how can we help?

We now own and live aboard a 40' ship(boat?)!

We were thinking about this tremendous resource that could be utilized for more than our personal enjoyment. We would like to give something back to the environment but are not financially equipped to sponsor someone else to do it. Does anyone on here use their boat to do coastal cleanups, educational trips, or anything like that? we were hoping to sign up for the "Marylanders grow oysters" program for starters. What good deeds do you accomplish with your trawler?

For several years we were volunteer Stewards in the Maine Island Trail Association and "adopted" an island, which meant visiting the island several times a season to monitor it's condition and use as well as picking up trash on or near the shoreline.

Some of the larger yachts have data logging equipment on board used for gathering information on the environment and the climate they are traveling through. The data gathered is sent in for study. I can't recall the name of the program off the top of my head.

Perhaps you could get involved in something like that.

David, That sounds like a great option. I'll have to look around for anythign similar in the Chesapeake.

Capt Bill, I like that idea as well since Em and I both have marine biology/ oceanographic backgrounds. We'll probably end up collecting similar data just for peronal amusement so it makes sense to send it along to anyone interested. I recall seeing something when I was working on tall ships. I think it was NOAA...the NWS perhaps? and they were interested in meteorological data...

Capt Bill,
Thats pretty much exactly what I had in mind! Unfortunately, they aren't doing anything in the Chesapeake right now...

SeaKeepers > Programs & Policies > Discovery Yachts > Interested Vessels

I'll definitely keep my eye on that though. Thanks

I notice some folks around here get involved with the USCG Auxiliary and go out on patrols. Not sure what they do on those patrols but may be worth looking into.

If you are looking to get paid for your efforts its VERY hard , a full time job in itself..

When I was in the USCG 1977-81 and stationed on a 82 ft patrol boat in Gig Harbor, Wa (Puget Sound) we used the CG Auxiliary extensively to help patrol sectors and offer some assistance to small boats that got themselves in minor difficulties....don't know if that's still what they do, but at the time, it was a worthwhile activity for all.

FF: no, not looking to get paid, just do some good.

wyoboater and craig: Good idea on the CG auxiliary, I'll look into that as well!

These are great ideas everyone! thanks for all the suggestions

We're cycling through our friends and acquaintances in Kitimat, BC who've never been on Douglas Channel. Theory being; you have to directly experience something to truly love it.

As soon as the new darkroom gets finished I'll start printing images taken on our explorations. Plan A is to sell them as art and share the amazing beauty found in the hidden corners on BC's north coast, but Plan B will be to donate them to an organization which could use 40+ years of 4x5 negatives detailing exactly what species at what concentrations are in this areas rain forests and estuaries...could be used in comparative studies in the future as new species move in and other species get forced out or diminish in number.

Have also taken out reporters and documentary film crews from around the world researching a certain proposed industrial development in our area.

Badger is also a bit of a poser;

Ok, this one involves the risk of substantial liability so be sure you're fully covered insurance wise.

KIDS.

Kids with medical conditions or terminal diseases in a "make your wish" kind of way. Underprivileged kids who can't fathom being on such a boat. When we were in NC, we had a very close relationship with an orphanage and we'd have the kids to our home (on the lake) and take them all out in our boat at least once a year. We happened upon a marina a couple of years ago that was having a huge event for underprivileged kids. We suddenly, with some of the other boaters, expanded it to taking the kids out briefly.

Wifey B: My entire boating life before meeting my hubby was one trip to the lake. It was a church outing when I was about 10 and I didn't even go to the church but a girl who did invited me. We got out a little while on a big pontoon boat. It's one of the very few childhood experiences I remember fondly. Only one I can quickly think of. It was such a woooooooooooonnnderful feeling. So freaking cool. 12 years later he took me out in his boat. Ecstasy (no not MDMA type but better). I think even today I'm still that little girl who was amazed at the feeling of being on a boat, on the water. Heck I would have just stayed there on that boat but had to go home. But for one shining moment, there was a place called Camelot.

For years my wife and I have donated dinner cruises for four guests and day cruises for larger groups to local charities. The charities then auction the cruises off at their fund raising events. The dinner cruises usually bring in $300-$500 for the charities.

The pictures below are from a day cruise we did for the local cancer center. It was an 8 hour cruise with food catered and guests bring their own wine. We took then up through Ice Harbor Lock. As you can see, a good time was had by all. This cruise brought in $1500 for the cancer center.

GFC said:

For years my wife and I have donated dinner cruises for four guests and day cruises for larger groups to local charities. The charities then auction the cruises off at their fund raising events. The dinner cruises usually bring in $300-$500 for the charities.

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Does your insurance policy exclude that use? I looked into that and was told that, because the guests paid to be there, I would have no insurance coverage and that the trip would be subject to the laws & regulations applicable to commercial charters.

Gabe n Em said:

Capt Bill, I like that idea as well since Em and I both have marine biology/ oceanographic backgrounds. We'll probably end up collecting similar data just for peronal amusement so it makes sense to send it along to anyone interested.

Click to expand...

With your marine biology background... you might want to get involved in the on-going fisheries management issues here in the Chesapeake. There are at least 4 main species -- striped bass (rockfish), blue crabs, oysters, and menhaden -- that could benefit from data-driven science, and I'm not sure MD DNR (for instance) has all the tools (expertise) it needs to get it sorta right all the time. And then the differing approaches between VA (especially for menhaden) and MD probably complicate things as well.

