In most of the country “Labor Day weekend” is the end of the boating season. In Florida it’s the start of the second half. (by Rusty Gardner)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges boaters to have fun by boating safely, and to be careful over the upcoming busy holiday weekend.

"There are a few key things you can do to stay as safe as possible on the water," said Capt. Tom Shipp, of the FWC's Boating and Waterways Section. "Operate your vessel with caution, have all the necessary safety equipment on board, and wear a life jacket."

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The Town of Marineland has opened its ports with a brand new marina facility creating a destination for boaters on the Intracoastal Waterway between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, FL. The Town of Marineland Marina is designed as a mariner’s retreat in this remarkable coastal place surrounded by 40,000 acres of unspoiled beaches, maritime forests, and pristine coastal habitats that celebrate coastal Florida in its natural state, a destination for boaters seeking the quiet side of Florida.

Although the new marina is already open for business, a Grand Opening celebration is scheduled for Saturday, August 20, 2011 with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 2:30pm followed by live bands, food and beverages from JT’s Seafood Shack, and a raffle sure to please all boaters. Lucky winners could win free dockage for a weekend or an entire month at the Town of Marineland Marina. Vessels up to 25’ are encouraged to take advantage of our floating docks free of charge on a 1^st come 1^st serve basis throughout the event! Reservations are required for larger vessels.Make your reservations now to spend this festive weekend with us and ask about our Grand Opening discounts for dockage. Call (904) 814-9886 or online at www.MarinelandMarina.com

Earlier this summer, Boating Magazine rated Destin the number one place to live and boat in the United States. My family and I live and boat here- and we agree! While the magazine rightly praises the sugar, white sand beaches, the plethora of water activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and fishing, and the accessibility of the waterways, we have our own reasons for loving the Emerald Coast.

Boating offers a new perspective- and reminds us that we live in paradise. Heading out through the East Pass, into the Gulf of Mexico and up Santa Rosa Sound provides an unparalleled view of the Emerald Coast’s beauty. My daughter Harper, age 3, calls the East Pass, where the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico meet the “Green Sea”, and when the tide is high, it’s hard to argue with that logic.

before United States House of Representatives:

Ethanol is not gasoline, and the problem is that ethanol contains additional oxygen. As higher quantities of ethanol are blended into base gasoline, oxygen contained in the fuel increases, which leads to engine enleanment. Since many non-road engines do not have the capability of detecting the air/fuel ratio requirements of the fuel, the engine could face catastrophic failure. As a member of the team responsible for engine calibration, and the person responsible for emissions certifications, EPA requires me to design, certify, and lock-in with tamper-proof controls, the optimal fuel/air ratio needed to meet emission requirements. When the fuel changes in the marketplace and additional oxygenates added such as by going from E10 gasoline to E15 engines run hotter, causing serious durability issues and increased emissions either in the form of increased Nitrogen Oxides (due to enleanment) or increased hydrocarbons (due to misfire). Additionally, ethanol is hygroscopic meaning that it has an affinity for water. Obviously there is significant opportunity for fuel-related issues in the marine environment due to the presence of water near openvented fuel systems and due to the inherent long-term storage and usage cycles unique to recreational boats. Ethanol only exacerbates these issues.  Read the Full Report