Blog | Marine Special Products

Blessing of the Fleet Ceremonies: Serenity for some, Celebration for all

June 8, 2016 By EJ Vongher

Tracing their origins back centuries to Mediterranean fishing villages, annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies are based on a tradition meant to ensure a safe and bountiful season for the area’s commercial fishing community. Over time, however, they have morphed into community gatherings as much about food and festivities as they are about acts to provide sea captains and their crew with feelings of safety and serenity.

Brought to our Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island shores by immigrants who held strongly to their religious beliefs, most Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies today go well beyond the Catholic mass and blessing to include parades, pageantry, dancing, feasting and, in a few instances, road races.

Whether one takes stock in the value of divine providence or view the ceremony as another opportunity to court good fortune, most Blessing of the Fleet activities involve fun for the entire family and, in come cases, the ability to see grown men running along a greased pole (Gloucester, MA).

Here in Connecticut, the oldest Blessing of the Fleet ceremony is in Stonington, where this year’s events will mark the 63rd annual blessing. Of the Stonington observances, event co-chair Michael Crowley has said, “It’s so important to bless these boats and these fishermen, the ones that are still fishing, because the peril is still there.” Since records have been kept, it’s believed some 38 Stonington fishermen have perished at sea. In addition to the fleet blessing, most of the ceremonies also include an observation for those who have perished while working the waters so vital to these communities historic economic interests.

Owing to their religious heritage, it is common to hear biblical verses read at these ceremonies. Two of the most common are Psalm 104, versus 24-31 and Psalm 107, versus 23-32. An often-read prayer at many Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies is the following: “Most gracious Lord, who numbered among your apostles the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John, we pray you to consecrate this boat to righteous work in your name. Guide the captain at her helm. So prosper her voyages that an honest living may be made. Watch over her passengers and crew and bring them to a safe return. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon this vessel and all who come aboard, this day and forever. Amen”

Should you be a boat owner seeking every avenue of protection against misfortune or someone interested in an enjoyable summer afternoon outing, A Blessing of the Fleet ceremony should prove interesting and enjoyable. Here is some information about local Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies:

City/State/Port	Date	Website/Email Address	Phone
Montauk, NY	June 12	marina@starislanddyc.com	1 (631) 668-5503
Southport, CT	June 18	www.southportconservancy.org/blessing-of-the-fleet.html	1 (203) 255-2877
Milford, CT	June 19	fleetcaptain@milfordyachtclub.com	1 (203) 783-0060
City Island, NY	June 26	www.tinyurl.com/CityIslandBotF	1 (718) 652-3056
Stonington, CT	July 31	st.marychurchstonbor@comcast.net	1 (860) 535-1700
Narragansett, RI	July 30	www.narragansettlionsclub.com	1 (401) 783-7121

National Safe Boating Week – A Brief History

May 17, 2016 By EJ Vongher

The origins of National Safe Boating Week, slated for May 21-27 this year, can be traced back to a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary persuading the town of Amesbury, MA to issue an “Auxiliary Day” proclamation in June of 1949. Three years later, that same Auxiliarist, Steve Sadowski, helped organize a weekend of Courtesy Marine Examinations which was the forerunner to the Vessel Safety Checks now featured during many Safe Boating Weeks.

Soon afterward, the governors of Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island joined Massachusetts in providing annual celebrations of the local Coast Guard Auxiliary and boat safety inspections. Momentum picked up in 1956 when the state of Hawaii enlisted local entertainer “Lucky” Luck, who later appeared in episodes of “Hawaii Five-O”, to promote vessel checks and the first Safe Boating Week. In 1957, USCG Auxiliary leadership launched the first nationwide observance of safe boating during the week of June 30 – July 6. The Coast Guard prepared a formal resolution to establish National Safe Boating Week (NSBW), and then convened a committee from industry, yachting groups and the United States Power Squadron (USPS) to promote the resolution. A house bill, sponsored by Representative Charles Chamberlain of Michigan, passed on June 4, 1958. The US Senate modified the bill to include dates covering July 4th, and the first NSBW was kicked off by President Eisenhower’s White House.

