~~~~~~ RiverBill's Archives~~~~~~
July 2009

A WEBSITE FOR THE  BOATING COMMUNITY 

OF THE 

MISSISSIPPI, ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI RIVERS

Just added a

31' Wellcraft Sedan Cruiser (Flybridge)

To the Featured Classifieds

It's a Rail Weekend at Oasis Bar & Grill

Rail is Playing Fri & Sat Nite

Friday

31 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Picture of the Day

Saturday Night Shrimp Boil

click on pic to enlarge

The River Picture of the Day ..... is from Patty Williams of Pool 25 Fame....

Hey Bill

Wanted to send you a couple pictures of some of the great food we get to enjoy on the river.

Saturday night we had a shrimp boil. You can see that Todd did an excellent job of preparing our feast! It didn't take my husband or Dan long to fill their plates and enjoy.

As usual a good time was had by all.

Patty Williams

RiverBill says... Thanks for the pictures Patty.  The food looks good !  Hope we all get to meet you soon......

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Click on pic to enlarge

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2007........ were from Joel.  He seen some strange looking boats on a trip to Minnesota and sent us some pictures..

Navigation Notices ......

To:     ALL MARINERS
From:   Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/30/09
Subject: DREDGING LOCK AND DAM 24
NAVNOTICE # 1831

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0328-09 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0328-09 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER DREDGING OPERATIONS HAVE COMMENCED IN THE VIC OF L/D 24 MM 273.4 UMR, DREDGING WILL CONSIST OF THE L/D AUXILIARY AND MAIN CHAMBERS, AND THE UPPER LOWER APPROACH AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. DREDGING OPERATIONS WILL BE PERFORMED 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. ALL VESSEL'S ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT L/D 24 OR THE DREDGE POTTER ON VHF-FM CHANNEL'S 13, 14, OR CHANNEL 16, 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO TRANSITING THE AREA FOR PASSING INSTRUCTIONS. ALL MARINERS ARE URGED TO TRANSIT AT THEIR SLOWEST SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKE AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION AFTER PASSING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.
 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Missouri State Water Patrol News Releases.....

News Release N07090115

 Near Drowning - Lake Ozarks

Location:

     79MM, Cole Turkey Access, Warsaw, Mo 
Summary : 

********NEAR DROWNING********** THE VICTIM AND HIS FRIEND WERE GOING SWIMMING.THE VICTIM JUMPED INTO THE WATER OFF THE DOCK AND DID NOT SURFACE.THE FRIEND YELLED FOR HELP, JUMPED IN AND PULLED HIM OUT AND STARTED CPR.

  Injuries:

     William Fairless, ...10/9/1962....Kansas City, Mo

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

Update on Sharky's Barge

     Boaters Please Use Caution In Vicinity of Woodland Harbor.....
 

Update on the Sharkey's barge.

All boaters please use caution when operating in the vicinity of Woodland Harbor on the Mississippi River in the Dardenne Slough. Crews will be dismantling Sharkey's barge. Boaters are urged to proceed through the area with caution as crews will be operating heavy machinery. Large wakes can be very hazardous for the crews. Crews will be working from 7/31 to 8/2.

Corporal Lou Amighetti
Public Information Officer
Missouri State Water Patrol
2401 E. McCarty Street
P.O. Box 1368
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1368
(573) 751-3333 Phone
Lou.Amighetti@mswp.dps.mo.gov
 

Illinois Fishing Reports .......

Illinois Fishing Report.. Click here to read the Illinois Fishing Report on Prairie States Outdoors website.  Covers the State of Illinois from Lake Michigan to Rend Lake.

Missouri Fishing Report  ------ The Missouri Department of Conservation has issued this week's Fishing Report.  

79 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and stinkbaits; carp and buffalo good on nightcrawlers and doughbaits; shovelnose sturgeon fair on nightcrawlers; white bass fair on small spinners; all other species slow.

(Report made on 7/30/2009)
 

Missouri River (below New Haven)

(Report made on 7/30/2009)

 

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~

The above reprinted from the weekly [Mo-fish] Weekly Fishing Report e-mail.

go to  http://www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/fishrt/

The River Explorer Update

From Dan Owen

Click on pic to enlarge

River Explorer Update By Dan Owen....  

Bill,

The RIVER EXPLORER fell upon hard times and the owner turned the boat and barges over to the Maritime Administration who had guaranteed the loan on them.
All three are reportedly tied up in a government reserve fleet at Beaumont, Texas. With the AMERICAN QUEEN, DELTA QUEEN and MISSISSIPPI QUEEN also tied up (the AQ and MQ are also reported to be tied up at Beaumont), there are currently no overnight passenger boats on the Mississippi River. Well, I guess you could call the NIAGARA PRINCE a passenger boat but it makes rare trips on the inland rivers.


Dan Owen

Dan Owen's Boat Photo Museum
 

2009 STATEAMIND POKER RUN

August 8th

www.stateamind.com

Saturday,   8  August  2009  

Stateamind Watersports
122 Ford Lane, St. Louis, Missouri 63042
314-731-3795

Lost and Found

     Boat Cushion Returned to Owner

Ref:  The button snap on seat cushion found floating in the river by the Missouri Water Patrol on June 28th
 

Bill,
Please remove the posting for the boat cushion. It was returned to a very happy owner.

Corporal Lou Amighetti
Public Information Officer
Missouri State Water Patrol
 

Reader Commentary

     Wednesday's Picture Of The Day & Life Jackets on Kids

I had once sent in a picture of my grandson taking charge of my houseboat and my husband was standing behind him with a beer in his hand. My husband informed me that you told him you got a lot of emails complaining about you posting the picture (because of the beer). I TOTALLY understand. But, it seems to me it is not at all safe to take a 6 day old baby for a boat ride. Can you say LIFEJACKET? I see too many kids in boats without them as it is. Not only is it a law, but what happened to COMMON SENSE and the safety of our children. We all know how river folk can get, but let's think about the kids. After all fun isn't fun if someone gets hurt.
 

Sue McMahan
the houseboat
"Sarah Marie"
 

Click here for Wednesday's Pic of the Day

 

 Kaskaskia River
      Bowfishing Champs Win Again.............

According to a news report from bnd.com................. The trio of anglers from New Athens, Illinois that won the Kaskaskia River Bowfishing Championship in June are at it again. Jason Foster, Brendan Littekin, and Bill Dawson took the title, and the prize money, at the Southern Illinois Outdoors Bowfishing Tournament.

The stringer that won weighed in around 40 lbs. Foster also took the Big Fish award, with a bighead carp that weighed in at 18.5 lbs.

15 boats, with 35 shooters brought in over 330 lbs of trash fish. That equates to around 100 fish.

The bowfishing rules state that only non-sport fish may be taken with a bow..
 

Click here to read this news report.
 

   Melvin Price Lock and Dam

Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

Illinois Water Fowl Season.......
 

According to a news story on PrairieSatesOutdoors website......... The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regulations Committee has approved the Illinois Department of Natural Resources proposal for this year's waterfowl season.

• 60-day duck seasons in each of the state’s three waterfowl hunting zones.

• Canada goose hunting season of 85 days in the North and Central zones

• Canada goose hunting season of 66 days in the South Zone.

• Regular duck and Canada goose seasons will open on Oct. 17 in the North Zone and Oct. 31 in the Central Zone.

• Duck and Canada goose seasons will open on Nov. 14 in the South Zone.

Click here to read this news article.

 Chicago River

     Annual Rubber Duck Race..........

In a news story from ksdk.com............... Thursday was the 4th annual Windy City Rubber Duck Derby in Chicago, Illinois. Literally tens of thousands of rubber ducks were let loose on the Chicago River.

Each of the ducks is purchased for $5. The proceeds are to help support year round training, and competition for the Special Olympics.

The lucky sponsor of the rubber duckie that crossed the finish line first earned a seven night trip to the Dominican Republic.............

Click here to read this news story. With Photo and Video.

 

Mississippi River Lock
    New Orleans, Louisiana
    Corps Resumes Industrial Canal Lock Replacement Project............

According to a news report from nola.com.............. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that construction on the Industrial Canal lock replacement project has resumed. The $1.3 billion project will grant wider and deeper access for vessels to the canal.

The project had been delayed for two years by a challenge to the Corp's impact study results, as well as disposal plans for contaminated material dredged during the construction of the canal.

The lock project was allowed to proceed after supplemental statements addressed the concerns over the disposal of the contaminated dredged material..............

Click here to read this news report. With Photo.
 

Maritime Disasters.....

The Mad Mariner Daily Boating magazine has an interesting article on Maritime Diasters.....

Click here and check out the deadliest and the most famous civilian disasters..  The Steamboat Sultan, the Titanic, Dona Paz ferry......

Mercury Marine
    Second Quarter Results........

According to a news article from bizjournals.com............. Mercury Marine has announced that their second quarter sales have fallen 43% over the second quarter in 2008. Sales figures fell from $723.6 million, to $415.2 million.

Brunswick Corp., the parent company of Mercury Marine, states that the sterndrive engine segment was hurt more by the boat industry turn down than the outboard segment.

Brunswick also stated that their boat manufacturing operations took a 77% hit in the second quarter of 2009. The figures fell from $591.7 million, to 138.8 million.............

Click here to read this news article.
 

RiverBill's Message Board Has Been Shut Down.......

We had to shut down RiverBill's Message Board for a while.  We had an external attack on an unseen portion of the message board.  The hackers were using RiverBill's to send out large amounts of e-mails that have been reported to the company we rent server space from as "spam with possible malicious content." 

To prevent a lock being placed on our web space RiverBill's Message Board was voluntarily shut down  .......

U.S. Coast Guard photograph

Israeli Kayakers ......

