ColumbiaRiverCatalina.org		April 2009

The New Cruising Season has  begun!

Yeah!

Commodore
By Jim Turner, C380, "Makana Kai"

Rhonda and I truly enjoyed the cruise to Hadley’s Landing and had a great time. This was our first March cruise, having avoided them in the past, figuring it too rainy and cold. While the weather wasn’t nice enough to break out the beach chairs, on the whole, everyone had a wonderful time. We certainly can look forward to the weather warming and improving with each cruise this season.

We conducted an awesome renaming ceremony for our Catalina 380, “Makana Kai” (Gift from the Sea).  Together, with our assembled friends, we shared several champagne toasts to the ancient Gods of the wind, Aeolus, and the Sea, Neptune.  If you chose to stay home where it was warm and cozy, you missed Rhonda and I performing pagan rituals in grass skirts!  Who needs reality TV!

I hope to focus on getting Makana Kai outfitted in navy canvas now that she has her new graphics and name!

The cruise to Hadley’s was relatively uneventful, except for an incredible amount of debris clogging the slough. While the debris was gone by the time we headed back, our cruise home proved much more challenging. Sheltered from the wind, rain and hail, under our full enclosure, we felt sympathy for Pete Rose in his foulies, valiantly piloting his Catalina 30, Misty Isle, through the storm.

When we reached the Vancouver Burlington Northern railroad swing bridge, we found commercial fishing boats deploying gill nets across virtually the entire span of the river. After a lengthy wait, and the bridge finally opening, we motored through, eastbound, watching for a sailboat, coming westbound, that had requested the bridge opening. We finally spotted the 40’ Beneteau, Grace, tangled in gill nets well back from the Railroad Bridge, drifting with the fishing boat along-side. We also saw someone, stripped down to their shorts, diving off the back of the sailboat into the frigid spring water.

With gill nets everywhere, we quickly refocused our attention to avoid becoming entangled ourselves. The Burlington Northern railroad bridge operator, thankfully, advised us all to stay close to the Washington shoreline of the Columbia up to the I-5 Bridge. We couldn’t turn and make our way down to the raised span where it was safe to cross under, until we nearly reached the bridge. While picking our way around the nets, we heard the Beneteau’s captain indicate that their situation was becoming more dire, with their anchor dragging, and their being swept towards the railroad bridge. As we passed under the I-5 Bridge, we heard them calmly report, "oh, this isn't good".   Through our binoculars we could see them pinned against the bridge, but again had to turn our attention back to spotting and avoiding gill nets, or face a similar fate!

Ahead of us, to the west, and off into the distance, we saw a host of boats laying gill nets across what looked to be the entire river (posting on ifish.net reported the fleet size at greater than 30 boats). After Rhonda and I agreed on some hand signals for stop, slow, right, left, go back, I went forward with the binoculars to spot nets and signal directions. By the time we reached the 205 bridge we had passed many of the gillnet boats twice, as they would leap frog each other, moving east, as we were. The nets were deployed across the entire river, including the channel, sometimes pushing us toward shallow water. To say it was challenging, frustrating, maddening, and draining, is an understatement!

Later that evening, we learned that the S/V Grace was able to motor off the Railroad Bridge under her own power, and avoid any possible salvage claim. The report indicated that while no one was injured, their mast was severely damaged.  The story linked below shows that by severely, they meant snapped!

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march302009/sailboat_crash_3-30-09.php

Since this is the second year in a row that this has happened, I made a few calls to learn where we can find a schedule of where, and when, commercial gillnetting will be occurring.

I learned from the USCG that they have no responsibilities in this area, and don't publish any notifications in the Local Notice to Mariners updates. The USCG explained that commercial fisherman can legally fish with gill nets across the entire river, including in the channel (USCG must go around them to!). The USCG further reminded me that it is our responsibility under the Inland Water Rules, or COLREGS, to maintain both, a proper lookout appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions, and a safe speed in order to take effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstance and conditions. A “vessel engaged in fishing” using nets is a “vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver”, and as such, only need give way to a vessel constrained by its draft to the channel, like a large ship or tug. While we may be considered a “vessel constrained by her draft”, we aren’t constrained to the channel. The Coast Guard suggested that should we be unable to transit safely around the nets in relationship to available depth, we must hail the fisherman to negotiate safe passage. This implies that should you fail to see someone who is legally fishing, and tangle or cut their nets, you could be on the hook for not just your damages, but possibly the fisherman’s as well.

