Captains meeting manual 2013

Captains Meeting Manual

December 9, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.

Yes – I have read the Captain’s Manual and understand the information/rules provided to me.

Remember, SAFETY IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY. Signature of Captain (parade night): _____________________________ Captain’s Name Print: _________________________ Date: ___________________

Captain’s Meeting hosted by: Winterfest, Inc— Captains’ Meeting

Captains Meeting Manual

December 9, 2013 5:30 p.m. registration 6:00 p.m. meeting Hosted by

Theme: “Passport to Paradise” PARADE DATE: December 14, 2013 Winterfest, Inc— Captains’ Meeting

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Table of Contents Quick Reference Guide for: I. II. III. IV. V. VI.

Tides, Closings, Stage Timings The New River Parade Staging Tips Parade Rules and Procedures After Lake Santa Barbara – the Parade DOESN’T END (if you are traveling South) Contact Information

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Winterfest® Quick Reference Guide: Safety is our first priority!

Please review Tide and Parade Route Highlights in this Manual at Andrews Ave. Bridge Low 12:55 p.m. Dec. 14 High 6:42 p.m. Dec. 14 Low 1:12 a.m. Dec. 15 WATERWAY CLOSURES / BRIDGES: 

The New River is closed to non-Parade participants at 2:30pm.

(Davie Boulevard East to Marker 9)

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The Intracoastal Waterway will be closed South of Oakland Park Blvd. at 5:20pm to all watercraft

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The Intracoastal Waterway will be closed North of Oakland Park Blvd. at 6:20pm to all watercraft

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BRIDGES – Remember, immediately following the Parade, the bridges will go back to their quarter and half hour schedule.

STAGING: •

All boats are encouraged to dock before 4:00pm.

Mandatory Line-Up (you must stage during these time periods): •

Before 4:30 PM - Zone A – Showboats

•

4:45 PM to 5:30 PM - Zones B, C, D, & E

•

4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Zones F & G

•

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Zone H to be docked near Cooley’s

•

5:30 PM - Non-Motorized Boats to enter at Cooley’s Landing and head to Pre-Parade area with ELF BRIGADE

Landing

PARADE TIMING  

9 min to 3rd Ave from Las Olas Riverfront 6 min from 3rd Ave Bridge to Stranahan House/Riverside Hotel

SANTA WILL BE ON A HELICOPTER FOR 2013 Winterfest, Inc— Captains’ Meeting

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5:30 P.M. – Non-Motorized Entries at Stranahan House 6:00 P.M. – Non-Motorized Boats enter Parade; follow the Elf Brigade.

6:00 P.M. - GM Boat leaves RiverHouse Restaurant Dock, makes loop, and travels to Riverside Hotel.

6:10 PM – ROLL CALL (from Fort Lauderdale Marine Patrol). All boaters call into control room on channel 68. If no response, Zone Leaders and Dockwalkers will act.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SOUND IS LOWERED at this time (if you have a DJ aboard – please make sure they are aware of this time since their music can prevent the boat next to them from hearing roll call).

6:29 PM - Coast Guard, Fort Lauderdale Marine Patrol, and BSO ready to lead the Parade at Riverside Hotel. (Note for Coast Guard: inform the Hudson or another Coast Guard vessel to get ready to move into the Parade position) 6:30 PM - WSVN is LIVE with Parade intro.

6:30 PM - Fireworks Barge is off dock from Stranahan House and displays fireworks until 6:31 PM. Followed by Floridian Princess (Grand Marshal Boat) Zone A enters Parade after Floridian Princess (Grand Marshal Boat) passes.

Zone B enters Parade after last boat in Zone A passes.

Zones C, D, E, F*, G and H to follow. *Zone F to meet up with end of Zone E. First boat in Zone F should enter and proceed east when First boat in Zone E (west of Andrews) enters the Parade.

THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL SEPARATELY WITH EACH CAPTAIN AT THE HEAD OF EACH ZONES. o This distance is approximately 705 feet U.S. Coast Guard Hudson (or another Coast Guard vessel) will enter and lead the Parade at the triangle.