KODIAK, Alaska - Crewmen from the fishing vessel Vigilant throw a lifering to two kayakers who were assisted to the vessel by a Coast Guard rescue swimmer from Air Station Kodiak July 30, 2009. A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak Mh-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew located the two men after a search near Gore Point about 40 miles southeast of Homer. The men were on a trip from Seward to Homer and had been kayaking for eight days. Weather worsened and they became tired and lost some gear prompting them to use their emergency locator beacon and contact the Coast Guard. The men remained aboard the fishing vessel Vigilant and will be taken to Homer in the next 48 hours.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis )
 

Thirsty Thursday

30 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Picture of the Day

click on pic to enlarge

The River Picture of the Day ..... is from Capt'n Mike Vitale, who hails out of the Duck Club in the cruiser..... IN-XS.

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

River Explorer

Click on pic to enlarge

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2005....  was of the  River Explorer moored at Grafton, IL ...... sent in by Capt'n Darryll Weil.

  Darryll wrote in his e-mail

 " It consists of two giant barges that are basically plush hotels and is pushed by a regular tow boat. For more info on this vessel go to www.riverbagre.com."

Thanks Darryll.

Missouri State Water Patrol News Releases.....

News Release N07090113

 Waterskiing Accident - Lake Ozarks

Location:

     7MM, Glaize Arm Lake of the Ozark 
Summary : 

MR FINN WAS PULLING MR DIAMOND ON A TUBE WHEN HE HIT A LARGE WAKE. MR DIAMOND WAS FLIPPED OFF OF THE TUBE AND HIT THE WATER. HE THEN BEGAN COMPLAINING OF PAIN TO HIS RIBS. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO LAKE REGIONAL HOSPITAL

  Injuries:

     James Diamond, ...3/27/1968....Glens Falls, New York

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

Mississippi River

     Melvin Price Lock and Dam, Alton, Illinois
     Canadian Company Looking To Construct A Hydroelectric Facility
 

According to a news article from bnd.com............... Tuesday the Illinois House of Representatives passed H.R. 2983 that would grant a Canadian company an additional six years to construct a hydroelectric plant at the Melvin Price Lock and Dam at Alton.

The Canadian firm, Brookfield Renewable Power, originally received a construction license from the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) in October 2007.

The project is expected to create 125 construction jobs, over a three year period. The hydro-electric plant is would generate more than 400,000 megawatt hours of electricity by using one of our most renewable resources......the Mississippi River.  That would provide electricity for about 40,000 homes.


The six year extension must pass through the Senate to gain official approval...............
 

Click here to read this news article.
 

Little Johns Motorsports Update.......

RiverBill's got a phone call from Ashly Ruf last night. 

The new boat motor could be heard running in the background ......That's good news, because they had a cracked block, 3 bad rods and 3 bad pistons !

Ashly said to tell everyone  the new motor is running !  They are number one in the nation in Top Eliminator class .....and off to Kentucky Lake this coming weekend.

Ashly said a big thanks goes out to Todd and Ron... the engine builders !

RiverBill says... Good luck in Kentucky.. .Be safe and bring home a win !

2009 STATEAMIND POKER RUN

August 8th

www.stateamind.com

Saturday,   8  August  2009  

Stateamind Watersports
122 Ford Lane, St. Louis, Missouri 63042
314-731-3795

Boating Music

    The Banana Wind Band ... Boat Drinks

The Trop Rock Band .... Banana Wind play at restaurants and bars all around the river. The guys sent us a couple of links to the band's songs from their website !  ... Here is another.......

Two Tickets To Paradise !

Click here and check it out

RiverBill says...Check out their website...www.bananawindband.com

Missouri River

     Wetlands from Kansas City to St. Louis
     Big Muddy Wildlife Refuge Acquires More Land Along Missouri River..

According to a news report from columbiamissourian.com............. The Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge was finally able to purchase wetlands along the Missouri River, after a 10 year wait. The big Muddy is under the purview of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

And, even though the land was bought in 2007, Tuesday evening, a ceremony was held to commemorate the Overton Bottoms Unit acquisition.

The partnership was formed by the Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Ducks Unlimited................

"The Big Muddy Refuge is allowing the Missouri River to be a river again."

Click here to read this news report.

 

Established in 1994, the Big Muddy Wildlife Refuge has grown to over 11,000 acres, and has hopes of expanding to over 60,000 acres, and their goal is to allow the Missouri River to be a river again................

Click here to read more about the Big Muddy Wildlife Refuge.................
 

Embarras River

     Greenup, IL

     Young Fisherman Discovers Ice-Age Vertebra from Mammoth
    
A 12-year old fisherman, Josh Brandenburg, found a vertebra from the neck of prehistoric mammoth while fishing in the Embarras River.   He almost tossed it back in, but decided to keep it.

They later found out that it was a vertebra from the neck of one of the largest mammoths that ever roamed the state Illinois, probably a wooly mammoth. Officials date the bone between 13,000 to 24,000 years old.

Marks on the bone suggest the creature was food for another animal or even prehistoric man.

Click here to read this news story... With photo

   Melvin Price Lock and Dam

Mississippi River Real Estate For Sale.............
    Keokuk, Iowa
    AmrenUE Selling Off Surplus Land.................

According to a news report from thehawkeye.com.................. Between 1910 and 1912, the Mississippi River Power Company purchased large tracts of farmland, orchards, islands, and other lands that would be inundated following the construction of the Keokuk hydroelectric dam.

Now owned by AmrenUE, close to 5,000 acres of surplus land is being sold off. These parcels of land are on both banks of the Mississippi River, from Keokuk to Burlington.

Over the past two and a half years, AmrenUE has sold off over 4,000 acres that has included farm ground, wooded acreage, and even islands........

Click here to read this news report.

 

     Illinois Team Wins Cabela's National Team Champions at Devils Lake, ND

    Wisconsin Governor Will Be Involved With Union Negotiations......

In a news article from tradeonlytoday.com.............. Wisconsin Governor, Jim Doyle has stated that he intends to be involved in negotiations between Mercury Marine and their union. Mercury is debating the re-location of it's Fon du Lac, Wisconsin operations to Stillwater, Oklahoma.

The move could cost as many as 2000 jobs.

Governor Doyle asserts that Wisconsin has offered an aggressive package that would allow Mercury to maintain market leadership, while being more efficient.

Union workers wish to review the company documents they had requested.

The next meeting between Mercury, and the union is slated for Monday...............

Click here to read this news article.

U.S. Coast Guard photograph

Parade of Ships..... Seattle

Top.....The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, the service's newest cutter, participates in 2009 Seattle Seafair Parade of Ships, Wednesday, July 29, 2009.
The Bertholf, U.S. Navy and Canadian Navy will remain in Seattle for the public to view through Monday, August 3, 2009.

Bottom......A Coast Guard response boat participates in 2009 Seattle Seafair Parade of Ships, Wednesday, July 29, 2009.
The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, U.S. Navy and Canadian Navy will remain in Seattle for the public to view through Monday, August 3, 2009.

(U.S. Coast Guard photos/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)

 

Wednesday

29 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Picture of the Day

The River Pictures of the Day ..... are from Larry at Duroboat.

Bill, 

Recently 2 young girls passed by your area of the river. They are on the Great Loop.
6000 miles in a small aluminum 16 ft boat.

Attached picture is Elizabeth McPhail in the Alton Marina. It was taken about June 11. Second pic is same girl at the arch a day later.

The girls and boat are now In Annapolis MD. The story of their journey and some cool video and more pics is at www.boatinglife.com.

Their blog at the boating life website recounts their daily activity as they came down the Illinois and then the Mississippi.  More info is at www.duroboat.com

Many pics of the river portion of the trip are at the duroboat website.

Larry
 

Welcome Aboard

Nick !

Click to enlarge

A Boater Is Born !

6lbs 3oz
18 inches

His first boat ride was on Sunday and he was just 6 days old !

Signed,
Proud parents Ricky and Lynn, and proud brother Ryan
Lake Center Marina

RiverBill says... Congratulations to Ricky and Lynn Brettelle

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Grafton Harbor Luau

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2008.... were sent in by Valerie Aulabaugh, who hails out of Grafton Harbor in the boat...'Last Call."

Bill,
If you didn't come to the Grafton Harbor Luau, you missed a really good time. The food was awesome. The band was fantastic and everyone had a great time with the body painting and a scavenger hunt. The pool has been a great addition to the marina this year and provides a location for a great party. Once again, thanks to Jan and Joe and the Grafton Harbor staff for a good time.
By the way---I tried to find a bird or two to take a picture of. I know your readers are missing those great pictures. No luck this week-end but I'm sure I'll find some birds to photograph soon. :)

Valerie Aulabaugh
Last Call

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/28/09
Subject: MOR Shoaling Safety Advisory MM 51.9-52.0
NAVNOTICE # 1828

USCG SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
ADVISORY:
A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE USACE HAS DETERMINED THAT SHOALING IS OCCURING IVO MM 52 MOR. THE SHOALING IS APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET LONG
AND EXTENDING 300 FEET INTO THE CHANNEL ALONG THE RIGHT DECENDING BANK WITH THE CENTER POINT BEING TAVERN ROCK DAYBEACON LOCATED AT MM 51.9 MOR. ALL MARINERS ARE TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE TRANSITING THIS AREA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE USACE AT
816-250-8131.


 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Boat Gas News
     Additive May Be Cure-All For The Ethanol Blues..............

According to a news story from motorboating.com.............. Sea Ray has announced that a fuel additive, ValvTect Ethanol Gas Treatment, may assist in preventing most ethanol-related issues, such as stalling, engine corrosion, and fuel tank problems. The product (nor any other additive) will not prevent the degradation of fiberglass fuel tanks.

ValvTevct works by preventing moisture and ethanol from settling to the bottom of the fuel tank, where it accumulates, contaminating the fuel, and then causing engine stalls.

