BoatUS: We Aren't Out of the Woods Yet on Navigation System Concerns

Public Comments to FCC Needed by March 1

     Alexandria, Va. -- While boaters view the FCC's move on February 14 to revoke approval of a new broadband telephone network shown to interfere with the country's sole navigational system as positive news, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says we aren't out of the woods just yet. It is urging boat owners to continue to submit comments to the FCC by a Thursday, March 1 deadline to ensure the nation's system of global positioning devices keeps boaters safely on course.

     Last summer, over 18,000 boaters along with many other GPS users wrote the FCCasking the guardian of the nation's airwaves to stop plans by LightSquared, the builder of the proposed broadband network, until independent tests proved there would be no interference with GPS devices which operate on adjacent frequencies. LightSquared originally asked the FCC for permission to build 40,000 network ground stations across the country. Recent government reports concluded interference issues with the GPS system could not be overcome.

     "Despite the great news last week that the FCC has acknowledged interference issues with the LightSquared proposal, we're not ready to declare a victory," said BoatUS President Margaret Podlich. "Given this company's tenacity over the last year, we want to make sure that boaters' needs are remembered as the FCC makes their final decision."

     Here is how to file comments to the FCC through their online comment form:
Click on this link for the FCC's Electronic Comments Filing System:

http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/hotdocket/list
Select "Proceeding Number 11-109."
Enter contact information.
In the box that says "Type in or paste your brief comments," here's some important points to select from:
• Explain how you use GPS in your life - on the water, on land or in the air.
• What would happen to your business/personal life if GPS became unavailable or unreliable?
• Wireless broadband service is important, but it should not come at the expense of GPS.
• All the studies show that LightSquared's proposed network would cause interference and that there are no remedies.
• Tell the FCC that you rely on them to protect the integrity of the GPS signal and that you support their recommendation to stop LightSquared's current proposal.
Click "Continue."
If the review page is correct, click "Confirm." Done!

     If you have any trouble, you may contact the FCC ECFS Helpdesk at 202-418-0193 or email at ecfshelp@fcc.gov.

     About BoatUS:

BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money-saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

Ranger Tugs Delivers 100th R29

     Kent, WA -- Ranger Tugs has announced the delivery of the 100th Ranger Tug 29 to her new owners. The 100th boat was sold by Marc Grove, owner of Wefings Marine, the Apalachicola, Florida-based Ranger Tugs dealer. Marc was also responsible for the sale of the first R29 in 2009 which was also Wefings Marine's 100th anniversary year.

     The R29 was introduced in 2009 and has remained a popular model of the trailerable trawlers since her debut. Marc sold the 100th hull at the 2011 Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show to new owners, Ruth and Wally Naset, who will take delivery in Sumerland Key, FL and plan to cruise their home waters in the Florida Keys and beyond.

     Wefings Marine has been a Ranger Tugs dealer since 2006 and Marc Grove shares, "We love having the Ranger Tugs as part of our line-up. The boats are the perfect size for gunkholing around the Intracoastal waterways but their layout and features allow owners to take them offshore or to more inland waters if they prefer. The "trailerable trawler" is an increasingly popular class of boat as people downsize and look for comfortable and economical alternatives to larger and less efficient boats." Marc visited the Monroe, Washington, production facility of Ranger Tugs to be on site as the 100th R29 came off the production line.

     "It's a rewarding experience to be a part of selling and delivering hull numbers one and 100 of the R29. Over the years the entire lineup has been through various improvements and changes that make them as comfortable, fuel-efficient and maneuverable as possible," said Grove.

     Wefings Marine has also committed to purchasing the first R31 and will have boats available at the Miami, Jacksonville and Baypoint Boat Shows this year.

     The local dealer for Ranger Tugs is Chesapeake Ranger Tugs in Annapolis: http://www.chesranger.com/