PARADE SPEED AND SPACING: Spacing—MOST CRITICAL— 150 feet (50 yards) or safest distance at captain’s discretion. ADJUST SPEED ACCORDINGLY TO ACHIEVE PROPER SPACING! Approximate Speed Guidelines for Parade Participants: TIME REFERENCE: Riverside Hotel to Las Olas Blvd = 12,546 ft. Approx. time = 39min Riverside Hotel to Sunrise Blvd = 19,734 ft. Approx. time = 56 min Riverside Hotel to Oakland Pk Blvd = 30,789 ft. Approx. time = 83 min Riverside Hotel to Commercial Blvd =38,921 ft. Approx. time = 104 min USCG, Ft Lauderdale Marine Patrol, BSO, will pace the Parade.

Stationary pacer boat at Tarpon Bend — Look for hand lights! Green (Speed up), Red (Slow down), Blue (Keep it steady) Winterfest, Inc— Captains’ Meeting

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PARADE RULES AND PROCEDURES: No Santas are allowed on any boats. There is only one Santa in the Parade (#100).

Keep in Line – no exceptions! Do not meander or swerve to get closer to TV or a party on the shoreline. Do not slow or stop for Television. This is a safety issue.

Non-Motorized vessels – Make sure you have Lights! You alpha-letters must be on display. You will follow the ELF Boat in your alpha order.

Once in the Parade, move to the side to allow motorized vessels to pass if needed.

CONTROL ROOM / EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: All Parade captains must monitor Parade Control - VHF Channel 68. Use this for emergencies as well. You must be able to hear your radio and your cell phone in case Parade Control calls you.

Control Room Cell # is 954-249-5343 (Robin) and 954-292-6314 (Kathy).

Boat Numbers need to be clearly visible, well lit and placed Port, Starboard and Stern.

Other Eyes on the Parade: Control Boats define the route. All spectator craft must be behind them. Control Boats have a flashing Amber Light and an identifying Alpha Letter. Control Boats use Channel 78 as primary and Channel 72 as emergency channel back up.

ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS: The Triangle Coast Guard will monitor and assist navigation at the Triangle.

Remember to pass North of the demarcation marker there.

Parade End … we don’t end at Lake Santa Barbara (if you are heading back south) Boaters – if you are traveling: NORTH … the Parade ends at Lake Santa Barbara – follow the rules of the waterway as you travel to your home dock.

SOUTH … ALL PARTICIPANTS travelling South from the Turning Buoy at Lake Santa Barbara WILL continue at Parade Speed and in Parade Procession Winterfest, Inc— Captains’ Meeting

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as vessels travel SOUTH (this will continue south of Commercial Boulevard Bridge). Fort Lauderdale Marine Patrol will continue to escort Parade participants South to help with the mix of Parade Participants and Spectator Crafts.

Prior to the parade, you will know exactly what boat you should be following South if you are continuing south after Lake Santa Barbara.

REMEMBER – your vessel is one of the stars of the “Greatest Show on H2O” – please observe the rules of the waterways to ensure everyone arrives safely to their home dock.

JUDGING OF YOUR ENTRY: Caliber of Decorations Please make sure your boat is sufficiently decorated for the Parade or you will be asked not to enter next year! For tips, you can visit www.winterfestparade.com look for decorating seminar video.

Television/Judging WSVN Channel 7 will have cameras at the Stranahan House and Riverside Hotel as well as the Grandstand Viewing Area at Birch State Park.

Judging will be at the Stranahan House.

PEOPLE CHOICE AWARD: Boaters have the opportunity to be chosen by spectators and television viewers until Jan. 8th so remember the Grandstands at Birch State Park is one of the largest parade viewing location open to the public.

VOTE one of two ways in the “People’s Choice Award”: 1. On the Big1059.com (photos will be uploaded throughout the night).

2. Text the word - Boat (with the parade entry #) to 23000

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VISUAL REFERENCES of Parade Route:

NEW RIVER Become familiar with the area Shallows: Deeper water is on the north side of river.

Current: Can be strong east/west current when tide is moving.

Wind: The channel is a narrow area to work. On a windy day, your tow can get pushed out of the channel fast.

