Saturday, April 27th from 2:00 – 5:00pm will be our famous annual Open House Party in the Stingray Point Lighthouse! Free food and adult beverages (and soft drinks) for slip holders and Stingray Harbour Yacht Club members. There will be plenty of food and drink for all so plan on being here to say hello to old and new marina friends!
The Stingray Harbour Yacht Club will hold their blessing of the fleet and sock burning ceremony just prior at 1:00pm on the lighthouse lawn.
Could it be that Spring has sprung? One sure sign of Spring is that we have de-winterized the marina and turned the water back on. Enjoy!
One of the special series of Nature Seminars this season!
Saturday, October 6, 8:30 –10:30am
In the Stingray Point Marina Pool House.
You occasionally see them… perched on a tree limb or overhead wire, circling high in the sky or soaring overhead. Even a fleeting glimpse while driving or a brief encounter at your backyard bird feeder creates a stirring of emotion and excitement in most folks unlike most other bird sightings. What is it about these majestic birds; like owls, osprey, hawks, eagles, and falcons, that captures our interest and spirit so quickly? Join us for an informative look at the exciting world of the Raptors, the Birds of Prey that share the marina habitat with us. Learn some cool facts and secrets about the lives of the beloved Bald Eagles that nest here, the hidden life of the nocturnal hunters, the NASCAR birds, and the surprising antics of the amazing barfing birds.
We will be constructing Screech Owl nesting boxes, and you can build one to take home, give as gifts, or donate to SPM for installation on our grounds. Eastern Screech Owls are common in urban, suburban, and rural areas, and they are looking for homes! They are people- tolerant, and tons of fun to watch. The kits are $15 each, and you need to order your kit in advance.
You don’t have to make a box to attend the workshop.
What to Expect:
8:30 am Coffee and Donuts
9:00 -10:30 am
– Raptor workshop
– Q and A discussion
– Owl nest box construction
Build a Screech Owl Nesting Box
Please bring:
• Cordless drill (if you have one) and battery
• $15 materials fee per box.
You do not have to make a box to attend the workshop.
Bill Gordon is an Environmental Educator and Naturalist. He is the founder of High Adventure Wilderness School, a non-profit educational program in Kentucky. He lives off-grid in the eastern Kentucky mountains. His motorsailer SeaLark is in Slip D46. To register for this program, please contact Bill directly at 859-230-8649 or email him at whg1225@msn.com
The Hurricane Season runs until November 30th, and right now we are in the peak time. With Hurricane Florence heading towards the East Coast, it is very important that you always keep an eye on the tropical weather outlook, and have your boat prepared to weather the Fall Storms that might come our way.
Please be aware that slip holders are responsible for securing their boats and personal property on marina premises.
Stingray Point Marina and staff are not responsible for taking care of your boat before or during a storm. If you will be away from the area, you need to arrange for a friend or local boat yard to prepare for and monitor your boat. And it is a good idea to have the boat prepared during the fall season, regardless of whether there is a storm lurking or not.
We have links on our website to a variety of sources for weather information, including a link to the National Hurricane Center, where you can monitor the storm path and timing forecasts. We will be monitoring the situation as well. Below are recommendations for preparing your boat for potential effects of a hurricane, whether it stays offshore or veers closer to us.
Recommended Procedures for Tropical Storms or Hurricanes
Tropical storms have sustained winds from 39 mph to 73 mph and hurricane-force winds start at sustained winds 74 mph. This can cause significant damage to boats that are improperly secured. Boat owners should take the following precautions well in advance of a storm’s projected arrival:
BOATS IN SLIPS
REDUCE WINDAGE:
Removing headsails (including furled jibs), mainsails, sail covers, biminis, dodgers and other canvas. For smaller storms, you can wrap sails with line to help secure them.
• Remove life rafts and other large objects that can catch wind.
• Flags should be lowered and stowed
• Halyards should be pulled away from the mast and snugged securely.
• Boats on the Dinghy Racks should be lashed down or removed and taken home.
DOCK LINES:
• Check for chafe and wear on dock lines and replace or double lines if necessary. Insert chafing gear in chocks if chocks wear substantially on dock lines.
• Please ensure that your lines can be adjusted from the dock. The bitter end needs to be on the dock, not on your boat. Most of these storms have significant storm surge with water going over the docks. We will NOT go aboard boats to adjust lines.
BOAT SYSTEMS:
• Check batteries for charge and charge if needed. Electricity to the docks may be lost or turned off if the storm surge is over the docks. Best not to leave food stored in the boat’s ice box.
• Disconnect your shore power cord from the dock.
• Bilge pumps should be on automatic.
• Close the fuel and all overboard sea cocks.
OTHER:
• Port lights and hatches should be securely closed in watertight conditions.
• It’s a good idea to remove contents from dock boxes to prevent damage due to flooding
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT TO SECURE YOUR BOAT– YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO YOUR BOAT.
Begin to implement your plan at the first forecast that the projected path includes Southern Chesapeake Bay, this will give you several days to execute your plan. The Hurricane Center website shows 3-5 day track forecasts.
In Hurricane Isabel and Irene, the storm surge was six to seven feet above mean high tide; waiting to the last minute is very risky. The docks, pilings, and some seawalls were all underwater. Boats left in slips that are not properly secured present a danger to themselves, to other boats and property, and to persons in the area. If your boat causes damage to another boat or to marina property, you may be held financially responsible. Also, when the winds get up toward hurricane strength it is impossible to adjust lines.
Boat Owner Identification: For owners planning to move their boat to upriver locations, authorities with VMRC and Middlesex County have requested that each boat have the boat owner’s name, vessel name, and contact information placed in a watertight plastic bag and placed somewhere easily accessible, such as unlocked cockpit locker or lazarett. This will allow them to contact the boat owner if needed after a storm.
HAUL OUT. If you want to be hauled out, contact your preferred yard early to ensure you get a spot. Check your insurance policy, many will pay for haul out expenses within a time range of our area being in the path of a named storm.
Thank you for being aware and prudent for everyone’s safety.
—Stingray Point Marina
Do you have an older sailboat 20+ years old or older? Do you like to compete to see how well you sail against others? Then the Turkey Shoot Regatta might be something to consider for this fall. It is held up in Irvington September 28 – 30th. Great sailing, parties, and camaraderie. Here is a link for more information and registration: Turkey Shoot Hospice Regatta 2018