The Federal Safe Boating Act of 1958 became law just months later, and the National Safe Boating Week Committee (later to become the National Safe Boating Council – NSBC) was formed. The Coast Guard had no funds for the observance or promotion so industry trade groups funded activities. Spearheaded by Guy Hughes, Outboard Club of America, groups such as the Girl & Boy Scouts, American Red Cross, National Safety Council, American Yachtsmen Association and the National Association of Marine Dealers got the campaign underway by providing funds and manpower to produce kits, posters, and manage activities for local events.

Recreational boating boomed in the 1960’s as fiberglass power boats became affordable and water skiing became popular. Initially viewed as reckless and dangerous, the American Water Ski Association joined NSBW to burnish the sport’s tarnished image and to ward off government regulation. The Federal Safe Boating Act of 1971 transformed the boating landscape and introduced funding for the states as well as organizing enforcement activity under the Coast Guard which provided order to this rapidly expanding recreational activity.

The Bicentennial celebration of 1976 marked a transformation for the newly-formed National Safe Boating Committee, which utilized a nationwide tour of historic Tall Ships – OPSAIL, to kick off radio and television programs, safety exhibits, search and rescue demonstrations, parades, open houses, posters, milk cartons and giveaways promoting boating safety. It was during this timeframe that National Safe Boating Week was moved to early June, recognizing that most boats were in the water well before July 4th. Almost two decades later, the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) argued the timing should be even earlier and persuaded the Coast Guard in 1993 to designate the first full week before Memorial Day as NSBW.

The first official federal funding for NSBW came about with the passage of the Wallop-Breaux amendment to the Sport Fish Recreation Act. This led the way for some higher-profile promotional activities. For example, in 1987 Popeye the Sailor Man was introduced to the campaign. In 1998, “Coastie” the robotic boat joined in Auxiliary efforts.

The current NSBW campaign was established in 2003 and focused on the fact that nearly 80% of on-the-water fatalities had one thing in common: the lack of a life jacket. Moreover, studies in 2001 showed that two thirds of all fatal accidents involved a sudden capsizing or fall overboard where merely having a life jacket on board was little help. The message of the current campaign is simple and direct: Wear It. Most states now have laws directed at children of various ages, and a Federal regulation has been enacted. Those involved in NSBW will provide communications materials, and energize volunteers and safety personnel to spread this simple but important message. All 50 States have adopted the Wear It theme in some capacity, tailoring it to their particular state.

To learn more about the Wear It campaign and National Safe Boating Week, please visit The National Safe Boating Council or the North American Safe Boating website.

Luck at Sea – How to stack the deck in your favor

April 29, 2016 By EJ Vongher

With National Safe Boating Week just around the corner and the climate here in southern New England finally making the turn to boating weather, now is as good a time as any to spend a moment on boating safety.

Given the unpredictable and powerful nature of the ocean, it’s little wonder that ancient mariners and their contemporary counterparts put so much thought into improving their fortunes at sea. As superstitious as anyone who gives over control to the unknown, some of the things they did (and still do today) are curious to say the least. Never boarding left foot first? Placing a silver coin beneath the mast? How many of these superstitions do you know? Take our quiz to gauge your knowledge.

One old adage we know to be absolutely true when it comes to safety at sea is that fortune favors the prepared. So if you want to stack the deck in your favor when it comes to the fortunes of you, your crew and your vessel while boating ,we strongly suggest you consider taking a safe boating course. Depending upon where you live, you can learn more about courses available in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island.

The Hartford Boat Show – a sure-fire cure for Amarinus Extremus

January 27, 2016 By EJ Vongher

While the weather has been a little more forgiving so far this winter, that doesn’t change the fact that most of us have been on the hard for a month or two now. If you are like the majority of your fellow boaters, you are currently at maximum risk for Amarinus Extremus. It’s a term we at Marine Special Products Group have coined for the collection of symptoms one displays after an extended period away from boating. If not managed, it can become serious.

