ML Interest Tag: coast-guard

Captain Your Own Boat Down the River with Chicago Electric Boats

by Maria Chambers

What a wicked summer it’s been for weather, Chicago! It’s been quite the roller coaster, but no complaints, we’ve been outside and taking advantage of our city being open. We have just a couple more months to enjoy boating season, so make a plan to get on the water. While there are several tour companies that narrate a memorable trip along our waterways and teach a bit of Chicago architectural history, sometimes you want to steer the course yourself. Read on to learn how Chicago Electric Boat hands over the captain’s hat and allows you to do just that.

About Chicago Electric Boats

Operating since 2012, Chicago Electric Boat Company is Chicago's largest self-guided river boat rental operator. They operate with safety as a core focus, as owner Ron Silvia is a member of the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee and President of Downtown Docks and is a driver in the city's exciting waterfront developments.

Boat Options Available

Their fleet includes eco-friendly private electric boats that create one-of-a-kind opportunities to explore our world-famous waterfront, history-making iconic skyscrapers and moveable bridges from a unique eye-level vantage point.

Renters will find five boat types: all-weather Duffy Boats with fully covered seating areas, Pontoon Boats with adjustable canopies, partially covered Donut Boats that offer 360-degree views of the city, a Vintage Yacht and refurbished 1950s-style Retro Boats for when you want to feel like a movie star.

Each dock has different options available, so which boat type you want to rent will determine the pick-up and drop-off location.

New This Year: Cycleboats

Enjoy a mashup of a boat ride and a bike cruise on a Chicago Cycleboat. Hop on a bike seat set around a table and cycle at your own pace with your friends. The whole boat works together to power the boat as a captain navigates the boat down Chicago River. No worries though, there is a back up electric motor in case you lose steam. 

Where to Rent

Chicago Electric Boat has four different docking stations, with different boating options available at each: Rockwell on the River (3057 N. Rockwell St., Avondale), Marina City (300 N. State St., Near North) or Chicago Riverwalk/City Winery (11 W. Riverwalk S., Loop) and Chicago Water Plaza/Sweet Home Gelato (151 W. Wacker, Loop).

Cost to Rent

The prices vary based on which boat you're interested in and which pick-up location, but prices start at $160/hour. Private cycleboats can be rented starting at $550.

Rather Relax and Drive?

If you'd rather be a back-seat driver vs captain the ship, you can choose to enlist the assistance of a licensed captain or accredited tour guide for an additional charge.

Extras for Kids

Kids receive complimentary activity books to keep them busy while cruising.

Other Helpful Bits

  • Required US Coast Guard safety gear is stocked on each vessel
  • The boating season runs April-November
  • Each boat is equipped with a radio and plug-in, so bring along a device to add a soundtrack to your day
  • You're encouraged to pack food and drinks to fully enjoy the experience
  • There is no age limited, but kids under the age of 13 must wear life vests that are provided at all times
  • To make the best use of your time on the boat, check out the recommended routes and decide which parts of the Chicago River you'd like to prioritize
  • Stops along the river are not permitted, other than the dock you retrieved your boat
  • Bathrooms, or heads, are not on board any of the boats but you are welcome to return to the dock to utilize the facilities

    • Online: chicagoelectricboats.com

    — Maria Chambers

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    Here’s How to Stay Cool While Kayaking with Your Kids

    by Annette Benedetti

    The end of June brought on a record-breaking heatwave that won’t soon be forgotten. If it has inspired you to find new ways to cool off, then you might want to consider taking up kayaking with kids. How does an afternoon paddling across a local lake with your family sound? If you’ve never seen the inside of a kayak, don’t worry we’ve put together the essentials for you. Here’s how to get started kayaking with your family in and around Portland.

    Kids kayaking
    via Portland Kayak

    The Basics

    The beautiful thing about living in Portland (one of them, at least) is that you don’t need to buy a lot of gear to try out kayaking. There are plenty of outfitters in and around town who rent out kayaks, paddles and any additional gear you might need for your day of exploration.

    Kayaks can be rented for a per hour or per-day rate. If you are just starting out, this is most affordable rout to go. Depending on on the size and type of kayak, hourly rates range from $30/hr to $80/hr. Daily rates range from $60 and up.

    If you choose to buy, youth ride-on-top kayaks and inflatable kayaks can be found for $100 and up, and adult and 2-seat kayaks cost $600 or more. For a few quick paddles on your favorite lake, an inflatable kayak might work for a much lower price point. Ask the experts at your outdoor store for tips on what works for you and your family. If you spend time on the water, doesn’t hurt to buy your own flotation devices. Make sure they’re Coast Guard certified and appropriate for your planned activity.

