Information and Resources to help you navigate Covid-19
We here at US Harbors are collecting all the information we can to help you through these strange times.
The situation around the country, and the world, is changing at a rapid rate. We endeavor to keep our information up to date and relevant. Please be aware that regulations do vary from state to state. You can find all our Covid-19 related news under this tag /covid-19
Is Boating a Safe Social Distancing Activity?
In most circumstances, boating is a safe activity in terms of limiting infection. Please be aware of the specific rules at the local marina or town boat ramp – getting into the water can be the most high risk part of the boating trip, depending on how busy the boat launch area is. Please also take into consideration who accompanies you on your boat. It is advised to limit boat passengers to those already in your household. Some states have a limit on the number of people allowed on a boat.
Once out on the water, maintain distance from other boats, and be extra vigilant of those in the water around you. Boaters, as a type, are generally very safety conscious, and that attitude is just as important now as it ever is. Every prevented accident is one less thing that our brave key workers have tackle – keeping the resources available to deal with the covid-19 pandemic.
More rules, tips and advice can be found here: Must-Know Rules for 2020 Summer Boating During COVID 19
Where Can I Go Boating?
What Boat Ramps are Open in My Area?
What events are still going on?
Many events have been cancelled to limit spread of the coronavirus. Some are able to transition to a virtual. online version of the event, and some are postponed till later in the year, or the following year altogether. We are still posting events on our site, however we encourage you to check directly with the organizer before attending. You can see all the events here: usharbors.com/event-listings/
Help for Coastal Businesses
We are posting updates from any and all coastal business, organization or local authority. If you want to get word out to boaters in your area, you can submit news for our weekly update here: usharbors.com/supporting-our-coastal-businesses/
Health & Safety Filter
Shipboard Medicine: From Wooden Chest to Telemedicine on the High Seas
By EVAN LUBOFSKY, whoi.edu. Medical emergencies far from shore are a reality every mariner must contend with — whether aboard a research vessel, a commercial fishing boat, or a cruising yacht. A fascinating new piece from WHOI’s Oceanus magazine traces the evolution of shipboard medicine through the lens of the… SEE MORE
LED Flares Are Replacing Pyrotechnics — What Boaters Need to Know
By Norris Comer, Best4Boats.com. A significant shift in boating safety equipment is underway. The U.S. Coast Guard is retiring traditional pyrotechnic flares from its own vessels by April 2026 and has issued new rules that make USCG-approved electronic visual distress signaling devices (eVDSDs) easier to carry and more widely available.… SEE MORE
Shark Attack Statistics: Understanding Coastal Safety Risks
By Alexander Laybourne, worldanimalfoundation.org. For harbor communities, beach managers, and coastal recreation operators, understanding actual shark attack statistics helps put ocean safety risks in proper perspective. While shark encounters generate significant media attention and public concern, data-driven analysis reveals that the statistical risk remains remarkably low—information that’s valuable for coastal… SEE MORE
New Video Series Helps Boaters Avoid Lobster Gear
By US Harbors If you’ve ever been boating along the Maine coast, you’ve seen the many buoys used to mark lobster traps. Maine boaters simply refer to these buoys as “lobster pots.” If you hear “lobster pot,” you might picture a metal container filled with water for boiling lobsters, and… SEE MORE
Tips for Loading a Boat on a Trailer in a Crosscurrent
By boatingmag.com. Balancing thrust, current strength and a good plan are keys to loading your boat while fighting a strong crossing current. Many, if not most, boat-launch ramps are situated so as to be somewhat sheltered from strong currents. Not all ramps offer this convenience, though. At some point, you… SEE MORE
Mapping the Waters of Valdez, Alaska for Tsunami and Landslide Preparedness
By oceanservice.noaa.gov. A new partnership between NOAA and the City of Valdez, Alaska will help emergency managers prepare for future earthquakes, tsunamis, and underwater landslides. This partnership will support mapping 34 square nautical miles of the Port of Valdez — an important gateway to interior Alaska. A devastating earthquake in 1964 caused… SEE MORE
15 Tips for Planning Your Best Day at the Beach
By noaa.gov. Days spent at the beach create a lifetime of memories: building sand castles, swimming, boating, or even just listening to the waves crash while reading a great book. At NOAA, we tend to take things an extra step further when we go to the beach. Whether it’s tracking… SEE MORE
Things you can do to be Better Prepared for Major Flooding
By Caleigh Wells. Catastrophic floods can be difficult to prepare for. Sometimes evacuation is the right call, but if it’s too late the best bet is to find higher ground nearby. The stakes can be high, because a flash flood may give those in its path only minutes or seconds to react.… SEE MORE