Other suggestions to avoid fuel system issues is to keep the tanks topped up, and avoid anything that could cause moisture to enter the fuel system...............

Click here to read this news story.
 

Click here to visit the ValvTect website.

 

Check Out The Boating Music

    The Banana Wind Band ... Boat Drinks

The Trop Rock Band .... Banana Wind play at restaurants and bars all around the river. The guys sent us a link to one of the band's songs from their website ! 

Boat Drinks !

Click here and check it out

RiverBill says...Check out their website...www.bananawindband.com

National Marina Day
     The Senate Has Voted To Recognize National Marina Day................

According to a news report from tradeonlytoday.com............... August 8, 2009 has been designated as National Marina Day, thanks to a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate.

National Marina Day is eight years old this year. Marinas are celebrating the day by inviting residents from surrounding communities to drop in and learn about the valuable link marinas provide to the waterways.

The Senate resolution encourages America's marinas to remain environmentally friendly gateways to boating.................

Click here to read this news report.
 

Click here to visit the National Marina Day website.
 

National Marina Day
     Take Me Fishing Organization Supports National Marina Day................

Take me Fishing will be supporting National Marina Day on August 8th. 

Marinas across the country can register their events for free publicity on TakeMeFishing.org.... Click here for more information.
 

River History....

Sharky's Cove closed it's doors. Owner, John Biando closed the floating restaurant located St. Charles at Woodland Marina, mile marker 222 on Dardenne Slough.

The 1993 flood water crested at Clarksville, Mo at 37.7 feet setting new record.
Old record was 36.4 feet set in 1973

Mississippi Riverfront.... St. Louis
    Pinnacle Entertainment Seeks To Replace The Admiral...............

According to a news report from stltoday.com.............. Pinnacle Entertainment has announced that the would like to keep the President Casino on the St. Louis Riverfront, but they are looking to replace the aging Admiral.

The President Casino is located on the Admiral, which has a 100 year old hull. It's safety certification will expire in July, 2010.

Pinnacle had purchased 2 vessels from Harrah's, and was storing them in Texas. Apparently, the vessels had sustained hurricane damage. Pinnacle is debating buying, or building a single level barge to replace the Admiral...............

Click here to read this news report.
 

The Admiral was originally called the Albatross. Built in 1907 by Dubuque Boat and Boiler, the first owner, Louisiana & Mississippi Transfer Co. had used her to carry 16 railroad cars at Vicksburg, Mississippi. In 1937, she was purchased by the Streckfus Steamers Inc. and in 1940, she underwent her conversion from a wooden-decked vessel, to the art-deco beauty known as the SS Admiral.............

Source: usgennet.com. Click here to read more. With Photos.

Farmers Market Cookout.........

RiverBill's Message Board Has Been Shut Down.......

We had to shut down RiverBill's Message Board for a while.  We had an external attack on an unseen portion of the message board.  The hackers were using RiverBill's to send out large amounts of e-mails that have been reported to the company we rent server space from as "spam with possible malicious content." 

To prevent a lock being placed on our web space RiverBill's Message Board was voluntarily shut down  .......

U.S. Coast Guard photograph

Bertholf arrives in Seattle

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, the service's newest cutter arrives at Pier 30, in Seattle, Tuesday, July 28, 2009, for the 2009 Seattle Seafair. The Bertholf will take part in the Parade of Ships along with the U.S. Navy and Canadian Navy and will remain in Seattle for the public to view through Monday, August 3, 2009.(Coast Guard photo by/ Petty Officer 3rd Class Colin White)



 

Tuesday

28 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Picture of the Day

Friends  !

 Click on pic to enlarge

The River Picture of the Day ..... is from Guy and Mary Unverferth.

Bill,

I've been wanting to send this picture in for a very long time.

This is a picture of our daughter Amanda and two friends enjoying the sunset from the back of our Sea Ray on a quiet weekday evening last July off Iowa island. We spend a lot of time on the river, and have lots of pictures, but this one makes us smile every time we look at it, so we wanted to share.

Guy & Mary Unverferth
 

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Golden River Sunset

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2007.... was from Jim Vineyard who hails out of the Duck Club.. 

Hey Bill,

Here are a shot I took after a trip to the Shrine and back up river. A storm had just blown through and the sun peeped out just before sunset. 

Jim Vineyard
Duck Club Marina

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/27/09
Subject: Water Levels on the ILR
NAVNOTICE # 1826

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0324-09 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCELLED WESTERN RIVERS BNM NRS 0310-09 AND 0318-09 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0324-09 UM
ILLINOIS RIVER
DUE TO WATER LEVELS ON THE ILLINOIS WATERWAY DROPPING BACK TO FLAT POOL ELEVATIONS AFTER A LONG TERM WATER EVENT, IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT BARGES NOT DRAFT OVER 9FT ANYWHERE ON THE RIVER. THIS MAY BE ESPECIALLY CRITICAL IN THE LAGRANGE POOL AND SPECIFICALLY HE BEARDSTOWN AREA. ILLINOIS RIVER MM 40, 42, AND 77, ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE 10 FT DEPTHS ON OR ABOUT 01 AUGUST 2009 AND 9 FT DEPTHS ON OR ABOUT THE 19 AUGUST 2009. ALL MARINERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO WATCH THEIR DRAFTS AND USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TRANSITING THESE AREAS.


 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

NEWS RELEASE
PUBLIC INFORMATION SECTION, P.O. Box 1368, Jefferson City, MO  65102

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jefferson City

Missouri State Water Patrol Recovers Many Items Stolen in Fishing Tournament Theft Cases

The Missouri State Water Patrol, while investigating numerous thefts tied to fishing tournaments on Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake and Truman Reservoir, has recovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen fishing equipment. Based on investigations of recent thefts, the Water Patrol served a search warrant on July 11, 2009 in Cass County at the residence of Keith A. Clark. The Water Patrol was assisted by the Cass County Sheriff's Department. Clark was taken into custody and a warrant was issued in Cass County on a felony charge for receiving stolen property.

The recovered stolen property has been linked to numerous thefts. Among those are thefts from:

• Lake of the Ozarks, April 26 at the 8 mile mark and May 30 at the 2 mile mark of the Grand Glaize Arm

• Table Rock Lake, April 4 and 5 near point 7 and June 25 and 26 near point 10

• Truman Reservoir, July 9 and 10

The Water Patrol expects the property recovered to be associated with additional theft cases in Missouri and surrounding states as the investigation continues. The Water Patrol is in the process of identifying and contacting the owners of the recovered property.

Gov. Jay Nixon said, "I applaud the efforts of the Missouri State Water Patrol in this investigation. As an angler myself, I'm sure the sportsmen who'll now have their gear returned are glad to know that the Water Patrol pursued this case."

A major break in this case came as the result of a theft victim who was able to positively identify items belonging to him that were being sold in secondary markets. The secondary market for fishing tackle consists of garage sales, pawn shops, internet sales, classified ads and equipment swap meets.

During the course of this investigation numerous officers have been involved in the investigation and in processing evidence. The Missouri State Water Patrol wishes to thank the following individuals and agencies that continue to provide assistance during the investigation: Missouri State Highway Patrol Computer Forensics Unit; Sheriff Dwight Diehl and Sgt. Steve Whitmore, Cass County Sheriff's Department; Prosecutor Teresa Hensley and Assistant Prosecutor Monica Premrose, Cass County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The discovery and arrest in this case would not have been possible without the support of these cooperating agencies. If members of other agencies or members of the public have additional information that might be associated with this investigation, please contact Sergeant Jay Pragman, Director of the Criminal Investigations Unit for the Missouri State Water Patrol.

The Water Patrol reminds fishermen and boat owners to document and record the serial numbers of electronics and other equipment stored on boats or docks. Locked storage compartments and lighting can discourage would be thieves. Owners should also mark equipment in an inconspicuous manner so that it can be identified and connected to them in case of a theft. Anytime you purchase used equipment you should have identifying information for the seller. Buyers should be suspicious of any seller who hesitates to supply contact information or items that are priced considerably below fair market value.

Anonymous crime tips may be submitted to the Water Patrol by phone or by the Departments website at: http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/Investigations/default


News Release ID: N07090112
Release Date: 20090727
 

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

River Island Article, Blessing of the Fleet Pics n' River Music............

   Promise... Promises.....

  We still need more time to get the River Island article and pictures from the Blessing of the Fleet on-line. 

  We are also going to feature some river music from a couple of river artists / bands in the next few days.....

River Rescue
     Mississippi River
     Firefighters Retrieve Stranded Boaters From The Mississippi River............

According to a news report from ksdk.com.................... After loosing power and lights near the confluence of the Mississippi and Meramec Rivers Sunday evening, four boaters found themselves in need of assistance.

Apparently, the boat in distress struck a buoy, causing the loss of power and lights. The vessel was in danger of being struck by barge traffic.

Firefighters responded with their jet boat, rescuing the foursome. One boater was taken to the hospital with minor back pain...............

Click here to read this news report. With Video.

 

Monday's Picture of the Day Mystery

The Dredge

Working Above Winfield Lock and Dam

 Click on pic to enlarge

The River Picture of the Day ..... is of the US Army Corps dredging the channel on Saturday just above the Winfield Dam.