As a public service to our fellow mariners, we offer up some timely tips to stave off the confusing and sometimes comical behaviors one adopts when afflicted with this dreaded disease (have you ever seen someone toss a spring line as they pull their car up to a gas pump? Not pretty).

Management tip #1 – get up to the Connecticut Marine Trades Association Hartford Boat Show. Beginning today, Jan 28th and running through Sunday the 31st, it’s a great opportunity to put you and your crew into the boating mindset. Learn more here: http://hartfordboatshow.com/

Management tip #2 – stop by our booth (S13) and talk about Marine Systems Upgrades. It might not be the right time for a completely-new Marine Sanitation System, brand new Boat AC or the next generation Navigation System, but you could enhance your comfort and convenience by upgrading an aspect of your existing system. Learn more at our Systems Upgrade page.

Management tip #3 – win tickets to see the new movie The Finest Hours. Based upon a real-life US Coast Guard operation in the early 50s, the film showcases the bravery that typifies our Coasties in the face of an angry, treacherous mid-winter Northern Atlantic. Stop by our booth to register. If you can’t make it to the show, send us an email with your name, phone number, email address and the make/model of your boat (we promise not to share your information with anyone!)

Amarinus Extremus is real, and it can be debilitating (visualize yourself trying to shovel your driveway with a boat hook). But together, we can beat it. Join us at the Hartford Boat Show and join the battle.

Late Season Maintenance Considerations

August 26, 2015 By EJ Vongher

It’s mid-August afternoon, the mercury is skyrocketing and all you can think about is stepping off the dock onto your boat and spending the next week cruising along the coast of The Long Island Sound. You’re set to shove off in the morning when your out-of-town crew will turn up but for now, you’re looking forward to an evening of air-conditioned bliss at the marina where you’ll plot your course for the next week.

When you arrive at the dock, things suddenly start to unravel. You immediately notice your boat AC isn’t working – perhaps the timer failed? As you step aboard, the normally welcoming aroma of your vessel has turned decidedly funky. The icing on the cake? When you go to raise your yard mechanic on the VHF, you realize it’s on the fritz as well. The triple whammy – no AC, a smelly boat and no radio. Dramatic? Yes. But not improbable. Two months into the boating season and your vessel has no doubt seen some heavy use so if maintenance or usage issues are going to crop up, now is as good (or rather, bad?) a time as any.

The first thing to note is that we here at Marine Special Products Group are on call for emergency repairs. Call DG on 1 (860) 718-0100. Related – we are experts in Marine Sanitation, Marine Air Conditioning and Marine Electronics so we will be able to diagnose your problem and come up with a plan.

If you are concerned about the viability of these critical systems prior to a lengthy cruise (or a lengthy visit from some out of town guests), we’d be happy to come inspect them for you and provide recommendations on their upkeep and preservation. While we do ask for a nominal inspection charge, it’s definitely in the ounce-of-prevention camp. Another thing to consider are these mid-season maintenance suggestions which might help get an older or stressed system through the season:

Boat AC

Let’s start with the easiest one first; a common cause of overworked or overloaded boat air conditioning systems (and boat refrigeration systems, for that matter), is dirty or clogged air return filters. If you often have a pet aboard your vessel, the buildup of dust and hair can cause clogs. Other causes include docking your boat in more urban environments, construction going on in your marina or, not surprisingly, just you and your family being aboard as the average human being sheds more than eight pounds of dead skin annually! Given all these sources for dust, you can save yourself a major headache with a relative easy inspection and an almost as easy replacement, if warranted.

Most boat air conditioning manufacturers recommend that you chemically de-scale the condensing coil every 24 months so if you don’t recall when you did this last, you should probably look into it. In addition to avoiding breakdowns, a properly-descaled system will run more efficiently saving you power and money.