I then called the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and spoke with Stephen Williams, who is the Columbia River & Marine Resources Assistant Fish Division Administrator.  From Stephen, I learned that Fisheries management is forcing the commercial gill netting fishing fleets into an ever smaller area, which concentrates boats, and nets, and makes navigation through them much more challenging.  Stephen indicated my call was timely, and that they are looking for an avenue to better notify the boating public, and improve safety. I suggested having the Columbia River Yachting Association, CRYA, (of which CRACA is a member Association) distribute messages to its members. ODFW contacted CRYA to discuss options.

While we recreational boaters may be stressed and annoyed when encountering commercial fishing boats and nets, we should appreciate that these fishermen are working incredibly hard and just trying to make a living, in incredibly difficult times. While I do appreciate that gillnetting is a contentious subject, it’s not one I’m knowledgeable enough about, or interested in debating. The simple fact is that gillnetting is legal, heavily regulated, and something that we as boaters must deal with in the Pacific Northwest.  Hopefully, we can do so safely and respectfully.

Gillnets (actually tangle nets are now used to reduce fish mortality), are flat nets that hang vertically from a buoyed line. While it may be relatively easy to spot a Gillnetter, which can be recognized by the large drum, which looks like a giant spool, mounted on the stern or bow that, sets and retrieves the net.  It is difficult to spot the long line of small floats, with a large float at the end of the net, especially at night, when the big floats should be lighted. While Oregon’s Boating Guide to the Lower Columbia and Willamette Rivers indicates that gillnet fishing season runs from mid February to mid March, and mid September to late November, the season varies depending on run and catch counts.  This clearly is the case with the spring season running into April this year.

Here are some links to resources with further information on gillnetting; which can help us spot and recognize commercial fishing boats working their nets!

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/fishinggears.htm

http://it.truveo.com/Work-Is-our-Joy-The-Story-Of-The-Columbia-River/id/1615269318

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCQzlRmYqyM

http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/library/docs/ColumbiaGuide.pdf

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2009/03/columbia_spring_chinook_run_la.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2009/03/showing_in_salem_helps_leaders.html

The following link is to the COLREGS or Rules.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm

Rhonda and I will be on vacation and miss the East Dock cruise and the vessel safety check opportunity at Salpare Bay this month. So we wish everyone smooth sailing and look forward to seeing all of you in May!

- Jim 

Vice Commodore
By Jess Schefstrom, C42, Kira Lynn

Spring commissioning checklist:

Change oil in engine and transmission = check

Change filters = check

Set and furl genoa from storage - check

Rerig Dutchman system on mainsal = check

Wash down deck and canvas, removing first layer of green slime = check

Vacuum bilge = check

Attempt to find “lost” (aka “stowed”) items from the last cruise in October = no check (where in the heck is that stuff?)

I am sure most all boater’s go through a similar procedure to get ready for that first cruise in the Spring. For me it is a fun process that harkens the beginning of a “new” cruising season we have been, not so patiently, waiting for the past five months. Spring is here, whether the temperatures outside agree, so let’s deal with it.

Larry Brandt’s presentation “Cruising the Sound Puget Sound” was a well-attended success at March’s meeting at Elmer’s restaurant. Larry reminded us of the vast cruising opportunities in the entire Sound and specifically informed us on areas to be considered around Olympia and Tacoma. Larry stressed the importance of working with the tides to make your cruise as easy as possible. Sometimes we “river folk” forget the, at times, mystical nature of tides as we deal constantly with the ever flowing Columbia. Thanks Larry. Now we will have to have him back for his next presentation “Cruising the Middle Sound”.