~~~~~~~^~~~~~~~^~~~~~~~^~~~~~~~^~~~~~~

RiverBills received the following 3 e-mails about the dredge in Monday's edition. We called it the Dredge America.

Bill,

The dredge pictured is NOT the AMERICA.
Probably the WILLIAM A. THOMPSON.
The AMERICA is much smaller and not owned by the Corps.

Dan Owen
http://boatphotos.home.mindspring.com/welcome.html

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~

Riverbill:

The Dredge picture on your site today , is the Dustpan dredge POTTER.
William A. Thompson cutter head dredge was replaced by cutter dredge GOETZ.
Cutter head dredge AMERICA is privately owned by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. contracted out to the CORPS

Enjoy your site
Willard McDannold
Meredosia,Il
Mile 71

~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

Bill,
Here is a picture of the "Potter"...check the photo and see if matches the one on the website.....

Capt'n Toby Trice

Woodland Marina

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~
 

RiverBill says.... A big muddy thanks goes out to Dan Owen, Willard McDannold and Cap't Tony Trice for helping us out with the correct name on the dredge.  RiverBill's had it wrong in Monday's edition. 

After we received the 3 e-mails above, we looked her up on the US Army Corps of Engineers'.... "Locate a Vessel website".

They list the Dredge Potter as locking through Dam 25 on 7-10-2009. 

We went one step further.... and called Tom at Lock and Dam 25. He confirmed that it was indeed the Dredge Potter working right above the dam !   

RiverBill says... Thanks everyone !
 

2008 Flood Updates
    Hannibal, Missouri
    Flooded Out Businesses Still Await Buyouts From The Government...

According to a news article from connecttristates.com................ Even though the flood waters from 2008 have long since receded, several commercial properties in Hannibal, Missouri are still waiting for a decision from state and federal authorities about a buyout.

Out of the 26 properties in Hannibal that are eligible for the buyout, 12 are actual businesses while the other 14 are only vacant properties.

At this time FEMA is not approving residential property buyouts within the Hannibal city limits...............
 

Click here to read this news article.
 

River History....

The 1993 flood water crested at Louisiana, Mo at 28.4 feet setting new record.

Old record was 27.0 feet set in 1973

Marine Manufacturer News
    Teleflex Releases 2nd Quarter Results.................

According to a news report from tradeonlytoday.com................... Teleflex, Inc. has released their financial results for the second quarter, that ended June 28, 20009.

Teleflex reports a 14% decrease in revenue, including a 25% decrease in commercial segment revenue. This segment includes the marine division.

Second quarter revenues for the for the commercial segment were $82.2 million. This is down from $109.6 million for the same period last year. 18% of this decline is due to a decrease in core revenue.

The core revenue decline resulted from a decrease in sales of marine products to OEM manufacturers..............

Click here to read this news report.

Teleflex Marine.....
Teleflex has medical, aerospace and commercial units.  The marine division of the commercial unit sells boat controls, cables, steering systems, instrumentation, hose, engine parts, drive parts, etc.   Click here to go to Teleflex marine.....

Mercury Marine

    Fon du Lac, Wisconsin
    Union To Tap Governor For Assistance  Negotiations......

In a news article from tradeonlytoday.com............... The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) will ask Wisconsin Governor, James Doyle to participate in negotiations with Mercury Marine.

This move is in response to Mercury's possible operations shift from Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, to Stillwater, Oklahoma. This would cause the loss of 2000 jobs.

A Mercury spokesman stated that Mercury officials find it unlikely that a Governor would get involved with a company negotiating with it's employees, although, involvement by the Governor, would be up to the Governor.............

Click here to read this news article.

August 1 - 9

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive all "day use"  charges for the week of August 1st -9th at all of their recreation areas.

