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
NOAA Fisheries Finds Listing Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon Under the Endangered Species Act “Not Warranted”
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. NOAA Fisheries’ 12-month review shows a low risk of extinction. NOAA Fisheries has completed a status review and 12-month finding for Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon in response to a January 2024 petition. The Wild Fish Conservancy petitioned to delineate and list one or more evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon… SEE MORE
Capelin: a “Sea Canary” for Marine Ecosystem Change in Response to Heatwaves
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. Capelin are a major forage fish species in high-latitude marine ecosystems. Recent heatwaves in Alaska led to a dramatic decline in capelin abundance, which can have major impacts on predators, including marine mammals, seabirds, and fish. Twenty years ago, Dr. George Rose with Memorial University of Newfoundland called capelin… SEE MORE
WHOI Scientist Hunts for 10-Million-Year-Old Ice in Antarctica
By Evan Lubofsky, whoi.edu. Ancient ice buried beneath Antarctica holds trapped air bubbles that serve as tiny time capsules of Earth’s atmosphere — and a WHOI geoscientist is pushing the record further back than ever before. Sarah Shackleton, who helped recover 6-million-year-old ice cores from Antarctica’s Allan Hills in 2023,… SEE MORE
Restoring Habitat for Great Lakes Fish at the Historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. With $7 million in funding from NOAA Fisheries, the Ford House estate on Lake St. Clair in Michigan is rebuilding shoreline habitat for fish and other wildlife while expanding access and educational opportunities for visitors. NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Habitat Conservation has established a unique partnership with Ford House, the… SEE MORE
![The aftermath of the Morrill Fire as seen from aircraft on March 14, 2026. [Image credit: Watch Duty/InciWeb]](https://www.usharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aftermath-of-the-Morrill-fire.png-660x660.webp)
NOAA’s Wildfire Detection System a “Game Changer” for Nebraska’s Record-Breaking Morrill Fire
By noaa.gov, noaa.gov. When the Morrill Fire ignited on March 12, 2026, it quickly grew into the largest wildfire in Nebraska history. As the fire rapidly burned across the state, NOAA’s Next Generation Fire System (NGFS) provided the critical eye-in-the-sky perspective for the massive response to the record-breaking fire. The up-to-the-minute guidance… SEE MORE
Solar Electric Yachts Extend Range
By YCC Team, Yaleclimateconnections.org. As solar-powered yachts become more prevalent, harbor and marina operators face new infrastructure considerations including electrical capacity for battery charging, appropriate dock assignments for vessels with rooftop solar arrays, and understanding the operational patterns of these emerging zero-emission vessels. The technology represents a shift that could… SEE MORE
North Atlantic Right Whale Calving Season 2026
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. The right whale calving season begins in mid-November and runs through mid-April. Researchers have identified 15 calves so far this calving season. Every single female North Atlantic right whale and calf are vital to this endangered species’ recovery. Since 2017, the whales have been experiencing an Unusual Mortality Event, which… SEE MORE
Toxic Algae Bloom Overwhelms California Marine Rescuers as Sea Lions Fall Ill
By Dawn Anderson, Published in best4boats.com. A severe harmful algal bloom along Southern California’s coast is creating hazardous conditions not only for marine mammals but also for boaters and beachgoers who may encounter disoriented or aggressive sea lions. The crisis highlights growing concerns about ocean health along one of America’s… SEE MORE