I suspect there's a lot of "flying it while you build it" going on... maybe or maybe not unduly influenced by the various constituents involved: cities and towns (sewage run-off), farms (ag run-off), recreational anglers, charter business, commercial fisherman/crabbers/oystermen, etc.

And so forth.

Competent research and educated advise may be welcomed.

Another idea; for the last 3-4 years we've been taking Wounded Warriors out fishing during the "trophy" striped bass season. It's not easy to arrange, but when a plan comes together the guys have all really enjoyed it.

-Chris

MYTraveler said:

Does your insurance policy exclude that use? I looked into that and was told that, because the guests paid to be there, I would have no insurance coverage and that the trip would be subject to the laws & regulations applicable to commercial charters.

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Seems like no good deed goes unpunished by you know who.

(Does your insurance policy exclude that use? I looked into that and was told that, because the guests paid to be there, I would have no insurance coverage and that the trip would be subject to the laws & regulations applicable to commercial charters.)


Not sure it would be a problem since the guests are not paying him ie boat owner. The guests are making a contribution to a charity. That's my line and I'm sticking to it

FoxtrotCharlie said:

(Does your insurance policy exclude that use? I looked into that and was told that, because the guests paid to be there, I would have no insurance coverage and that the trip would be subject to the laws & regulations applicable to commercial charters.)


Not sure it would be a problem since the guests are not paying him ie boat owner. The guests are making a contribution to a charity. That's my line and I'm sticking to it

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They paid. They bid in an auction. It is only a charitable contribution if they paid more than value and the nature of it being an auction generally works against that.

Now the fact the owner didn't receive any payment does change things some. Still I'd double check my insurance and probably check with a maritime attorney before doing such. Should be a 30 second question and answer.

CPseudonym said:

I notice some folks around here get involved with the USCG Auxiliary and go out on patrols. Not sure what they do on those patrols but may be worth looking into.

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You might also look into the Sea Scouts and Sea Cadets.
Working with young men and women interested in a possible career in the Navy, Coast Guard or other maritime industry. You could probably help by getting them on board and underway

BandB said:

Ok, this one involves the risk of substantial liability so be sure you're fully covered insurance wise.

KIDS.

Kids with medical conditions or terminal diseases in a "make your wish" kind of way. Underprivileged kids who can't fathom being on such a boat. When we were in NC, we had a very close relationship with an orphanage and we'd have the kids to our home (on the lake) and take them all out in our boat at least once a year. We happened upon a marina a couple of years ago that was having a huge event for underprivileged kids. We suddenly, with some of the other boaters, expanded it to taking the kids out briefly.

Wifey B: My entire boating life before meeting my hubby was one trip to the lake. It was a church outing when I was about 10 and I didn't even go to the church but a girl who did invited me. We got out a little while on a big pontoon boat. It's one of the very few childhood experiences I remember fondly. Only one I can quickly think of. It was such a woooooooooooonnnderful feeling. So freaking cool. 12 years later he took me out in his boat. Ecstasy (no not MDMA type but better). I think even today I'm still that little girl who was amazed at the feeling of being on a boat, on the water. Heck I would have just stayed there on that boat but had to go home. But for one shining moment, there was a place called Camelot.

Click to expand...

Excellent
We do something similar here in the Tampa Bay Area.
It's with a group called B.O.A.T Kids, Building One Adventure at a Time.

We were just out with them on the 10th of April.
Every year around this time, members of the boating community, local businesses, and the Florida Park Service @ Caladesi, Volunteer time their time, vessels and other resources, and make dock space available for us, so we can take those with mental and physical challenges onto the water.

We have everything from trawler and MY's to Offshore racing types, to center consoles and fishing boats.

Some of these "kids" (not all children), have never been on a boat, much less in the water. We take them out to the Island where a HUGE picnic is held for them, then escort them to the beach. Each person has a caregiver with them, safety is always job #1, aside from them having the blast of their lives

The looks on their faces, the laughter, and the gratitude of the parents, is more than anyone could ask for! We look forward to it each year.

If you're interested, shoot me a message, and I'll get you in contact with the coordinators of the event. Not sure if they have anything up your way, but hey, the legwork is done, and the wheel is already built. I'll bet you could just follow the blueprints and form a group up there.

OD

The Admiral and I did pretty much like GFC and the dinner cruises while in Miami, but I wanted to do more with injured Vets, especially paralized Vets if possible. I designed a chair lift for the boat to get wheelchaired vets to the upper deck, but its just not the right boat for this purpose. The equipment and management is complicated. We need to start with a larger, more stable platform to attempt it. Worse than not doing it would be refusing to take someone aboard. To do it right, we may need to become a charity ourselves. Meanwhile, we'll probaby start the dinner cruises again this fall.

MYTraveler said:

Does your insurance policy exclude that use? I looked into that and was told that, because the guests paid to be there, I would have no insurance coverage and that the trip would be subject to the laws & regulations applicable to commercial charters.

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MYTraveler, I checked with my insurance broker in Seattle before we did the first dinner cruise and was told that because we were not getting any reimbursement for our time, fuel, food, wine, etc., that we were not acting in the capacity of a charter so there were no insurance problems. Per my request they replied to my question via email so we have it in writing.

We figured our typical 4-hour dinner cruise cost us somewhere in the neighborhood of $250 for the food, wine & fuel.

That day long cruise for the cancer center set us back about $500.

It's all for a good cause so we had no problem with it.

BTW, I forgot to mention above the other charities we donated the dinner cruises to: Junior Achievement and Pet Over Population.