Monday

27 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Picture of the Day

Dredging Above Winfield Lock and Dam

 Click on pic to enlarge

The River Picture of the Day ..... is of the US Army Corps dredging the channel on Saturday just above the Winfield Dam.

~~~~~~~^~~~~~~~^~~~~~~~^~~~~~~~^~~~~~~

Updated at 11:15AM

We received the following e-mail from our friend ... Dan Owen. 

Bill,

The dredge pictured is NOT the AMERICA.
Probably the WILLIAM A. THOMPSON.
The AMERICA is much smaller and not owned by the Corps.

Dan Owen
http://boatphotos.home.mindspring.com/welcome.html

RiverBill says.....I had called this dredge the "America" when today's edition was published. I believe Dan is correct.....

Click here for a link to some of he US Army Corps of Engineer's vessels......Bill 

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Car Cruise

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2007.... was of another of the boat-car that can be seen cruising around on the Mississippi River from time to time. 

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/26/09
Subject: MM 180.0 UMR EAD BRIDGE LIGHTS EXTINGUISHED
NAVNOTICE # 1825

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0322-09 UM
SAFETY AND SCHEDULED BROADCAST UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0322-09 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
THE COAST GUARD HAS RECEIVED A REPORT THAT ALL NAVIGATION LIGHTS ARE EXTINGUISHED ON THE EADS BRIDGE (LLNR 16465) AT MM 180.0 UMR. ALL
MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHILE TRANSITING THIS
BRIDGE.


 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Happy Birthday Pat DiFatta !

Here birthday was Sunday

Tell here Happy Birthday when you see her !

                                             Mary Beth Tiemann

Missouri State Water Patrol News Releases.....

Updated Sun at 4:45AM

News Release N07090109

 Waterskiing Accident- Table Rock lake - 7/26/2009

Location:

     Big Bay, Pt.20, Shell Knob, Mo
Summary : 

WYATT WAS ON A TUBE WITH OTHER PEOPLE, WHEN HE FELL OFF. HE SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY WHEN HE FELL OFF. HE WAS TAKEN TO ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL IN SPRINGFIELD, MO

Injuries:

     Wyatt Mcfall,   05/09/2002,   Nixa, Mo

News Release N07090110

 Collision Objects  - Lake Ozarks - 7/26/2009

Location:

     South Buck Creek Cove, 8 MM, Sunrise Beach, Mo
Summary : 

THE BOAT WAS COMING INTO THE DOCK. THE OPERATOR GOT DISTRACTED AND HIT THE DOCK. ROSE WAS THROWN FROM THE FRONT OF THE BOAT ONTO THE DOCK. SHE SUFFERED AN INJURY TO HER LEG.

Injuries

Rose Bukaty......11/11/1983...Kansas City, Mo

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

Towboat News
     Recession Aside, Towboat Business Pushing Along...................

According to a news article from meridianstar.com.................... While the towboat manufacturing industry has weathered hard times before, the current recession is allowing some tow manufacturers to prosper.

Back in the early 80's, the after-effects of the bad economy, along with a Carter administration grain embargo against the Soviet Union, served to decimate the Barge shipping industry.

Those tow manufacturing companies that survived this recession were in the proverbial cat-bird's seat at the turn of the century. The tows in service were beginning to show their age, and companies were looking to replace the tows with new specimens...............

Click here to read this news article.
 

Con Trios yacht Club.........

The Alton Getaway invitations are coming in the mail. Get your reservations in early and get your dock reservations quickly. Alton Marina is starting to fill up already. Attached is an Adobe Acrobat file that has all the information and reservation form.

Darryll Weil,

Con Trios Yacht Club Fleet Captain and Webmaster

www.contriosyachtclub.org

 

Tomorrow......

River Islands......

 
RiverBill's will feature another series of articles written by Sherrie Stanczak.  Next week the feature will be on ..... River Islands.

Pictures from the Blessing of the Fleet.....

This coming Monday... RiverBill's will feature pictures from The Blessing of the Fleet.  Identify your boat and we will add the info to the picture.

Keep your anchor right where its at.......

Cause it's pretty interesting stuff coming down the river at you !

Boat Manufacturer News
     Despite The Recession, Cigarette Is Still Smokin...............

According to a news story from miamiherald.com.............. When Skip Braver took the helm of Cigarette Racing Team in 2002, he acquired a business that had passed through many hands, and was struggling financially.

Fast forward to 2009......

Even though sales are down by approximately 20%, with aggressive advertising, and a focus on the international sales market, Cigarette Racing Team is "Braving" the storm.

Back in the 90's Cigarette was producing 150 - 160 boats per year, and when Braver took over, production began to average about 72 boats per year. Braver states that the object is not to sell a lot of boats, but to make money on the ones you do sell..............

Click here to read this news story.

 

River History....

The steamboat era began in the city of St. Louis on July 27, 1817 when the "Zebulon M. Pike" arrived. Rapids in the river north of the city made St. Louis the northernmost navigable port for many large boats. St. Louis was quickly transformed into a bustling boomtown, commercial center, and inland port

Lake Ozarks

     Woman Drives into Lake, Dies......................

According to n news report from Lake Expo.com..... A woman drove here Jeep Cherokee into the Lake of the Qzarks this weekend from the parking lot of Dog Days. She drove off a seawall and into lake at the 19-mile marker.

The car floated briefly after entering the water before sinking into 12-20 feet of water.

Linda Rambo was recovered from the vehicle after approximately 19 minutes in the water. She was taken to Lake Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Click here to read more.
 

West Marine Settles Dispute With No Assed Penalties......................

According to n news report from tradeonlytoday.com.................. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reached a settlement with West Marine over West Marine's restatement of financial results for fiscal years 2002 - 2005, in addition to the first 3 quarters of 2006.

These financial restatements were a result of an initiative by the company in 2007 to correct accounting for indirect inventory.

It would seem that the 2 years that West Marine has been cooperating with the SEC has paid off, as there have been no fines or penalties assed to the company.....

Click here to read this news report.

August 1st and 8th

Boating Class
 

Hello Once Again,

We will be hosting another Boating Safety Class in August. Please let me know if you would like to attend. I like the hours that they have selected. You can go to class in the morning and be boating in the afternoon!!

Jan DeSherlia

Grafton Harbor
618-786-7678
 

U.S. Coast Guard photograph

EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN - Crewmembers prepare to depart from the over-the-horizon (OTH) small boat aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, July 22. The OTH was launched to conduct maintenance to the Bertholf in preparations for the parade of ships during the Seattle Seafair

(Coast Guard photo/PA2 Jetta H. Disco)

It's the Weekend

Saturday, Sunday

25, 26 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Updated Sun at 4:45AM

Welcome New Advertiser !

Picture of the Day

Sunday

Private Blessing

The River Picture of the Day ..... is from Susan Bullington........

Bill,
With the wind gusting, my husband and I decided to skip the Blessing of the Fleet Saturday. Instead, we ended up at Grafton Harbor in a transient slip for the evening. I was disappointed because I really wanted to get the boat blessed this year. As it turns out, we met a great couple, Joe & Jan, who are permanent slip holders right by the slip they assigned us. We noticed that they had quite a crowd around their boat. Imagine our surprise when we discovered that Joe's brother is a priest and he was being visited by two other priests, one from Canada and the other from Rome! They kindly asked if we would like our boat blessed and I just couldn't believe it! I truly feel that it was fate that brought us to them because as soon as we were tucked safely into our slip, the winds that drove us there vanished. I guess you could say we had our own little "river miracle" this weekend!

Susan Bullington
St. Charles, MO

Picture of the Day

Saturday

Congratulations to

Dustin and Joy Barbaglia

The River Pictures of the Day ..... Are of Dustin and Joy's Wedding on the River !

Bill,

We would like to include a couple ThankYou's.

We used my father's home, Alan Morgan, for the wedding spot. 

John Halbauer brought he Boat up the "Mona Lisa", that is the vessel we were married upon.

Mike D, he did all the BBQ with his monster smiley face grill.

A lot of other people deserve ThankYou's as well, but those were the major contributors to making the wedding go off without a hitch.

Well we appreciate it and as always the site looks great !


Dustin Barbaglia
Joy Barbaglia

RiverBill says... Congrats to Joy and Dustin !

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Sunday

River Dawg Fido says  "Can't we go any faster ?"

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2008.........were sent in By Mike Halley, Who hails out of Yacht Club of St. Louis in the cruiser  "Over Exposed".

Bill,

Here are a couple more shots of a boat that passed in the front of our line of boats. I thought it looked like it may happen & it did, the dog jumped from the front of the boat and then it looked like the dog was pulling the boat. I don't know who it was in the boat but take a look at the pictures & they'll make you laugh. I guess the boat just wasn't going fast enough for the dog.

Mike Halley

Over Exposed

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Saturday

Grafton Harbor Sunset

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2008.... was from Capt'n Steve Thompson

Hi Bill,
We took a little evening cruise on the Blonde Moment Wednesday and ended up at Grafton Harbor. I took the picture right at sunset inside the harbor.

Steve Thompson.
"Shark Bait"

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/24/09
Subject: ILR Closure on 26 JUL 09, MM 119 - 119.5
NAVNOTICE # 1824

The ILR will be closed to Navigation on 26 JULY 2009 for the Havana Boat Races between the hours of 12 noon to 4PM.
 

 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Missouri State Water Patrol News Releases.....

Updated Sun at 4:45AM

News Release N07090107

 Collision - Objects - 7/24/2009

Location:

     BOQUE BAY 4MM GRAVOIS,  Lake of the Qzarks
Summary : 

Ms. Locklin was traveling south on the lake when she hit a wake. Upon landing back onto the water her hand excelerated the pwc. Ms. Locklin was out of control and about to hit a dock. She jumped off the pwc to avoid contact with the dock. The dock sustained moderate damage.

News Release N07090103

 Drowning  - Stockton - 7/24/2009

Location:

     L1, Stockton, Mo  
Summary : 

Victim, girlfriend and grandfather where out sailing when the victim and his girlfriend went for a swim. While they where swimming the boat started to move. The girlfriend swam to the boat. Once she got on board she heard the victim yell for help. The girlfriend grabbed a PFD and jumped back into the water to assist. When she made it to the victim he went under the water and she could not locate him. Search is ongoing at this time for the missing subject.

Missing

Rosales, George......2/27/1982...Springfield, Mo

News Release N07090104

 Hit By Propeller- Table Rock - 7/24/2009

Location:

     Six Miles up the Kings River Arm, Stockton, Mo  
Summary : 

Subject was attempting to board a vessel that had previously been pulling him on a tube, while trying to climb onto this vessel the subject suffered a laceration to his upper left thigh from the propeller. Subject was treated and released.

