TCPalm.com

7:59 PM EDT, May 13, 2008

PORT SALERNO - Members of the Martin County Fire Rescue Hazmat team responded to a fuel clean-up Tuesday morning after a boater pumped gasoline into his fishing rod holder instead of his gas tank.

The boater pumped about 100 gallons of gasoline at the Finest Kind Marina fuel dock before he noticed the problem, but only about 15 gallons polluted the water, marina employees said.

The rest of the gasoline seeped into the boat’s bilge tank, witnesses said.

The man’s fishing boat was towed from the fuel dock to Sandsprit Park so Hazmat officials could secure the fuel, said Jeff Alter, Fire Rescue bureau chief.
Marina employees said it’s not uncommon to see boaters pump fuel into fishing rod holders because the holder is often close to the fuel tank hole.

Gone fishin’
Kevin Dougherty of Tamarac, left, helps Gayle Oller of Coral Springs hold up the 68-pound bull dolphin that Oller caught Saturday trolling a skirted ballyhoo in 500 feet off Lantana. (Photo courtesy of Linda Oller / April 15, 2008)

The owner and crew of the “Dolphins” hooked up on sunday in a big way. “I recieved a phone call from a buddy 8 miles out on the 02 line” Capt Neil stated. The crew was in the midst of an inshore drift with the kite out when the call came in. Capt Neil called for the lines in and rushed to the “spot”.

The “spot” was only a  tree trunk penetrating the surface by approximately 3 feet “God only knows how far that thing goes below the surface” Capt John excitedly said over the phone! 

The action started the second “Dolphins” arrived on scene! They hauled in 5 dolphin and missed 3 more, while potentially losing a few wahoo.

A little bumpy offshore, with 4 to 6 foot seas beating and battering the crew for most of the day, but you wouldnt have known that when they arrived at the dock. They had too much fun catching fish!

Howard, Bob & Carlos….

This crew forgot to deploy thier anchor as they headed toward shore. This can be in most cases a costly salvage situation.

A boat on a canal in between Northeast 33rd and 34th just east of Bayview Drive is engulfed in flames. The fire occurred between 2 and 2:30 PM. The Ft Lauderdale Fire Department responded to the call. (Sun-Sentinel, January 31, 2008)

Waterway Cleanup has long been recognized as Broward County’s largest environmental cleanupeffort and annually draws broad-based business and community support and participation. “Last year theevent brought together nearly 3,000 community volunteers who were able to collect an impressive 67 tonsof trash and debris,” said Marilyn Mammano, Waterway Cleanup Committee Chair for the MIASF. “Withfive new sites, we are anticipating more volunteers than ever before and looking forward to a recordbreaking year!”Local business, government agency and civic organization sponsors to date include: mediapartners Comcast and The Miami Herald; Poster Artist Carey Chen; partner sponsors Florida InlandNavigation District, Broward County Environmental Protection Department, Publix Supermarkets, SafelyMoored Boat Training & Yacht Management; press conference sponsor Boat Trader Magazine; first mate-sponsors Broward County Waste and Recycling Services, Crooks Printing Service, Florida MarlinsCommunity Foundation; second mate sponsors J.M. Family Enterprises, Myers Myers and AdamsAdvertising, Star brite, FlexSol, Ward’s Marine Electric; deck hand sponsor Total Marine Solutions; andflag sponsor South Florida Water Management District.

The Cleanup is an integral part of the Association’s ongoing initiative “Our Waterways, OurFuture…Our Responsibility”, a campaign to promote public participation in charting a course for thesustainability of Florida’s most precious resource, its waterways.

The MIASF is a not-for-profit trade organization created in 1961 to promote and protect the soundgrowth of the marine industry in South Florida for the benefit and education of its members, thecommunity and the environment. The Association has 800 members in Broward, Miami-Dade, and PalmBeach Counties and is the owner of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

For more information about the 31st Annual Waterway Cleanup or the MIASF, or to become asponsor of this year’s Waterway Cleanup, contact Melanie Daily, Public Relations and Event Coordinatorat (954) 524-2733, melanie@miasf.org, or visit www.waterwaycleanup.org

AVENTURA - A boat exploded in Aventura Sunday, sending one man to the hospital.According to a media release, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials responded to the fire at the High Lift Marina located at 2890 NE 187 Street around 11:30 a.m.According to the boat’s owner, the rear of the 28-foot pleasure boat exploded after he tried to start the motors.

Fire rescue officials transported the boat’s owner to a nearby trauma center for treatment. No other injuries were reported.

Authorities said the fire was so intense that it caused considerable damage to two boats docked on either side of the burning vessel. The boat of origin is considered a total loss.

Fire officials said the cause of the fire is unknown and is currently under investigation.

This year’s Winterfest Boat Parade promises to be the very model of holiday flash and maritime merriment that residents have come to expect.

But this season, for the first time in its 36-year history, the procession of decorated vessels takes a new direction down the New River, and the party is spilling over to the banks as well.

While skippers are bedecking their crafts with finery either traditional or zany, hoteliers along the route are bracing for full houses. Waterfront bar and restaurant owners are erecting grandstands and hiring extra staff. Riverside condo dwellers are hosting parties on balconies.     

The much anticipated arrival of The Virtual LogBook from SafelyMoored, was introduced late wednesday December 5, 2007. The Virtual LogBook allows Yacht Management clients to login to thier account and access updated pictures, billing info & up to the minute reports about their boat! Clients will know instantly when work is completed with their yacht.