Washington DC News
Mandatory Boat Licences Arrive
Posted by Lou on June 16, 2011 in Boating News, Chesapeake Bay, Occoquan River, Potomac River, Washington DC News
Quick public safety announcement: as of July 1, 2011 PWC operators 50 years of age or younger and motorboat operators 20 years of age or younger are required to complete a boating safety education course. You can find the complete rules and phase-in schedule here.
No worries though, getting your boat license is pretty easy. You just need to buy a DVD from the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. The DVD is only 60 minutes long, broken out into 10 minute chapters (looks like the video was filmed by BoatU.S. in 1987). Then you have to take a 50 question multiple choice test (open book) and mail your scantron back with $5.
It takes about 2 weeks to get our licenses in the mail. You can send a copy to your insurance company (and hopefully chop 10% off your boat insurance).
July 4th Money Shot
Here is a fantastic picture taken by Patrick Worcester on July 4th, 2009 from his boat on the Potomac river, between the 14th Street bridge complex and the Memorial bridge.
Commuter Ferry Coming to Occoquan?
Some would call the Potomac River northern Virginia’s most underused highway. But commuters may be putting that highway to work in the future. According to WJLA, for the third time in eight years, Prince William County will once again be testing the viability of a ferry service from the county to the district.
There’s no single funding source that ferry proponents have identified to pay for the service, if it gets approved. County officials say that about $600 million from the federal economic stimulus package could help cover construction costs for docks at ferry stations.
Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Prediction!
Posted by Lou on March 25, 2009 in Announcements, Washington DC News
The Peak Bloom Period prediction for the beautiful Cherry Blossom trees that encircle the Tidal Basin in Washington DC has been revised to April 1 – 4, 2009! The peak bloom date is defined as the day in which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) trees are open. The entire blooming period prediction spans from March 28 to April 11.
The blooming of the cherry trees has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms. Thousands of city residents and visitors from across the nation and around the world come here to witness the spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom for the Cherry Blossom Festival.
One of the most popular activites is to rent a paddle boat and peddle around the Tidal Basic. Reservations are recommended. Now you can make them online. Of course, if you have a boat and live in Occoquan, your best option is to dewinterize and head north! It only takes about 30 minutes to reach the spot in between the Key Bridge and the 14th Street Bridge, where you’ll discover the best vantage point.
Looking to head up to DC as part of an armada? Check out the Potomac River Party Boaters Association to see if you can find any takers!