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’s Use Of Cloud Infrastructure Grows To Include Weather Prediction Models
By noaa.gov, noaa.gov. In the latest innovation to NOAA’s operational weather forecast model technology, the agency announced today that it is moving its high-performance supercomputing operations to the commercial cloud. This transition of NOAA’s Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System (WCOSS) supports current and future improvements to NOAA’s suite of… SEE MORE
Why NOAA Matters: Maine's Island Institute Makes the Case
Why NOAA Matters: Maine’s Island Institute Makes the Case Every mariner who checks a forecast before leaving the dock, every harbormaster tracking a king tide, and every fishing family checking for water temperature shifts is relying, often without thinking about it, on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, commonly shortened… SEE MORE
Sudden Danger: The Science And Stakes of Flash Flood Forecasting
By research.noaa.gov, research.noaa.gov. Though not as feared as tornadoes, hail, or lightning, flash floods are one of the deadliest weather hazards in the United States. While the number of fatalities can vary dramatically from year to year, the national average for flood deaths is 88. Lightning accounts for an average of… SEE MORE
The Coast Is Clear-er: NOAA Unveils New Land Cover Maps 900 Times Greater In Detail
By noaa.gov, noaa.gov. NOAA is releasing new, higher-resolution land cover maps for coastal Alabama, Mississippi, Northeastern Ohio, Rhode Island, and the Puget Sound in Washington. The data will be made available through the Digital Coast website and will provide these communities with better information for decisions related to stormwater management, water quality… SEE MORE
NOAA Predicts Below-Normal 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season
By noaa.gov, noaa.gov. Early preparation essential to staying safe all season. Forecasters with NOAA’s National Weather Service are predicting a below-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, predicts a 35% chance of a… SEE MORE
El Niño and High Tide Flooding, a Possible Double Whammy for Some Coastal Communities in 2026
By oceanservice.noaa.gov, oceanservice.noaa.gov. NOAA’s National Weather Service is predicting El Niño is likely to emerge by July 2026 and continue through the winter, and for many locations in the U.S. this could mean more high tide flooding. To understand why more flooding is expected, it helps to understand what El Niño is and… SEE MORE
National Hurricane Center to Issue New Forecast Cone Graphics for 2026 Hurricane Season
By noaa.gov, noaa.gov. Other product enhancements include Hawaii Storm Surge Watches & Warnings As part of a suite of product improvements for the 2026 hurricane season [PDF], NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) is implementing two new tropical products and services: a new operational hurricane track cone map, and new storm surge alerts… SEE MORE
NOAA Strengthens Commitment to World-Class Tsunami Monitoring and Detection in Pacific
By noaa.gov, noaa.gov. National Mesonet Program ensures seismic detection continues to operate in real time A new agreement between NOAA, the Alaska Mesonet and the seismic network operated by the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Alaska Earthquake Center (UAF AEC) is funding nine AEC-owned seismic stations that support near-real-time tsunami threat information.… SEE MORE
