Boat U.S. - May 2008 - (Page 12) Making the Best Out of Severe Drought Droughts are bad news for boaters, hindering access and causing navigational hazards by exposing rocks and shoals. But in the case of Lake Lanier in Georgia, low lake levels are providing access for workers to improve, extend and build more boat ramps, which will benefit boaters when the water rises again. Lake Lanier is currently 17 feet below full pool, enabling workers to construct new ramps without having to build coffer dams around the construction site. The local county is adding a four-lane ramp at Laurel Park, and numerous other ramps are being extended so that anglers can get their boats on the lake. The lack of water in Lake Lanier is also providing better access for annual Shore Sweep volunteers, who each year remove 30 tons of trash from the shoreline. Supported by a BoatU.S. Clean Water Grant this year, the organization hopes to haul additional tons of garbage that have been revealed by the lake’s low water level. Beware of Radio Licensing Pitches If you have a VHF radio licensed with the Federal Communications Commission, you may receive an alarming letter from a company called Business Radio Licensing, stating that your radio license “has been terminated or cancelled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).” The letter also says it will cost $290 in processing fees to get your license reinstated. Failure to do so, the letter warns, “can subject you to fines by the FCC.” As reported last year by BoatU.S., Business Radio Licensing is not affiliated with the FCC and is not in a position to make threats on behalf of the federal agency. Some of the information in the Business Radio Licensing letter may not be exactly true. Recreational vessels are not required to carry VHF radios, radar, LORAN, GPS or EPIRBs and, if they do, FCC licenses are not required if the vessel stays in U.S. waters. Owners of recreational vessels are required to obtain radio licenses from the FCC only when broadcasting in a foreign port, or if the boat is 65 feet or longer or if single sideband radios or Inmarsat equipment is being used. For complete information, visit the FCC’s web site, http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations. Meanwhile, signs of higher lake levels are beginning to appear in the mid-Atlantic and Northwest parts of the country. The Carolinas are reopening boat ramps that have been closed for many months. All ramps at Lake Wylie, which straddles the border between North and South Carolina, are now open and officials are optimistic the ramps and swimming areas will remain open this summer. Extreme drought had caused the ramps to close in August of last year — for the longest period on record. SAVINGS OF UP TO 25% SAIL INTO Now Boat U.S. Members can get a free weekend rental day or a free single upgrade from Avis. That’s in addition to your savings of up to 25% when you use your Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) # A637200. Just mention the coupon number of your choice when making your reservation. Free Weekend Day COUPON # TUGA023 Free Single Upgrade COUPON # UUGA042 Terms and Conditions: Offer of one weekend day free applies to the time and mileage charges only of the third consecutive day of a minimum three day weekend rental on an intermediate (group C) through a full-size four-door (group E) car. Weekend rental period begins Thursday, and car must be returned by Monday 11:59 p.m. or a higher rate will apply. A Saturday night keep is required. Single upgrade coupon valid for a one time, one car group upgrade on an intermediate (group C) through a full-size four-door (group E) car. Maximum upgrade to premium (group G). The upgraded car is subject to vehicle availability at the time of rental and may not be available on some rates at some times. A 24-hour advance reservation is required. Taxes, concession recovery fees, vehicle license recovery fee, customer facility charges ($10/contract in CA) may apply and are extra. Optional products such as LDW ($28.99/day or less, except in Louisiana $49.99/day) and refueling are extra. Free weekend day offer cannot be used for one-way rentals and may not be available during holiday and other blackout periods. One coupon per rental. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other coupon, promotion or offer except your member discount. Coupon valid at participating Avis locations in the contiguous U.S. and Canada (Free weekend day offer excludes the New York Metro area). An advance reservation is required. Offers are subject to vehicle availability at the time of reservation and may not be available on some rates at some times. For reservations made on avis.com, free day and upgrade will be applied at time of rental. Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old. Rental must begin by 12/31/08. For a reservation, visit avis.com or call 1-800-225-7094. Avis features GM vehicles. © 2008 Avis Rent A Car System, LLC 16246 12 BoatU.S. Magazine May 2008 http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations http://avis.com http://avis.com http://avis.com
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