Another concern is water buildup in the condensation pans caused by condensation drain blockages, potentially resulting in flooding of floors and lockers and, consequently, mold or mildew buildup (and the associated odors). To avoid these costly and unpleasant possibilities, make sure the condensate pans are draining properly.

Marine Sanitation

While we work on a wide variety of marine sanitation systems, our comments here focus on Vacuflush systems which are as desirable for odor abatement as they are delicate. An overarching thought on marine sanitation systems: think of maintaining them in the very same way you treat your engine – monitor its performance closely and service it regularly.

Regarding maintenance, we’ll start with another easy one. When you are topsides, does your nose readily make you aware that a crew member has used the head? If this is the case, you very well may need to replace your holding tank vent filter. It stops odors from escaping through the holding tank vent and it is recommended to replace it annually.

Another area of concern are the duckbill valves in the vacuum generator. Most people don’t service these and just run them until they fail. When that failure happens is key though, isn’t it? The manufacturers recommend these be replaced every other boating season so if you haven’t done that, it’s something you should strongly consider.

Finally, if you are sensing any deficiency in vacuum pressure or seeing water or sewage leakage at the head, it may be time to replace your flush ball assembly or the teflon bowl seal. The manufacturer recommendation on this is to replace these parts every three-to-five years, depending upon conditions and use. A failure here in the wrong circumstances can really foul up a passage or a holiday weekend.

Electronics upgrades

In addition, now is a good time to think about mid-season software and firmware upgrades for navigational electronics. Having the most current software and electronic chart data for your marine electronics can increase safety, ease of use and functionality.

Changes to chart information, GPS satellite constellations, tide and current data, and system reliability can affect the navigation system’s ability to safely guide you to your destination. Manufacturers of marine electronics are constantly making improvements to the user interface and experience. Frequently, software updates offer dramatic changes to the way you interact with your system.

New features are what it is all about. Over the past few years, software updates have unlocked on-screen control of autopilots, marine stereo systems, thermal cameras and electronic switching of devices, as well as networking of previously stand alone systems. We are well-versed in the latest Marine Electronics updates – let us review your system and see what enhancements can be made to your current setup to optimize your safety and enjoyment.

Finally, as we move into that tail end of the boating season, don’t forget to start thinking about both decommissioning as well as boat projects you’d like to tackle in the off-season. We’ll follow up with another post soon about our winter labor discounts.

This season’s new electronics: seeing is believing

April 28, 2015 By EJ Vongher

Spring. That time of year when a boater’s attention happily shifts from months-long concerns about torn shrink wrap and frozen engine block to visions of serene anchorages, picturesque sunsets or landing a trophy striped bass. This spring, some of the new boating electronics can help you experience those visions in vivid and breakthrough ways.

One of the most exciting technologies out there is the new Garmin Panoptix All-Seeing sonar. Introduced in February of this year, this new sonar technology allows boaters to see all around their boats in real time. You can see what’s below you on each side of your vessel as well as forward and aft at any moment, even while you are stationary.

Garmin Marine Sales Director David Dunn describes it this way, “We at Garmin have changed the way you use sonar – this is all new sonar, you’ve never seen anything like this before. This is multi-beam technology with phased ray. We can actually steer our beam; can you imagine chasing bait and steering your transducer toward the bait so you can see where the bait ball is instead of actually having to drive over it and chase them all morning. Saves fuel, saves time – catch more fish.”

Some of the images Garmin has released to demonstrate the Panoptix All-Seeing sonar are pretty impressive. We’ve always been impressed with the ease-of-use and vivid imagery which seem to go hand-in-hand with Garmin products and the interface and optics with the Panoptix system definitely do not disappoint.

For fishermen, the Panoptix system will certainly be a boon to increasing their catch. The forward transducer provides two impressive views, showing the bottom plus fish and bait swimming in the water column in front of your boat – in real time. You can even see your lure as you reel it in. It will also show 3D views of fish and structure in front of your boat.

