Coast Guard cautions boaters and beachgoers for upcoming heavy weather

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard warns boaters and beachgoers to exercise caution on coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest this upcoming weekend due to high winds, coastal area flooding, cold temperatures and snow.

The National Weather Service - http://www.noaa.gov/ - has posted hazardous weather outlooks throughout the Pacific Northwest to include gale force wind warnings, small craft advisories and high surf advisories. The boating public is strongly encouraged to pay close attention to local weather and river bar forecasts before leaving port.

The Coast Guard reminds boaters it is dangerous to fish during high surf conditions.

In addition, marinas and boaters are reminded to check that boats in port are properly secured, bilge pumps are functional, and all loose items are removed from decks. Report any boats adrift, pollution or other maritime emergencies to the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802 or your local Coast Guard unit.

Here are some tips for those who choose to go out on the water during the upcoming heavy weather:

* - Leave a float plan with a responsible individual who knows your intentions, location and who they should call if you do not return as scheduled.

* - Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and set the example for your passengers or paddling partners.

* - Carry a marine VHF radio and other reliable means of communication.

* - Be prepared for the shock of sudden immersion and the disabling effects of cold water. Plan for the worst: dress as though you are going to get wet and be cold.

* - Maintain awareness on the water - be aware of activity around your vessel including changing weather, and always know your location.

* - Be responsible - Know that alcohol and drugs cause accidents and sometimes death.

* - Don’t boat alone - Boating alone is not recommended. Recreational canoeists and kayakers often travel with a single canoe and one partner, or even solo, but it is recommended you canoe, kayak or boat with at least three people or two craft.

* - Know your limitations - Be honest with yourself and your companions. Your life and the lives of those in your party may depend on how everyone understands each other’s capabilities.

The USS Montana in Action

IMPORTANT: Recall on ACR GlobalFix EPIRBs

Information passed on by Marine Guard Yacht Security. Post discovered on Power and Motoryacht Editors Blog http://pmyeditors.blogspot.com

RECALL INFORMATION

There’s been a limited recall on ACR GlobalFixlM iPRO EPIRBs. Here’s the notice:

Posted December 5, 2008

ACR has discovered that a small percentage of GlobalFix™ iPRO™ EPIRBs may not activate manually and has decided to issue a limited recall notice. The condition could exist in a maximum of 400 units built within serial number range of 1000 to 1688. If you own or have a GlobalFix™ iPRO™ that falls within this serial number range you should contact ACR's Customer Service department immediately at +1-854-862-2110 or at NBuckle@ACRelectronics.com.

ACR discovered that some of the witness seal tabs require the application of excessive force to put the switch into the correct position when manually activating the EPIRB. The water activation feature works separately and is not affected by the manual switch. The manual switch assembly needs to be reworked on a maximum of 400 units to insure that the switch and witness seal will activate as designed and intended. The 400 units potentially affected by this problem fall into the serial number range of 1000 -1688. If your GloblaFix™ iPRO™ serial number falls outside this range, then your GlobalFix™ iPRO™ is not affected by this notice. The 400 units could be of either the PIN 2846 Category I (automatic deploy) or PIN 2848 Category II (manual deploy) model.

This condition does not occur in any other ACR EPIRB model. This recall is limited to only the GlobalFix™ iPRO™ units falling within the serial number range of 1000 to 1688.

For more information or to obtain a Return Authorization contact:
ACR Customer Service
Telephone: +1-854-862-2110 (in the USA: 1-800-432-0227, ext. 2110)
E-Mail: NBuckle@ACRelectronics.com

We know you secure yachts but what about our homes?

I often get calls from boat owners that are familiar with Marine Guard yacht Security, asking information about how to choose an alarm company for their home or business. They're in good hands because Marine Guard is a division of a consumer advocacy company that specializes in training consumers on all aspects of "How to Buy an Alarm or Get One For Free".

Introducing The Experts Know! LLC:

The greatest commodity one could acquire is knowledge. Consumers of home and business security alarm systems have always been reliant on trust, as the main component of their research. Now you will have all the information you need about alarm equipment, alarm companies, installation techniques, ways to procure these alarm systems, and how to judge the quality of all of this.

