation of the Pleasure Island channel. “The cut” is used as a safe navigation channel to access protected waters.

source: MD DNR

You Don’t Want To Miss this Sails Event!

Take a break from winter at SailFest January 21-25 during the Baltimore Boat Show. Chesapeake area sailing businesses have come together to create an island of sailing fun. It will be warm in the Baltimore Convention Center, and the sailing community will be there in full force.

At this year’s SailFest, activities will include Seminars, the Tiki Bar and Beach, Radio-Controlled Boat Racing, Industry Pros Ready To Answer Questions, Sailing Footage on the Big Screen, Kids’ Cove and RC Sailing

Visitors can spend some time chatting up the local boat dealers without any pressure. Saturday will be Sailing Club Day at the show where boating and sailing clubs can share information with other clubs and potential new members.

SpinSheet Magazine and SailFest are hosting a Sailor’s Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. at the show, including door prizes, cool camaraderie, and a chance to wet your whistle. For more details about the Show, visit baltimoreboatshow.com.

Area’s longest running boat show docks at Baltimore Convention Center January 21-25, 2009

The 2009 Baltimore Boat Show, Maryland’s largest and longest running indoor boating event, is returning January 21-25, 2009, packing the Baltimore Convention Center with hundreds of boats and marine accessories at the best deals of the year.  The Show offers visitors more boats, more exhibits, and more family fun than ever before.

WHEN:

Wednesday, January 21 – Sunday, January 25
Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (Special Preview Night)
Thursday and Friday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

Affordability Pavilion – Boating is very affordable compared to other family leisure activities.  Visitors can check out this special selection of boats that can be owned for less than $250 a month.

Green Boating Zone – Visitors can about the latest green boating products and practices to protect the environment and preserve boating fun for future generations

Daily boating and fishing seminars – The Show features daily seminars with boating experts offering advice on everything from fishing to financing.

Discover Boating Center– From the beginner to the seasoned boater, visitors of all interests and skill levels can take advantage of unbiased advice from the experts at the Discover Boating Center.

Ravens Appearances – Meet Linebacker Jarret Johnson and members of the Raven’s cheerleaders.  Fans can win a day long fishing trip with Jarret at BaltimoreBoatShow.com

Five days of family fun and entertainment – The Baltimore Boat Show features family-friendly activities and attractions, including the Take Me Fishing Center and Miss GEICO, the world’s fastest offshore racing boat.

Special Preview Night – The 2009 Baltimore Boat Show opens with its annual Special Preview Night Benefiting the Wish-A-Fish Foundation, an opportunity for guests to have an exclusive first-look at the 2009 Show, enjoy live entertainment and contribute to a worthy local cause.

TICKET PRICES:

$10 for adults
$5 for youth 13-15 years old
FREE for kids 12 years old and under
$20 for Special Preview Night Benefiting Wish-A-Fish

About the Baltimore Boat Show

The Baltimore Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows. NMMA is the leading association representing the $37.5 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information about the NMMA, visit www.NMMA.org.