Passing: There is NO PASSING.

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Shallows: A hump can develop near the last canal inbound on the north side. Be especially careful with deep draft tows on low tide. Always shallow in areas marked in red near seawall on north, near marker 11 after the turn and near market 12 before the turn.

Current: Strong currents when the tide is running. Strong current on your nose will make it difficult to turn your tow, especially a tow with a deep draft or bulbous bow.

Go slow and let the tail boat help with the turn.

A following current will assist with the turn. Tail boat can ease up or come all stop and let the stern swing around the turn, then catch the swing as the stern comes around. pass anything big when turning around markers 11 or 12 but in area between 11 and 12, there is room to pass if you have to.

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Shallows: There is one small hump next to the concrete boat slip on the north side of the river.

Current: Strong current can make the bends at the Girls School difficult.

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Shallows: lots of room here, but do not get too close to the seal wall on the south side.

Current: Strong current can make the bend at the tunnel difficult.

Be aware of how you will be set, especially if you stop here to pass.

Control Room

VIP, Television and Judging

C B

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Shallows: None Current: Tight areas are always more difficult with strong currents.

Fender systems under bridges will funnel water and increase the current.

Wind: Strong winds are magnified and direction change by tall buildings. Be prepared for strong gusts and quickly changing wind directions.

Noticeable increases in current at fender systems under ALL bridges.

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Shallows: None

Current: Tight areas are always more difficult with strong current.

Fender systems under bridges will funnel water and increase the current.

Wind: Strong winds are magnified and direction changed by tall buildings. Be prepared for strong gusts and quickly changing wind directions.

Note: Andrews is the slowest bridge on the River, call early for an opening.

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Shallows: The inside of the turn at the Performing Arts Center gets shallow. Make wide turns and don’t get pinched too close when passing other vessels.

Current: Tight areas are always more difficult with strong current. Fender systems under bridges will funnel water and increase the current.

Be careful of the turn at the Performing Arts Center. Strong current on your nose will make it difficult to turn your tow, especially a tow with a deep draft or bulbous bow. Go slow and let the tail boat help with the turn. A following current will assist with the turn. Tail boat can ease up or come all stop and let the stern swing around the turn, then catch the swing as the stern comes around.

Wind: Strong winds are magnified and direction changed by tall buildings.

Be prepared for strong gusts and quickly changing wind directions.

Noticeable increases in current at fender systems under bridges.

No train between 5:00 and 8:30 p.m.

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Staging Area:

F R/R

A Andrews

G E H

D E

3rd Ave

US 1

B C

Each boat is assigned to a piling. The pilling will have the boat’s respective number attached and clearly visible. Each boat shall dock and point in the east direction. The bow of the boat should line up with the numbered piling.

Parade Stage Tips Once at stage location, stay until you’re told to enter parade.

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Winterfest, Inc— Captains’ Meeting

PARADE FILIMNG IN NEW RIVER

FILMING AREA

Cameras in area but NO FILMING

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Intracoastal & Parade End Highlights The TRIANGLE will be the POSITION OF THE COAST GUARD BOAT IN PARADE and one of the largest boat VIEWING areas to watch YOU. Location of COAST GUARD HUDSON (or another Coast Guard vessel) will join the parade. Remember to pass NORTH of the demarcation marker in this area.

Atlantic Boulevard Bridge

Lake Santa Barbara, Turnaround

PARADE END Commercial Boulevard Bridge

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TURNAROUND BUOY –DAY AND NIGHT

Kathy Keleher (Winterfest) Control Room # is 954-292-6314 John Haley – Parade Chair # is 954-260-6194 Robin Terrill - Control Room # is 954-249-5343

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QUESTIONS: LATE FOR THE PARADE? STAGING? YOU CANNOT CUT or TRY TO ENTER THE PARADE DURING PROCESSION You must call parade control for directions.

WATCH AND REPORT if you see:       

A boat having difficulty maneuvering the parade Spectator crafts too close to the parade path A manatee in the parade path Disabled vessel Boats that are too slow Boats that are meandering or “showboating,” which causes them to slow and speed up their parade pace Excessive speed or excessive separation

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