    You can rend or buy new and used kayaks at the following locations.

    Next Adventure
    426 SE. Grand Ave. Portland
    Online: nextadventure.net

    Portland Kayak Company
    6600 SW Macadam Ave. Portland
    Online: portlandkayak.com

    Your Little Duffers

    Junior can come along on kayaking trip as a paddler or a “duffer.” Duffers are just along for the ride in the center compartment and don’t help propel the boat. This is a role most children play until age eight. Experienced paddlers can start using their own single kayaks around age ten or so.

    Christian Bowen via Unsplashed

    Where You Can Play & Learn

    You’ll want to get started on your kayaking adventure in calm, protected waters first — that means lakes and protected bays without much current or wind. Lakes without motorized boat traffic make for easier paddles, as you won’t need to avoid wakes.

    Scappoose Bay is a gentle start for beginners, with the friendly outfitters Next Adventure’s Scappoose Bay Paddling Center providing rentals and lessons or tours. You might even spy some river otters playing.

    Trillium Lake has no motorized boat traffic as well as camping and beautiful views near Government Camp on Mt. Hood.

    Alder Creek’s classes allow kids 10 and up to attend their Learn to Kayak tours with parents. Check to see which class would be best for your family. (Note: rentals are currently offered, however tours and classes are on hold due to COVID restrictions.

    Portland Kayak’s classes are suspended for 2021 due to COVID, however your family can schedule small group private instruction. What a great way to bond! . (Currently open by appointment only.)

    The Lower Columbia Slough in North Portland can be a lovely place to set in, but you’ll want to check the tide schedule to keep your trip focused on bald eagles and herons, not hard paddling against the current.

    What You Need to Know

    Of course, safety is the first priority when it comes to water sports. That means you too, parents! Modeling safety goes a long way. Those personal flotation devices should fit and be properly secured. Wear closed-toe sandals or water shoes, plus plenty of sun block (Bring extra on the kayak with you. You’ll probably be out long enough to need to re-apply.) Don’t take your kids paddling unless you have a lot of experience with advanced moves under your belt—like rolling your kayak, for starters—or you have a very experienced person in your party. Plan snack times and bathroom breaks ahead of time and be sure to bring lots of water for everyone. Then have fun!

    —Annette Benedetti

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    What Is the Right Age for Swimming Lessons?

    By Gay Cioffi

    Summer is here, and parents of young children are asking the question, “What is the right age for swimming lessons?”

    According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children under the age of four are not developmentally ready to learn to swim; the age to master the crawl is actually between 5 and 6. That leads to the next question, “What about water safety and aquatic classes?”

    While in the past, the Academy was stringent in not recommending swim and aquatic safety programs before four, they have become more relaxed in their guidelines for children between the ages of one and four. It is important to note, though, that these programs are not proven to decrease the risk of drowning and are not a substitute for adult supervision in the water at all times. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children in almost all age groups, so vigilance is critical.

    Here are some basic things to remember to ensure safety for your children in or near water:

    Always follow touch supervision, which means you are within touching reach of your child at all times in or near water.

    Unless you are strictly enforcing touch supervision, do not rely on floaties or tubes to prevent drowning, but use Coast Guard approved safety devices. Children left alone with floaties or non-approved floatation devices can actually get trapped upside down in the water.

    If you do enroll your child in aquatic classes, remember that while they may acclimate your child and make them more relaxed in the water, they can also reduce your child’s fear of water which can increase the likelihood that they go in or near water unsupervised. These programs can also make parents over-confident, which may reduce their own vigilance around pools and bodies of water. That said, check out your communities offerings, verify the credentials of their staff, and discover for yourself the benefits of what activities they have to offer.

    If you are a pool owner, be sure that the pool is surrounded on four sides (the house should not be one of the sides) by a locked, at least four-foot high fence. For above ground pools, be sure to remove the ladder when the pool is not in use. And use a pool cover, as they add a second layer of protection. Be aware of all access that children have to nearby lakes, ponds, and streams and supervise accordingly.

    Having grown up learning to swim in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, then spending my summer days at the local city swimming pool, I am a water lover. As such, I was quick to share my passion for swimming and water play with my children and grandchildren as I am sure you are too. Have fun. It’s possible for parents and children to enjoy the water, and have a healthy dose of caution at the same time.

    I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.

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    The Coast Guard Will Now Pay to Ship Breast Milk for Moms

    by Shahrzad Warkentin

    You might cry over spilled milk, but you’ll definitely shed tears over the cost of shipping breast milk for active duty moms. The Coast Guard has come to the rescue, however, with a new policy that covers shipping costs for breast milk.