Another new and noteworthy introduction from Garmin this season is the GPSMAP 7600 series chartplotter/sonar combos. These systems are designed specifically for boaters demanding high performance, ease of operation and multiple feature integration.

Each product in the 7600 line possesses built-in sonar capabilities build around 1 kW dual CHIRP sonar, some seriously sophisticated sonar technology in its own right, but are also compatible with the Panoptix All-Seeing sonar described above.

Another whizzy aspect of the GPSMAP 7600 series is the Garmin Helm app feature, which allows you to view and control your chartplotter from a smartphone or tablet, allowing better situational awareness. Cooler still is that you can even record a movie of your chartplotter screen to share with friends and family.

But the real “why didn’t someone think of this before” feature is the enhanced SOS Button functionality on some of the 7600 units. If a Garmin VHF radio is connected via NMEA 2000, the SOS button on the GPSMAP 7608 takes you to a list of distress categories such as fire, aground, man overboard, etc. For example, in a sinking situation, the radio would send a DSC distress message with the specific code for sinking, which is something few people know how to do with their DSC radio even in calm circumstances. Possibly more valuable is the displayed script of the proper things to say once the radio goes from DSC to audio mode. If a Garmin AIS is on the network even your boat’s name and call sign will be filled in, and there other screens available to help you manage a problem.

If you are interested in a Boat Electronics consultation, either drop us a line or give us a call on 1 (860) 718-0100. Thank you.

How to beat boat odor

March 8, 2015 By EJ Vongher

Ooooh that smell. Can’t you smell that smell. The smell of death surrounds you. If you are a boater of a certain age, those words might warmly conjure up a band of Southern rock and rollers. However, if you are a boater with an acute or lingering moldy, musty odor, an altogether different and far from positive image comes to mind: a smell like death which, if not treated properly, can be the end of comfort and enjoyment aboard your boat.

Many boaters take boat odors for granted; they are something you put up with, will quickly abate when you are underway or in a wind-swept anchorage or marina or can be temporarily eliminated with deodorizers, air fresheners or a bit of elbow grease and a strong cleaner. However, persistent or chronic boat odors often indicate more pernicious factors may be at play.

One primary source of on-going “old boat smell” lies literally at the bottom of every boat – the bilge. As the lowest point in the interior of any vessel, it serves as a catchall for all manner of fluids, food particles and everyday dust and dirt. However, its location below the floorboards can make it difficult, if not impossible to clean and, especially problematic for mold, bacteria and fungus build-up, to keep dry.

Here at Marine Special Products Group, we have entered into a partnership with Florida-base Arid Bilge Systems to install and service their patented Dry Bilge Machine. Their system uses microprocessor technology, along with small-diameter lengths of plastic tubing and a variety of ultra sensitive pickups, to periodically, automatically, and thoroughly drain all water from one or more bilge compartments. This system works to remove the remaining fluids which your bilge pumps fail to remove, leaving the bilge bone-dry and therefore starving mold, bacteria and fungus of a key element they need to grow: moisture.

Another root cause of “old boat smell” is the quality of the actual air in the boat itself. For most recreational boaters, the plain fact is that their boats don’t get used that often and keeping a large space closed for a week or two creates a perfect storm for the spread of mold, mildew, and other airborne threats to a person’s respiratory system and overall health.

This is where our expertise in Marine Air Conditioning can help with boat odors. Boat AC does more than just cool the air in a stateroom or saloon; it also conditions the air by drying and filtering it, which keeps the onboard environment less damp and free from airborne particles. In situations where air quality is questionable, we often recommend a solution such as Dometic Marine’s (www.dometic.com) Breathe Easy Portable Air Purifier or In-Duct Air Purifiers.

A compact Breathe Easy portable unit can reduce airborne odors from mildew, food, tobacco, and other sources via its Photocatalytic Nano-Mesh technology with ultraviolet light. Technically speaking, the UV light bulb in the purifier activates a titanium-diode catalyst on the surface of the mesh which absorbs pollutants and odors, allowing clean air to return to the cabin. The Breathe Easy In-Duct model uses the same technology but is installed in-line in air conditioning duct hoses.