Boat Type

Tracker Deck boat

Injured

Heeney, Benjamin .........5/13/1992..... Hutchinson, KS

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

Updated Sun at 4:45 AM

Lake of the Ozarks

     Thunder at the Lake2009

     Photo Coverage

Photo coverage of Thunder at the Lake Poker Run 2009...Click here
 

Updated Sun at 4:45 AM

New Policies Available For Live-Aboard Boats And Yachts......
     Boat Manufacturer News

Correct Craft Seeking Business Opportunities To Invest In......................

According to a news story from tradeonlytoday.com................... Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin is assembling a team of marine industry veterans in order to seek out and asses potential investment opportunities.

Correct Craft is making this move with the help of it's parent company, Ambassador Enterprises. Ambassador Enterprises is a private equity firm that took over ownership of Correct Craft in 2008.

The marine industry insiders recruited to assist with surveying and assessing investment opportunities include Chuck West, former MasterCraft CEO, the former president of Textron Marine Finance, Russell Baquir, and Correct Craft's own CFO, Sean Marrero...................

Click here to read this news story.

Updated Sun at 4:45 AM

Boat Insurance News
     New Policies Available For Live-Aboard Boats And Yachts......

According to a news report from tradeonlytoday.com................ Maritime General Agency, of Westbrook, Connecticut, has introduced a news insurance program that pertains to the live-aboard vessels.

The Live aboard Yacht Coverage Endorsement will be attached to the companies' existing New Hampshire Insurance Company Yacht Policy.

The added coverage will go to protect personal property, personal liability, as well as additional medical payments, all while retaining the coverage already in the existing yacht policy..................

Click here to read this news report.

Saturday,   25  July 2009

     Kinder's Restaurant Presents !

Karaoke with DJ Bad Boy
Party stars at 8:30PM

Saturday,   25  July 2009

     Classic Marine Customer Appreciation Day

     and Boat Show at Grafton's Landing

In conjunction with our In-water Boat Show at Grafton's Landing this weekend, we are also having a Customer Appreciation Day on Sunday from 1-3pm with an appetizer buffet. Please stop by to visit with us and have a bite to eat as we thank you, our loyal customers, for keeping us growing stronger every day.

If you have any questions, feel free to email or call me.
Thank you and I hope to see you there!

Michelle Jones
Classic Marine
636-887-4006

Specials at Longshot Saloon for Blessing of the Fleet:

Fresh Lobster Dinner with side and salad - $ 18.95
Fresh Wahoo Dinner with side and salad - $ 14.95
Fresh Mahi- Mahi Sandwich and fries - $ 10.99

Mahi- Mahi Fingers and fries  -    $8.99

Pulled Pork Sandwich and fries - $4.99
 

News .....

The harbor at Longshot Saloon has been dredged !

Starting Next Monday

River Islands......

 
This coming Monday... RiverBill's will feature another series of articles written by Sherrie Stanczak.  Next week the feature will be on ..... River Islands.

Pictures from the Blessing of the Fleet.....

This coming Monday... RiverBill's will feature pictures from The Blessing of the Fleet.  Identify your boat and we will add the info to the picture.

Keep your anchor right where its at.......

Cause it's pretty interesting stuff coming down the river at you !

River History....

Flood of 1993…..The Mississippi River at Quincy,IL crests at a record 32 feet.

Saturday,   25  July 2009

     AguaPalooza

     Alton Marina

AquaPalooza, the World’s Largest Boating Party returns to the Mississippi River !

ALL BOATERS WELCOME! Please join MarineMax, Sea Ray and The Alton Marina for a great day of boating, jamming tunes, prizes and togetherness with family and friends.

Come early and stay late for the Alton Block Party.

Register online at aquapalooza.com and receive two free t shirts.



When: Saturday, July 25, 2009 from1 PM to 5 PM
Where: Alton Marina
Complimentary day slips available at the Alton Marina. Call 618-462-9860 for overnight slip rental.

Illinois River

    It's Asian Carping Time

According to a news article on Prairie Sate Outdoors website....... last weekend the conditions for Asian Carping on the Illinois River were perfect !

Thirty-one boats took part in the Innerloc State Bowfishing Championship out of Henry, Illinois and brought in an estimated 18,000 silver carp. ....And most of those just jumped into the boats !
 

The winning boat took  4,150 carp in 12 hours ..... Wow !

The big fish of the tournament weighed in at only 16.3 pounds.
 

Click to read this news story......

Illinois

     Duck Season Delayed

According to a news article on Prairie Sate Outdoors website....... The Illinois Duck season has been delayed in the south zone.   More info to be released on Thursday

Mississippi River / Gulf Outlet
   Barrier That Closes MR-GO Has Been Completed..............

According to a news report from nola.com................. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that the barrier closing the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO), has been completed. And it is ahead of schedule.

The barrier spans 950 feet across the channel, and is 450 feet wide at it's base. The barrier is only 12 feet wide at it's crown, and stands only 7 feet above the level of the water. It cost $11.2 million, and was constructed with 352,000 tons of rock.

The Corps is now slated to work on restoring ecosystems, in addition the restoration of wetlands...................

Click here to read this news report

Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

Boat Manufacturer news
   The Decline In Boat Sales Has Fallen Off in June...............

In a news article from tradeonlytoday.com................. The decline in news boat sales has tapered off in June. These results are based on 62 percent of the U.S. market. This works out to the reporting of 26 states.

Preliminary results for June show that all fiberglass vessel sales fell off by 22.4%, whereas aluminum sales were only down by 19.6%. These figures do not include documented vessels, due to delays at the Coast Guard.

The slow-down in the decline of boat sales is a good omen, especially in a historically brisk sales month like June................

Click here to read this news article.
 

Friday

24 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Welcome New Advertiser !

Picture of the Day

Slipping n' Sliding on Gilbert Island

Click on pic to enlarge

The River Pictures of the Day ..... Are from Renee Fisher, who hails out of Scipio Marina in Hannibal, Mo

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2008.... was from Capt'n Mike Halley, who hails out of Polestar Marina in the cruiser....Over Exposed.

  It's the boat line in Mason Chute (3rd Chute) on a Sunday afternoon in 2008.

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/23/09
Subject: Dredging At MM 40.0 ILR
NAVNOTICE # 1821

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0321-09 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0321-09 UM
ILLINOIS RIVER
DREDGING OPERATIONS HAVE COMMENCED AT MM 40.0 ILR AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. DREDGING OPERATIONS WILL BE PERFORMED 24 HOURS A DAY, MONDAY THRU FRIDAY. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE DREDGE GOETZ ON VHF-FM CHANNEL'S 14 OR 16, 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO TRANSITING THE AREA FOR PASSING INSTRUCTIONS. ALL MARINERS ARE URGED TO TRANSIT AT THEIR SLOWEST SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKE AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION AFTER PASSING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.
 

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/23/09
Subject: TRANSIT ADVISORY / ENTIRE ILLINOIS RIVER WATERWAY
NAVNOTICE # 1817

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0318-09 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0318-09 UM
ILLINOIS RIVER
TRANSIT ADVISORY / POTENTIAL FOR VESSEL GROUNDINGS
DUE TO WATER LEVELS ON THE ILLINOIS WATERWAY DROPPING BACK TO FLAT
POOL ELEVATIONS AFTER A LONG TERM HIGH WATER EVENT, IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT BARGES NOT DRAFT OVER 9 FT ANYWHERE ON THE RIVER. THIS MAY BE ESPECIALLY CRITICAL IN LAGRANGE POOL AND SPECIFICALLY THE BEARDSTOWN AREA. ALL MARINERS ARE URGED TO WATCH THEIR DRAFTS AND USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TRANSITING THESE AREAS.

 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBill's........... click here

Saturday,   25  July 2009

     Kinder's Restaurant Presents !

Karaoke with DJ Bad Boy
Party stars at 8:30PM

Saturday,   25  July 2009

     Classic Marine Customer Appreciation Day

     and Boat Show at Grafton's Landing

In conjunction with our In-water Boat Show at Grafton's Landing this weekend, we are also having a Customer Appreciation Day on Sunday from 1-3pm with an appetizer buffet. Please stop by to visit with us and have a bite to eat as we thank you, our loyal customers, for keeping us growing stronger every day.

If you have any questions, feel free to email or call me.
Thank you and I hope to see you there!

Michelle Jones
Classic Marine
636-887-4006

Specials at Longshot Saloon for Blessing of the Fleet:

Fresh Lobster Dinner with side and salad - $ 18.95
Fresh Wahoo Dinner with side and salad - $ 14.95
Fresh Mahi- Mahi Sandwich and fries - $ 10.99

Mahi- Mahi Fingers and fries  -    $8.99

Pulled Pork Sandwich and fries - $4.99
 

News .....

The harbor at Longshot Saloon has been dredged !

Starting Next Monday

River Islands......

 
This coming Monday... RiverBill's will feature another series of articles written by Sherrie Stanczak.  Next week the feature will be on ..... River Islands.

Pictures from the Blessing of the Fleet.....

This coming Monday... RiverBill's will feature pictures from The Blessing of the Fleet.  Identify your boat and we will add the info to the picture.

Keep your anchor right where its at.......

Cause it's pretty interesting stuff coming down the river at you !

Missouri State Water Patrol
   Budget Cuts Update

According to a news report from the ozarkcountytimes.com.................... While the state looks at budget cuts to trim the Missouri State Water Patrol (MSWP) budget, a proposal to save $467,000l may remove the only Water Patrol officer from Ozark County. Actually, there are 2 officers in Ozark County, but one is the head of the MSWP dive team.

The proposed cuts would also eliminate 2 officers from the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, 2 officers from the Lake of the Ozarks, in addition to 2 from the Ninaqua River in southern Missouri.

The Department of Public Safety, which oversees the Water Patrol is quick to state that the officer eliminations are only possibilities..............

Click here to read this news report

News Release

 Release No. 25-09    Point of Contact: Nicole M. Dalrymple, 314-331-8068

  For Release:  IMMEDIATE - 23 July, 2009         

1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2833 / www.mvs.usace.army.mil

Army Corps’ Largest Diesel Towboat traveling the Illinois River in August
 

St. Louis – The M/V (Motor Vessel) Mississippi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest diesel towboat and flagship to the Mississippi River Commission, will be traveling 240 miles up, and then down, the Illinois River, August 4-13. The visit is part of the commission’s annual Low Water Inspection trip.

Each spring and late summer, the Mississippi River Commission conducts a series of public meetings aboard the vessel, with the late summer trip including the St. Louis area. The public meetings are held at various locations along the Mississippi River. The Commission, established by Congress in 1879, holds the meetings to maintain a  dialogue, and to exchange viewpoints and ideas with stakeholders and the public. A public meeting is scheduled at the St. Louis Riverfront, Mo., August 14 at 9 a.m.