You can get your copy of the book today, and begin your alarm research from an expert perspective. The Experts Know! provides you with this source, in an effort to help the well-intentioned professionals earn your recognition. At the same time it is our desire, to make it extremely difficult for the alarm dealers who prey on your lack of industry knowledge, to peddle their inferior products.

About The Book:

There has never been a more comprehensive "How to Buy an Alarm System" book made available to the consumer!

• The Experts Know! Alarms; will walk you through the process of buying a security alarm system. Until now only professionals and a few knowledgeable consumers, had access to all the insider information needed to get the BEST deal on the BEST systems.
• “How to buy a security system or get one for free" will educate you in a complete and easy to understand process.
• Take a look at the "Table of Contents" page, and see how we address all of your security alarm needs. We will explain each device, its coverage area and different quality options that are available, in great detail
• There are many (INSIDE SCOOP!) and (HOT TIP!) inserts. You will find them to be just the insight into alarms, you should be looking for.
• We will teach you how to find the alarm consultants that will not waste your time, and how to organize your consultations.
• The included bid check-list, contains all of the questions you will want to ask during your security system research. This process will save you valuable time and many dollars. There is no way you will settle for less than the best deal on the finest available systems, after you are educated by the alarm experts.

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or visit the informative Experts Know! site to learn more
www.TeachMeAlarms.com

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Boat Named "Temporary Insanity"

If They Can't See It They Can't Steal It

Bandit Solutions of Peabody, MA has developed a technology that is changing the face of high security applications. Their fog machine when tied to a security alarm system, makes it impossible for burglars to enter or stay in an area that they attempt to break into. The machine sits in the corner of a room and upon violation, instantly fills the area with thick fog. The fog is odorless, leaves no residue and is harmless to sensitive electronics. The dense fog dissipates after about 30 minutes. The fog canister is good for 4 applications and a refill is available for about $125.00.

If you have a yacht with an inverter (120VAC is needed to power the unit) you can fill a 1000 square ft. area in just 3 seconds. By having a unit in the cabin and venting to your fly-bridge, your electronics would remain untouched because they can't see them to steel them. Your Marine Guard alarm would notify you of the violation so you can respond before the fog would clear.

From the Bandit Solutions Website:

As the most powerful and technically advanced fog system available today, Bandit Solutions provides the explosive power to stop a crime in progress. Perfect as an enhancement to any security system, Bandit ejects harmless dense fog at an unmatched rate of 1,000 cubic feet per second creating a high-level barrier that protects valuables from intruders.

BANDIT fills a room, store, office (or your vessel) with a thick, non-transparent fog.
fog after 0.5 sec	fog after 1.5 sec	fog after 3 sec

The fog keeps anyone from entering the room for at least 10 minutes after the alarm goes off, because they cannot see a thing. The fog has a soft mint smell, is colorless and disappears without leaving a trace. Bandit’s fog can last up to an hour but can be aired out of a room in about 15 minutes.

You can contact Bandit Solutions Directly:

Bandit Solutions
PO Box 3022
Peabody, MA 01960
Tel: 562.266.3100 or 866.899.7974 info@banditsolutions.com

www.banditsolutions.com
See video of the product in action there.

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Marine Diesel Dance * Make the Call

A dock mate from Oregon, that keeps his boat up here in Anacortes, WA called me yesterday. He asked if I knew what marine diesel was selling for as the fuel prices around the nation are dropping dramatically over the last few weeks. I topped off 300 gals. in September (boy did that hurt the wallet) so I haven't noticed what the fuel docks are charging lately. I told him I would call around locally and report back.

I called Skyline, Cap Sante and Oak Harbor marinas and was amazed at the fluctuation in today's marine diesel prices. All offered a small discount for 100 plus gallons. The lowest was 3 cents per gal. and the best was 5 cents per gal. One quoted 3.69 another 2.60 and the best was 2.40 before the discounts were applied. All included tax.

