Page 17 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

CHICAGO HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE

By David C Brezina

While in person meetings were cancelled,
The Chicago Harbor Safety Committee was a number of remote meetings have
challenged by public health concerns in 2020 as resulted in a first draft. Part of the project
is to create a library of references.
it represents the marine industry and boating
community whose members were impacted by Chicago Harbor Safety website
COVID-19 quarantine, social distancing, business CHSC’s Safety Recommendations and

restriction, and mask requirements. Guide to Rules and Regulations
Also available from the Coast Guard
In the Spring, as the city and state were been involved from the beginning, the Auxiliary are examples of the application
trying to determine best practices to ad hoc Task Force ultimately developed of local knowledge and inter-sector
minimize fatalities, the passenger vessel workable capacity and other guidelines cooperation.
industry was hit with numerous virus for recreational boating during the 2020
As the COVID Task Force illustrates,
cases and concerns over participation. boating season.
enhancing communication between
Recreational boating was obviously
In the abbreviated season CHSC held its shore side government administrators
impacted as well. A few select persons
Spring-Summer member meeting via and planners, could also enhance public
from the boating and marine industry
Zoom, thanks to President Gary Feracota information.
participated in a Task Force comprising
coordinating with Annette Anderson of Dave Brezina would be pleased
government officials, although CHSC as
Friends of the Parks who provided the to forward
a body was not directly involved. When
technical expertise and Tom Blakely of
it became apparent that shore-bound
Chicago's First Lady Cruises coordinating (1) Written summaries of yacht club
administrators were a bit unfamiliar with
communications. initiatives on public education in
what actually happens on boats (the cockpit
boating safety and operations.
is outdoors!), particularly misunderstanding
CHSC Secretary, Dave Brezina, participated
passenger vessels and their operations,
as a member of a Steering Committee (2) Written summaries or guides
CHSC was asked to, and did, support
to update the Guide for Multiple Use regarding coordination between shore
following the Passenger Vessel Association
Waterway Management administered by based activities (like the River Walk),
guidelines. Professional mariners have
the National Association of Safe Boating lake front and river entertainment
always put safety first. With safety their
Law Administrators. The Committee is events, and lake front and river
primary concern, professional mariners
charged with updating the 2004 Guide sporting events.
are in the best position to implement vessel
to bring it current. Chicago Yachting
specific procedures. Social distancing and (3) Planning documents for shore side
Association members were invited to
mask wearing can be practiced and enforced developments on the lake front and
participate in a survey to identify needs
onboard vessels. While communications river that impact use of waterways.
for the updated guide and the input of
might have been enhanced if CHSC had
those who responded was very valuable.
2020 yachting in chicago 17