Our first cruise of the year to Hadley’s Landing was the classic “ying and yang”. The weather could have definitely been better. Cold, windy, rainy…Hey it’s March, what do we expect? The weather cleared Saturday afternoon just long enough for a nice “renaming” ceremony for Jim and Rhonda’s C380. The food and fellowship on Friday night and Saturday afternoon/evening were really nice. Friday afternoon the group “toured” Dave and Lani’s new Meridian 386 and enjoyed some delicious appetizers. Later we moved over to the “Kira Lynn” for Mary’s Beef and Barley soup. Overall it was a very enjoyable evening. Our next cruise in April is at East Dock, and here’s hoping that the temperatures will be higher! Plan on coming on out and joining us. We look forward to seeing you.

- Jess

Greetings Cruisers! It felt great to be back out on the river for the Hadley’s landing Cruise. OK … there was some rain, but this is Oregon, right? We took Capriccio out a day early and stayed overnight in St Helens, then cruised up the channel to Hadley’s accompanied by Kira Lynn. We were met by three more boats: Kona Kai, Misty Isle, and Makana Kai. Our stay at Hadley’s was a bit “rustic” due to a lack of porta-potty facilities. Rhonda and Jim Turner performed an Un-naming and Re-naming ceremony giving their Catalina 380 her new name “Makana Kai”, Hawaiian for Gift from the Sea. Champagne was involved. Our Belated St. Patrick’s Day celebration began with an Irish Beer tasting event where the Mactarnahan’s Blackwatch Porter was voted best overall (not even Irish!). I liked the Murphy’s Stout, but that may be my heritage speaking! Hors d’oeuvres were served followed by a dinner of Irish fare. Even though the weather was less than stellar, we were all snug and dry protected by Makana Kai’s fully enclosed cockpit! On our return trip, there was a little wind so we shook out the sails and let the wind do the work. All in all, a pretty good weekend!

There seemed to be some confusion about the schedule for the down river cruise this summer, so here is a calendar showing details. The plan is for two groups: an Astoria group and a Cathlamet group. Both groups meet in Cathlamet on August 4^th and head back up river arriving at Salpere Bay on August 7^th for the Rendezvous. We’ll put together a meeting for those interested as the date approaches.

Don’t forget the safety checks at Salpere Bay on Saturday, April 25^th.

Our next cruise will be to Government Island East Dock April 18^th and 19^th. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

- Doug McClary – (503) 997-4915 – doug.mcclary@comcast.net

Secretary/Treasurer
By John Kerrigan, C30, Different Perspective

<No Submission>

- John 

Rear Commodore
By Alden Andre', C38, Fly Bye

<No Submission>

- Alden Andre

Communications Officer

Open Opportunity for someone wanting to gain experience as a web master!
Vacant

Safety Officer

Open Opportunity!
Vacant

Historian

Open Opportunity for a scrap booker!
Vacant 

Catalina Newsletters of the Northwest

Checkout these links to Northwest Catalina newsletters and local racing:

Catalina 22 Fleet 20 of Portland www.c22pdx.org Sail Portland www.sailpdx.com Oregon Women's Sailing Assoc. www.owsa.net

Catalina Assoc.  of Tacoma and South Sound home.earthlink.net/~catss/CATSS Web Page.htm Catalina Association of Puget Sound capsfleet1.com/News Letters.htm Small Yacht Sailing club of Oregon (SYSCO) www.sailpdx.com/sysco.htm

Upcoming Events

April

• No General Meeting
• 18th - 19th Cruise: Government Island - East dock
• 25th Salpare Bay Cruise/Safety Checks

May

• No General Meeting
• 15th - 17th Cruise: Government Island - West dock/Sandy Beach (New)
• 22th - 25th Cruise: Martin Slough  (Memorial Day)

June

• No General Meeting
• 27th - 28th Cruise: Coon Island - East Side

See the calendar

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The Columbia River All Catalina Association newsletter is published once a month online at ColumbiaRiverCatalina.org.  Articles are the opinions of the authors and don't necessarily represent the consensus of the Association.