What makes such a difference from one to another was worth looking into, so I called the most expensive back and asked. I was told that they set the price based on what they paid when they filled their tanks and don't change it until they refill. Although I can see why this practice exists, It is important to know that a few phone calls to your local marinas can add up to quite a savings.

My vessel carries 600 gallons of diesel. The savings from the highest price to the lowest price that I found today would put $780.00 in my pocket if I went just 4 miles to the other side of the island to fill my tanks.

These times and the almost daily fluctuations in our markets, call for due diligence when purchasing fuel. The days of all area prices being similar are obviously gone!

Don't Get Lost Without One!

You see it on the news all the time!

• Someone has gone for an afternoon hike and has not been seen or heard from for days.
• A persons car goes off the road and they are hidden in the bushes for days before being discovered by a passerby.

You have had it happen to you!

• Your Cruising out of communications range and your family worries about you because you have not been able to check in for days.
• The kids are traveling out of the country and you worry about them day and night while they are gone.
• A loved one is on the road and will be out of cell range for much of the trip, you pray they will arrive safely.

There is no reason for this worry to happen anymore. The SPOT personal satellite tracking unit has changed all this. The SPOT unit is extremely affordable 100% satellite technology and is readily available. I carry the unit for sale at Marine Guard Yacht Security as it is a perfect tool for boat owners. It is also available online directly from the manufacturer, at West Marine stores and Sporting good stores around the world.

The SPOT unit retails for $169.99 and the MAP (minimum advertised price allowed) is $149.99. Most retailers sell the unit at MAP pricing.

Once you purchase the unit , you go online to the SPOT website at www.findmespot.com and you register your unit and choose your annual service plan.

One year of basic monitoring with unlimited "I'm OK" and "Help" messages, along with emergency rescue request calls is $99.00 per year.

You pre- load your favorite contacts cell numbers and e-mail addresses on the web site. whenever you press the OK button, (from anywhere in the world) your friends and loved ones will receive your personal message via text and/or e-mail that you are OK. In addition to your message, they will receive a link to see on Google Maps exactly where you are in the world. (land or Sea) They can zoom in and see exactly the spot where you are by satellite imagery.

You also have a non emergency call for help button. When you press this, a message goes to only the person/s you want to receive your "please take care of that thing we arranged" request.

Most important is your 911 button. If you press this recessed button and hold it for 4 seconds (eliminates accidental presses), a call goes to GEOS dispatch and no matter where you are in the world contact will be made and rescue will be activated. If you are out of the country, a consulate will be notified and if there are no public services available, private rescue will be activated. When you activate the 911 rescue request the unit tracks your GPS movement continuously until you are rescued. Nobody has to wait around hoping to be discovered anymore!!!

Additional services offered are:

Tracking Service: If you hold the OK button down for four or more seconds, tracking is activated and your loved ones can track your locations for 24 hrs
or until you turn the unit off. These tracks are saved to review at any time and come in real handy for future float plans etc... With tracking service anyone with a pass code that you give out, can log on and see where you are during your tracking cycle. To add tracking to your unit cost $49.99 per year.

Rescue Insurance: Lloyd s of London covers up to $100,000.00 per incident for any cost incurred being rescued by activating your SPOT unit. This is particularly handy if private rescue and extradition teams are utilized to facilitate your rescue.
cost is only $7.95 per year if purchased at the time of your units activation.

The SPOT unit has already been responsible for saving a great number of lives since its release last year. It has won invention of the year and editors choice awards etc... from all the best outdoor authorities. It makes an exceptional gift for anyone you care for and yourself. The service can even be gifted with a "Service Gift Card" from the SPOT website.

Are you in the Anacortes, WA area? If you or a loved one are traveling soon and you would like to try the SPOT unit out before you buy one, It would be my pleasure to lend you my demonstration unit for the trip, and teach you how to use it. I only have one activated demo, so be sure to reserve it soon. Once you or a loved one travels with SPOT you will feel the joy of knowing you are being proactive when it comes to life safety.

Matthew
Marine Guard Yacht Security
210 Commercial Ave
Anacortes, WA 98221
360-588-2120
www.MarineGuardSecurity.com

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