Despite low tide and winds which kept some mariners away, the Blessing of the Fleet was a success thanks to the efforts of many OYC’ers, especially John Robey, Mike Czop, Ed Sledzonia, Dave Moore, Tom and Mary Ann Coldwell, Rudy and Cookie Zimpel. Once again, we had outstanding support from two flotillas of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Fairfax and PWC public safety vessels, Potomac Marine, and the participation of PWYC and FYC in planning and conducting the event. Some 85 vessels were blessed by Retired Navy Chaplains Russ Gunter and Jim
Moran. The Washington Post and the Potomac News both published articles and photos.
On the downside, at least four vessels went aground when they strayed too far to the green side of the Occoquan off of Fairfax Yacht Club. The markers there are deceptive, so do not assume that the channel goes where it does not. This is a continuing issue and complicated because the Corps has the responsibility for dredging, but the Coast Guard has the responsibility for marking.
Of course, a major temporal (vs spiritual) benefit of the Blessing is the enabling of us to get our elected officials together on the VIP boat to point out to them the continuing issues with the low water. It could not have been planned better for them to see the boats getting towed off of ground when we were coming back into the river. They will continue to help us push the dredging issue with the Corps.
The No Wake Zone extension is also proceeding and has been approved in PWC and is pending in Fairfax County. As of now, Belmont Harbour Marina has put out no wake signs, and they should be observed. Unfortunately, some boaters are choosing to ignore them and when responsible boaters slow down before they get to Belmont coming in, they are almost rammed by those who do not choose to slow down. We have been advised by Belmont Harbor that they anticipate being able to have the new no wake signs up in early June. For now, please observe the new “unofficial” no wake zone and do not come up on plane until you are past the marina going out, and come off plane in time that your wake does not wash the docks on the way in - about 100 yards before the marina at a minimum.
The Corps of Engineers, after all this time, recently sent a letter to Ruth Griggs, PWC Supervisor stating:”The project conditions survey performed in June 2000 indicates that adequate channel depths exist within the authorized Federal Channel and the Channel does not require dredging. Other portions of the creek may require dredging, however, such work may not be within the authority granted us by the existing project authorization. We will be performing another condition survey of the Federal Channel during the month of May 2001. We will send you a copy of the new survey when it
is completed....If the survey indicates that the channel needs maintenance dredging, we will request that Prince William County identify a suitable placement site for the dredged material."
We continue to receive reports of groundings and damage. PWYC reported four boats hit in the channel between markers 8 and 10 in the past several weeks. Several of our members have similarly damaged props recently. Guess the Corps definition of “adequate depth” must be for canoes.
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