If you are contending with that smell, that old boat smell, we have a variety of solutions to help eliminate the source of noxious odors. Drop us a line and we’d appreciate the opportunity to come by your vessel and help you once again breathe in the fresh, salty smell that boating is meant to represent.

Our winter discount is the cure for Amarinus Extremus

December 22, 2014 By EJ Vongher

The cause of Amarinus Extremus?

For many boaters in the northeast, the time from mid-December to mid-March brings on some level of amarinus extremus. An affliction whose milder characteristics include the unwarranted application of suntan lotion, donning of topsiders to shovel the drive and the re-emergence of small plastic floating objects in the bath, amarinus extremus left unchecked can result in some serious consequences. Last season, for example, a more severe case resulted in a boater installing bow thrusters on his Chevy Suburban.

This condition can be treated if caught early; the installation of masthead tri-lights atop a Christmas tree is a warning sign. When you see this happening, re-immerse the boater in some form of boating activity immediately. Many initial treatments involve gingerbeer, usually with rum. Treatments sho Screen Shot 2014-12-22 at 11.57.30 AM uld include hands-on boating projects; here is a list of some quickies published by Boating Magazine five years ago which have broad application today.

However, these are band aids. The only real cure is action involving the boater’s vessel. Here, we can help. What better way to engage with your boat during the frigid winter months than to let us upgrade or repair the systems within your vessel? New AC sure would be nice, right? OK – bad example when the mercury is plummeting. How about a new heating system? What about dry bilge systems? We’ve recently partnered with Arid Bilge to install systems that will have the bottom of your boat feeling like the Sahara.

We know how important getting projects like these underway can be to curing Mal de Tierra so right now through February 28, 2015, we are offering a 25% reduction in our normal labor rates. So give us a call or drop us an email; we’ll do our part to stem this scourge of the non-seas!

Fall Decommissioning: an ounce of prevention or a ton of cure.

September 26, 2014 By EJ Vongher

“I’m winterizing the boat this weekend.” Are there words an avid boater ever says with less enthusiasm? Their very nature indicates the end of the boating season here in New England, a return to wearing socks and sweaters, and the fear that said winterization will not go off without a hitch. This might explain why so many boat insurance companies put out fairly detailed guides dedicated to vessel decommissioning; as the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Personally, I hate to see bad fortune fall upon anyone. But professionally, my business reaps great rewards from bungled decommissionings. During this boating season alone I’ve repaired or replaced numerous marine air conditioning units which were perfectly serviceable at the end of last summer. Exhibit number one are the burst coils on this unit whose owner assured me he had winterized it to the manufacturer specifications.

Burst coils due to improper winterization

Compressed air did not remove all the water from the coil, and the rupture that resulted led to a catastrophic failure of the entire system. Water expands when it freezes, and the copper is simply not strong enough to withstand the pressure. Few of us are.

That said, I’d much prefer to earn my living helping boaters improve their overall boating experience – specifying and installing systems for climate control, marine sanitation, moisture abatement or entertainment and navigational electronics, rather than fixing problems that didn’t have to happen. Therefore, unless you’ve spent some time drawing a paycheck from a marina, I strongly encourage you to leave the winterization process to the professionals.

When you place your winterization in the hands of marinas or boatyards like Mystic Shipyard, Noank Village, Oak Leaf Marina, Palmer Point or Petzold’s, you are assured the job is handled properly and you needn’t worry when the mercury drops below freezing for weeks at a time. And, if you place any stock in the Farmer’s Almanac, this coming winter is supposed to be quite cold.

If you need a recommendation on a good marina partner to perform your winterization, please don’t hesitate to email me.

USGC seeks input on modernizing maritime navigation

July 16, 2014 By D.G. Fitton

Do you have thoughts on how maritime navigation can be improved? The US Coast Guard is right now seeking input. Here is a link to their survey on this issue which impacts commercial and recreational boaters alike.

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