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Captain Lou's Nautical News Headlines

Capt Lou's Latest Nautical News BRUNSWICK SUSPENDS BOAT PRODUCTION Brunswick Corporation announced that it will suspend production of boats and engines starting tomorrow for at least a few weeks in response to the impact of the coronavirus. This is being done in the best interest of the safety and health of our employees as well as to better balance production levels with some projected near-term global market weakness. David Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation's Chief Executive Officer, said because of the company's current inventory position, Brunswick remains confident that it will meet its market needs during this period. He said that the outbreak and rapid proliferation of the coronavirus has disrupted the global marine market and Brunswick's business. Some of Brunswick Corporation�fs leading consumer brands include Mercury Marine outboard motors, Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard engines, and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils. Its boat brands include Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern boats. Brunswick also owns Boating Services Network, Freedom Boat Club, NAUTIC-ON, and OnBoard Boating Club and Rentals. LOBSTERMEN LOSE RESTAURANT MARKET With dine in restaurants ordered closed, lobstermen are taking it on the chin. Beth Casoni, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen�fs Association, said she heard that some dealers in Maine were refusing to buy any more lobsters. Right now, with at least a three-week restaurant closure, there is no place for the live product to go. In response to the market upheaval, the Massachusetts Lobstermen�fs Association is working with federal and state officials to stabilize local markets and explore potential means of relief for the industry. Casoni said the Mass Lobstermen�fs Association is working with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries to allow harvesters to sell their catch directly to the public off their boats. Also, she advised her members to consider accessing a low interest loan program included in Gov. Charlie Baker�fs announced $10 million relief fund for state businesses whose markets and operations are being ravaged by the public health crisis. She also announced the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association has cancelled its 2020 Annual Weekend & Industry Trade Show that was set for April 17th and 18th in Hyannis. COAST GUARD CLOSES EXAM CENTERS Coast Guard officials said that all of the 17 Regional Examination Centers across the country are now closed to the public until further notice. That means all customer walk-in service is suspended and all scheduled examinations and appointments are cancelled. However, in an effort to minimize customer service disruptions, the Customer Service Center call center is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, but mariners are asked to not try to reschedule appointments until the NMC re-opens the appointment calendars. The NMC will provide notice when the calendars are available. National Endorsements such as Merchant Mariner Credentials and Medical Certificates that expire between March 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020, are extended until Oct. 31, 2020. As for Pilot Annual Physical Examinations, the Coast Guard does not intend to enforce this requirement given the current national emergency and the lack of medical care. This measure only relaxes the requirement for an annual physical and not the actual medical standards. FISHERY OBSERVERS AND MONITORS SUSPENDED NOAA Fisheries announced that as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are temporarily waiving the requirement for vessels with Northeast fishing permits to carry a fishery observer or an at-sea monitor. The waiver will be in effect through April 4, and future extensions of this waiver will be evaluated weekly. RULES FOR GULF OF MAINE COD AND HADDOCK UNCHANGED NOAA Fisheries also issued a reminder that current recreational fishing measures for the Gulf of Maine cod and haddock fishery remain in place until Fishing Year 2020 measures are implemented. That means that the recreational Gulf of Maine cod fishery is closed until September 15, 2020. NOAA expects to have the new rules in place by early summer. STELLWAGEN SANCTUARY OFFICE CLOSED TO PUBLIC Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary has closed its office to the public, but the sanctuary's general phone number 781-545-8026 is being monitored regularly. The public scoping period for a new management plan is still in place. Comments may be submitted via email to SBNMSMANAGEMENTPLAN@NOAA.GOV or by U.S. mail to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, 175 Edward Foster Road, Scituate, MA 02066, Attn: Management Plan Revision. The deadline for comments is April 10, 2020. A virtual public scoping meeting is being planned. All meetings and public events scheduled for March and April have been cancelled. Research Vessel Auk cruises are either being postponed or planned with minimal staffing for safe operation. All volunteer and intern assignments will be virtual. There will be no in-person interactions. 28 YEARS ON RADIO STATION WATD 95.9 FM AND NOW ON WMEX 1510 AM Tune in to "Nautical Talk Radio" with Capt Lou and crew Sunday mornings 11-noon (Boston time) on radio stations WATD 95.9 FM on WMXE 1510 AM for the latest nautical news. Also streamed around the world on www.959watd.com. Listen anytime to replay of recent shows at at www.NauticalTalk.com. Recipient of 2018 Mass Boating & Yacht Clubs "Gannett Award" Winner of MASS/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW" Winner of Boston's Achievement in Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" award Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY" award Recipient of Coast Guard's Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service Nominated Boston's A,I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM" Judge of IBEX Innovation Products Judge of NMMA's Progressive New England Boat Show's Exhibitors 25 Year Retired Status U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Member of Boston Harbor Islands National Park Advisory Council Member of South Shore Harbormasters Association Member of Mass Marine Trades Association Member of Quincy Bay Race Week Member of Mass Boating and Yacht Club Association Member of Stellwagen Bank Charterboat Association Member of Boat Writers International Member of Boat/US Life Member of Mass Striped Bass Association Life Member and Past Commodore of Metropolitan Yacht Club

 

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS ON RADIO STATION 95.9FM WATD"

Listen to the live broadcast of "Nautical Talk Radio" with Capt Lou and crew, Sunday mornings from 11 - 12 noon (Boston time) on radio station  95.9FM WATD, streaming around the world on www.959watd.com. You can also listen to a replay of recent shows anytime during the week a www.NauticalTalk.com.

* Winner of Mass/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW"
* Winner of Boston's Achievement In Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" AWARD
* Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY AWARD"
* Recipient of Coast Guard's Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service
* Nominated Boston's A.I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM"
* Judge of IBEX Innovation Products
* Judge of New England Boat Show's Best Exhibitors
* Member of Boston Harbor Islands National Park Advisory Council
* Member of South Shore Harbormaster Association
* Member of Quincy Bay Race Week Association
* Member of Stellwagen Bank Charterboat Association
* Member of Boat Writers International
* Life Member of Mass Striped Bass Association
* Life Member and Past Commodore of Metropolitan Yacht Club