    Moms on duty who want to send breast milk home to their babies now qualify for a new financial program titled Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, Breast Milk Shipment, which will cover the shipping costs for up to $750 per year. The new policy was in response to feedback received in the Women’s Retention Study and Holistic Analysis conducted by the United States Coast Guard.

    photo: Skeeze via Pixabay

    The reimbursement program applies to all active duty members including PHS Officers and USN Chaplains attached to the Coast Guard, as well as reservists and their spouses and Coast Guard civilian employees.

    Eligible members can apply for reimbursement for their shipping costs at the end of any period of time away from home which is longer than 72 hours. They must submit receipts within 60 days of return. Members who paid to ship breast milk prior to the establishment of the program are also eligible for reimbursement for any expenses incurred from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2019.

    —Shahrzad Warkentin

     

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    13 Important Water Safety Tips from the Great Wolf Lodge

    by Amber Guetebier

    With major summer fun right around the corner and lots of water time, whether you are heading to your favorite water park, the community pool or a nearby lake, it’s always a good idea to put safety first. Your best defense against injury and drowing? It’s not just about swimming lessons and CPR. We talked with the Director of Aquatics at the Great Wolf Lodge-Wisconsin Dells, Melissa Wornick, who shared with us her top tips for water safety for kids. Read on to learn (and memorize) them all.

    1) Never swim alone.  Always use the buddy system and be sure the area is well supervised by lifeguards before you or other family members enter the water.

    2)Encourage your child to wear a life jacket. Many public pools and water parks provide life jackets for your use free of charge and it’s better to be on the safe side if your child is not a confident swimmer.

    3)Never assume someone else is watching your child. Even with lifeguards nearby, you have the responsibility for your child. The best way to keep your child safe is to play right alongside them.

    4) Stay hydrated.  Swimming and playing takes a lot of energy, especially during the hot summer months. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks and rest in a cool location.

    5) Forget the bling.  Before heading to the beach, pool or water park, avoid swimsuits that have ties, grommets or decorations that could get caught on something during water activities.

    6) Skip the flip-flops. Look for sandals with a heel strap or a full-coverage slip-on water shoe that will stay in place both in and out of the water.

    7) Too much sun is no fun.  Be sure to limit your exposure during peak hours of 12pm-3pm and reapply waterproof/sweat proof sunscreen every 80 minutes.

    8) Take a CPR course. Knowing these skills can be important in any environment. This is a skill we all can benefit from—on land and around water.

    9) Read all of the signs before going on a waterslide, pool or attraction. Make sure your child meets the posted requirements.  If you have questions about an attraction, ask an employee at the facility.

    10) Plan ahead. As a family, decide on a meeting place to go to if anyone gets separated.  Kids can take off in instant and crowded parks and beaches can make it difficult for little ones to find you.  Choose an easy-to-spot location that can be easily found by all family members.

    11) If you see someone struggling in the water, call for help. Remember “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go!” Even professionally trained lifeguards don’t enter the water without having the proper flotation devices to keep themselves safe.

    And Director of Aquatics at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois, Josh Martinez, wants to remind parents:

    12) Put the phones down. When enjoying swimming activities do not let your electronic devices distract you from your child. You may want to get caught up on your favorite show, book or emails but the pool is not the place to do so. Keep your little swimmers within arm’s reach!

    13) Use Proper Floaties. Making sure you have the proper floatation devices is important. Water wings or inflatable floaties should be treated as toys not life-saving devices. An easy way to determine if it is a floatation device is to look for the U.S. Coast Guard stamp of approval, which is generally located on the inside of the jacket/device.

    Great Wolf Lodge is one of our favorite choices for family resort fun. With locations all across the USA including Wisconsin Dells; WI, Bloomington, MN; Kansas City, KS; Great Mounds, WA & more, you’re likely just an hour or two from one yourself. With spacious, family-friendly suites, a centerpiece water park with attractions for all ages and stages; the infamous MagiQuest game and a wealth of other activities, check out greatwolf.com to learn more. of both wet and dry attractions for every age.  ,

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    —Amber Guetebier with Melissa Wornick of Great Wolf Lodge

    photo courtesy Great Wolf Lodge

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    Today Is National Coast Guard Day

    by Tinybeans Team

     

    Daily
    Today Is National Coast Guard Day
    Everybody wave!
    1

    Rescue your next meal from the doldrums with a life preserver-inspired dish or two.
    2

    Learn to speak like a sailor without swearing.
    3
    Host a friendly little competition with paper boat races.

    { Today’s ideas brought to you by Two Ships Passing in the Night }

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