General duties of the Mississippi River Commission include making recommendations on policy and work programs, studying and reporting on whether modifications or additions are needed for flood control and navigation projects, providing recommendations on any matters authorized by law, and making semi-annual inspection trips.

Traditionally during the Low Water Inspection trip, the commission travels the length of the Mississippi River stretching from Minnesota to New Orleans. However, in the last five years the commission has incorporated visits to the other major river basins feeding into the Mississippi.

The seven-person, Presidentially-appointed commission, comprised of three Army officers, an Admiral and three civilians, will visit the Illinois River basin to share information and learn from customers, stakeholders and interest groups about the management of the river system. The commission will be doing a systemic inspection and fact gathering trip of the Illinois River basin. The commission will make five stops in Illinois at Ottawa, Peoria, Beardstown, La Grange and Alton.

- MORE -

MISSISSIPPI/2-2-2

Except for two open houses being planned by the Army Corps’ Rock Island District in Peoria (Aug. 6) and Ottawa (Aug. 8), the M/V Mississippi will not be open to the public as it travels along the Illinois River. It will however be visible to residents along the river and at several riverfront communities. A tentative schedule of the boat’s movements is below but dates and times are subject to change based on river conditions and travel times.

• August 4 Grafton (Heading upstream around noon)
• August 5 Traveling between La Grange Lock and Dam and Peoria
• August 6 Open House from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. downstream of Riverplex in Peoria
• August 7 Traveling between Peoria and Ottawa
• August 8 Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Allen Park in Ottawa
• August 9 Standing by at Ottawa
• August 10 Standing by at Ottawa (departing down stream around 8:30 p.m.)
• August 11 Chillicothe Riverfront, Peoria Riverfront (standing by most of the day)
• August 12 Beardstown (morning), La Grange Lock and Dam, Meredosia, Naples
• August 13 Grafton (arrival around 9 a.m.)

The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the biggest diesel towboat in the United States at 241 feet long, 58 feet wide and five stories high. Three 2100-hp diesel engines power the vessel.

The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The boat will be open to the public Sunday, August 2 at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Illinois, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about the open house, or if special accommodations are required, contact the National Great Rivers Museum at 618-462-6979.

-30-

Editor’s Note: Photos of the M/V Mississippi are available by contacting the St. Louis District Public Affairs Office at 314-331-8068.

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~

The above was reprinted from the US Army Corps of Engineers website.

Information presented on Corps Web public web sites is considered public information and may be distributed or copied.

Click here to go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website.

River History....

Flood of 1993…..The Mississippi River at Quincy,IL crests at a record 32 feet.

Saturday,   25  July 2009

     AguaPalooza

     Alton Marina

AquaPalooza, the World’s Largest Boating Party returns to the Mississippi River !

ALL BOATERS WELCOME! Please join MarineMax, Sea Ray and The Alton Marina for a great day of boating, jamming tunes, prizes and togetherness with family and friends.

Come early and stay late for the Alton Block Party.

Register online at aquapalooza.com and receive two free t shirts.



When: Saturday, July 25, 2009 from1 PM to 5 PM
Where: Alton Marina
Complimentary day slips available at the Alton Marina. Call 618-462-9860 for overnight slip rental.

Illinois Fishing Reports .......

Illinois Fishing Report.. Click here to read the Illinois Fishing Report on Prairie States Outdoors website.  Covers the State of Illinois from Lake Michigan to Rend Lake.

Missouri Fishing Report  ------ The Missouri Department of Conservation has issued this week's Fishing Report.  

81 degrees, normal, muddy; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and stinkbaits; carp and buffalo good on nightcrawlers and doughbaits; shovelnose sturgeon fair on nightcrawlers; white bass fair on small spinners; all other species slow.

(Report made on 7/23/2009)
.

Missouri River (below New Haven)

(Report made on 7/23/2009)


 

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~

The above reprinted from the weekly [Mo-fish] Weekly Fishing Report e-mail.

Check out the report for the entire state of Missouri

go to  http://www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/fishrt/

Nickjack Lake

   Chattanooga, Tennessee
   World Record Catfish Caught On 10 Lb Test Line......................

According to a news article from the tennessean.com................. Jerry Uhrine has captured the largest blue catfish ever caught. On 10 pond test line.

The 75.4 pound, 52 inch long monster catfish was categorized in the "catch and release" category, as Jerry let him go.... After snapping a couple of pictures, of course.

The fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame certified the giant catfish this week. It was caught on June 28, 2009.

The old record cat captured on 10 lb test was only 42 inches long, and was caught on Lake Catherine in Arkansas......................

Click here to read this news article.

Rock River

   Rockton, IL

   Endangered Lake Sturgeon Found Dead

According to the Prairie States Outdoors website......A dead 58-inch lake sturgeon, weighing about 40 pounds, was retrieved from the Rock River in May of this year.  It was removed from the water intake grate of the North American hydro generating station there.

 Lake Sturgeon are on the endangered species list in 19 or 20 states including Illinois. There have only been five earlier reports of lake sturgeon in Illinois !

Click here to read this news story.

Mercury Marine

   Launches New Sites To Show Future Plans.............

According to a news story from tradeonlytoday.com.............. With Mercury Marine's launch of two "micro sites" employees, and the general public both can track Mercury's future plans.

The name of the consumer site is "Charting Our Course". The site will contain post updates, media coverage, and even a Q and A section, with comments from company executives.

Employees may access "Charting Our Course" through the Brunswick site with their Brunswick password. Consumers may gain access to "Charting Our Course" via mercurymarine.com, clicking the News and Events tab, and then clicking "Charting Our Course"..................

Click here to read this news story.

Click here to visit the Mercury Marine website.

Palisades Yacht Club Update.....

Thanks for a Great Blessing of the Fleet and the Best Decorated Boat in our Harbor went to Dave & Sue Macmahan!

Thanks
Amy@PYC
 

RiverBill's Message Board Has Been Shut Down.......

We had to shut down RiverBill's Message Board for a while.  We had an external attack on an unseen portion of the message board.  The hackers were using RiverBill's to send out large amounts of e-mails that have been reported to the company we rent server space from as "spam with possible malicious content." 

To prevent a lock being placed on our web space RiverBill's Message Board was voluntarily shut down  .......

Weird River News
    Mississippi River
    Man Lucky To Be Alive After Driving Truck Into Mississippi River.

In to a news article from wqow.com.............. A man from Ellsworth, Wisconsin is lucky to be alive, according to police. Corey Haase had driven his truck into the Mississippi River.

Apparently, Haase was able to escape from his truck, and swim to a dock in Red Wing, Minnesota, where he passed out.

Police arrested Hasse early Tuesday morning on the dock for drunk driving.....

Click here to read this news article. With Photo.

 

U.S. Coast Guard photograph

Cutter Makinaw

CHICAGO—U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, homeported in Cheboygan, Mich., provides a platform for spectators at the starting line of the 101st Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinaw Saturday, July 18, 2009. 337 competitors sailed through the starting line just offshore from the Navy Pier.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell)

 

Thursday

23 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

River News Flash

The now-defunked Sharky's Floating Restaurant

at Woodland Harbor has sunk !

Scroll down for more info and picture....

Welcome New Advertiser !

News Flash !

The above photos by Lisa Hickey

Click on pic to enlarge

The above photos courtesy Woodland Marina

The River Picture of the Day ..... We received the above pictures and following e-mail from Woodland Marina....

Bill,

We have been trying very long and hard to keep her a float; so this way we could take her down. Over night she went down. As I am a great grand-daughter to the owner I've had many memories there which once was Woodland Yacht Club private to the Woodland Marina members only then to Sharky's who was open to the public. There is going to be a lot of action these coming weeks. But I thought you wouldn't mind a few pictures from land. As I was leaving there were boats on the river taking pictures.
 

Woodland Marina

Yesterday's Blessing of the Fleet pic

RiverBill says... When you see your boat here, send me an e-mail and with the boat name and owner .  We will add it to the picture.

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day from 2007.... was of a River Sunset taken from Ronnie and Linda Stevens' houseboat, Summer Breeze, up around Two Branch Island.  Look at those colors !

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/21/09
Subject: Diving Operations MM 200.3 UMR RDB
NAVNOTICE # 1816

DIVING OPERATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT MM 200.3 UMR RDB ON WEDNESDAY
22JUL09 FROM 0700-1700 CDT. DIVING OPERATIONS WILL NOT AFFECT
NAVIGATION. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT AT THEIR SLOWEST
SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKE AND TRANSIT THE AREA WITH EXTREME
CAUTION. 
 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Happy Birthday

Capt'n Ronnie Stevens

May your gas tank always be full,

Your drinks always cold,

and your boat .....always filled with Friends  !

The River Rats             

Missouri River
   St. Charles Riverfront
   Robert E. Lee Gets Go-Ahead To Re-Open................

According to a news article from news-leader.com................ Tuesday evening, the St. Charles City Council had voted unanimously, approving a financial deal allowing the Robert E. Lee to re-open at the St. Charles Riverfront.

The deal involves the owner if the Lee, Steve Petroff, making repairs to the vessel, with the some of the repair costs credited toward the lease.

The Robert E. Lee was built on a debris cleaning vessel's hull in 1969, and was open on the St. Louis Riverfront from 1970 through 1993. The Lee had been moved about in recent years in an effort to re-open it...........

Click here to read this news article.
 

Little John's Motorsports Update.......

HI ALL

I apologize for not checking in, but, I had to take a deep breath and regroup.
We had a flawless trip to Augusta, good trip, no breakdowns, great weather.

I had a real hard time dialing in for great numbers in teat and tune on Friday.
On Sat. I made some drastic changes, and some FATAL mistakes.

REMEMBER, a perfect run is 9.000 A perfect reaction time is 0.000

We ended up qualifying with a 9.090
On Sunday,Ashly won her first race with a 9.001, and a reaction time of 0.013
won her second race with a 9.009, and a reaction time of 0.071
In the third race, the other driver red lighted, and that disqualified him, and we automatically won.
BUT THAT IS WHEN OUR BOMB WENT OFF
Our engine is totally gone
Due to our safety equipment, and Ashly's common sense, She and the boat are ok.

For the people out there that understand the power that we run, I will explain the fatal mistake.
In an unfamiliar altitude and density, I increased the timing, and fuel, to build power.
It worked, but we went from 9.203 to 8.88. that is to big of a spread to work with, in the time I had.
I dropped the gears to bring up power, but did not decrease the timing.
At 7400 RPM, I built a BOMB at 39 degrees timing. (as they say, don't try this at home)

I have no one to blame but myself, but that part of the adventure is OVER

THIS STORY KEEPS GETTING BETTER AN BETTER

AS I was backing in the water,after the explosion, to get Ashly on the trailer, reverse went out in our new boat limo.
We cleaned Ashly, and the boat up, before returning to the pits.
We returned to the pits,with a smile on our face, and addressed a couple of hundred very concerned people.

We kept our smile, acted as it was no big deal, went to the banquet to celebrate to celebrate our friends victories,
and had a good evening. SPEED SPORTS from St. Louis did win the Top Fuel Hydro (somewhere around 250 mph in 1/4 mile)

Monday morning, we loaded up and tried to head for home.
We made it about 100 miles and blew both brand new tires on one side of the trailer. That took about four hours.
We then started having computer problems with our brand new motorhome.
We stopped 50 or 60 times on our trip home.

We arrived home at 12.00 on Tues.
We immediately pulled the boat motor, stripped it, and loaded the parts in the truck.
We then unloaded the boat from our new hauler, and took it to MIDWEST RECYCLERS who gave us the car
Sonny Robins, and the crew from Midwest, gave us a transmission. (really tuff to argue about warranty here)
THANK YOU SONNY

We then took the motor home to SUNSET FORD for the necessary repairs.
A very special thanks to APACHE VILLAGE, and SUNSET for immediate service.

We have parts coming from all over the nation, and a lot of them are donated.

We have until Aug 1 to be on the track in Ky. Lake
REASONS WHY?

We are #1 in KDBA
We are #2 in SLDBA
We are # 1, and # 2 in two divisions of IHBA (THIS IS WHAT I AM TOLD, BUT NOT DOCUMENTED)
Ashly, and our team have worked way to hard to give up now, over my mistake.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THAT ARE TRYING TO HELP

Everything is as it can be at this moment.
Tomorrow, I have to get back to my real job until our parts get here.
WE WILL GET ER DONE
 

LJ

More River News and Boating Tidbits......

Family Flooded In Winfield Last Year Gets Free Air Conditioner...Click here

Lake Ozarks...... Mo. Attorney General to Investigate E. Coli Cover-Up ...Click here
 

Fish and energy needs clash in Midwest... Click here
 

Mississippi And Illinois Rivers
   Illinois' First Documented Nesting of American White Pelican

In a news story from Chicago suntimes.com............ the American White Pelican has been steadily shifted it migratory path east and has become a common site along the Illinois River valley over the past 10 years. 

Now, the "first ever" nest of the bird in the state of Illinois has now been reported.   The article don't give an exact location, except for that its on an island in the Mississippi River.

Click here to read this news story. With Photos.

 

According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia..... 

The bird breeds in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, up to Central America, in winter.

American White Pelicans nest in colonies of several hundred pairs on islands in remote brackish and freshwater lakes of inland North America. The most northerly nesting colony can be found on islands in the rapids of the Slave River between Fort Fitzgerald, Alberta and Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. About 10-20% of the population uses Gunnison Island in the Great Basin's Great Salt Lake as a nesting ground. The southernmost colonies are in southwestern Ontario and northeastern California.

They winter on the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts from central California and Florida south to Panama, and along the Mississippi river at least as far north as St. Louis, Missouri. In winter quarters, they are rarely found on the open seashore, preferring brackish estuaries and lagoons. They cross deserts and mountains but avoid the open ocean on migration. But stray birds, often blown off course by hurricanes, have been seen in the Caribbean. In Colombian territory it has been recorded first on February 22, 1997, on the San Andrés Island, where they might have been swept by Hurricane Marco which passed nearby in November 1996. Since then, there have also been a few observations likely to pertain to this species on the South American mainland.

Wild American White Pelicans may live for more than 16 years. In captivity, the record lifespan stands at over 34 years.

 

Con Trios Yacht Club Update.......

 

Posted some more pictures from the Con Trios Luau Party at Grafton Harbor from Gary Dill. Here is a direct link to Gary’s pictures:

http://www.contriosyachtclub.org/gallery/2009_luau_gary_dill/default.html



The invitations for the Alton Getaway on Saturday, August 15th have been sent to Dave Stolze for printing and mailing. Might want to go ahead and get your slip reservations in. Between The Ralph Butler Band playing and Mike Tremmel’s World Famous Ribs, they are going to be filling up fast! Call Alton Marina at 618-462-9860. Tell them you are with the Con Trios Yacht Club to get our special rate of $1 per foot for Friday and Saturday.


Darryll Weil,

Fleet Captain and webmaster

Con Trios yacht Club

Boat Manufacturer News
   Correct Craft Has Built, And Sold Its 200,000 Nautique..................

According to a news story from tradeonlytoday.com................. Correct Craft had recently produced their 200,000th Nautique. A Crossover Nautique 226.

This particular boat was sold to Barry Bone, of Austin, Texas. His boat dealer, Sail and Ski, held a party to celebrate the occasion.

The parent company of Nautique, Correct Craft has been manufacturing boats for 84 years........

Click here to read this news story.

Missouri River
   Pierre, South Dakota
   Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee

According to a news report from argusleader.com................... While the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) is discussing issues pertaining to the Missouri River, South Dakota Governor, Mike Rounds, states that the committee has the opportunity to improve the management of the Missouri, for people, and wildlife.

The MRRIC consists of 70 members that represent federal, state, tribal, and local interests in the Missouri River basin.

The group is focusing on restoring animal habitats, while maintaining recreational, and commercial usage of the Missouri River.

While the upstream reservoirs are at higher levels, this time will be a test of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ability to manage the river...................

Click here to read this news report

RiverBill's Message Board Has Been Shut Down.......

We had to shut down RiverBill's Message Board for a while.  We had an external attack on an unseen portion of the message board.  The hackers were using RiverBill's to send out large amounts of e-mails that have been reported to the company we rent server space from as "spam with possible malicious content." 

To prevent a lock being placed on our web space RiverBill's Message Board was voluntarily shut down  .......

U.S. Coast Guard photograph

Secretary of DHS visits Station Monterey

MONTEREY, Calif. - A Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Monterey, with Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, aboard, passes a Monterey Fire Department vessel during an area familiarization run, Monday, July 20, 2009. It was Napolitano's first time aboard the Coast Guard's heavy weather specific boat.

Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Levi Read.

 

Wednesday

22 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

River News Flash

The now-defunked Sharky's Floating Restaurant

at Woodland Harbor has sunk !

Scroll down for more info and picture....

Welcome New Advertiser !

News Flash !

The above photos by Lisa Hickey

Click on pic to enlarge

The above photos courtesy Woodland Marina

News Flash ..... We received the following picture and e-mail from Woodland Marina....

Bill,

We have been trying very long and hard to keep her a float; so this way we could take her down. Over night she went down. As I am a great grand-daughter to the owner I've had many memories there which once was Woodland Yacht Club private to the Woodland Marina members only then to Sharky's who was open to the public. There is going to be a lot of action these coming weeks. But I thought you wouldn't mind a few pictures from land. As I was leaving there were boats on the river taking pictures.
 

Picture of the Day

52 Annual Blessing of the Fleet

Pool 26... Mississippi River

Click on pic to enlarge

The River Picture of the Day ..... is another shot by Linda Bowers of the boats in this year's Blessing of the Fleet.

RiverBill says... When you see your boat here, send me an e-mail and with the boat name and owner .  We will add it to the picture.

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Yesteryear's Pictures of the Day from 2005----- was an action shot taken by Steve Schulte of a jet ski doing some serious air time.    Check out Steve's website by clicking on his link on the right hand side of this web page

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/21/09
Subject: Diving Operations MM 200.3 UMR RDB
NAVNOTICE # 1816

DIVING OPERATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT MM 200.3 UMR RDB ON WEDNESDAY
22JUL09 FROM 0700-1700 CDT. DIVING OPERATIONS WILL NOT AFFECT
NAVIGATION. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT AT THEIR SLOWEST
SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKE AND TRANSIT THE AREA WITH EXTREME
CAUTION. 
 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Saturday,   25  July 2009

     AguaPalooza

     Alton Marina

AquaPalooza, the World’s Largest Boating Party returns to the Mississippi River !

ALL BOATERS WELCOME! Please join MarineMax, Sea Ray and The Alton Marina for a great day of boating, jamming tunes, prizes and togetherness with family and friends.

Come early and stay late for the Alton Block Party.

Register online at aquapalooza.com and receive two free t shirts.



When: Saturday, July 25, 2009 from1 PM to 5 PM
Where: Alton Marina
Complimentary day slips available at the Alton Marina. Call 618-462-9860 for overnight slip rental.

Lake Ozarks

   Aquapalooza Boat Party

Click here and take a look at the LakeExpo.com.....Aquapalooza Boat Party at the Lake of the Ozarks this past weekend.

Bicycling Boaters

   Mississippi River Trail

   ParkPalooza.....  Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (The Arch)


September 12th and 13th -

A fun-filled September event hosted at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (the ARCH) in St. Louis. Designed for children and families, ParkPalooza® offers something for everyone. Listen to historic New Orleans jazz, walk the entire MRT, enjoy art, exhibits, performances, and much more!

This outdoor festival offers a broad variety of outdoor recreation experiences to enjoy.

Click here to go to the Mississippi River Trail website for more info

~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

Did you know ?

The Mississippi River Trail, coursing along America’s backbone, the Mississippi River, from its headwaters in Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, offers approximately 3,000 miles of on-road bicycle trails and pedestrian pathways for the recreational enjoyment, health, conservation and tourism development of river communities, river states, and the nation.

We invite you to explore the trail, order a guidebook for the best cycling maps, read about us, plan a trip, review our maps, link to our partners, supporters and friends, and become a part of MRT.

The above partially reprinted from the Mississippi River Trail website
 

Click on Ad above 

Hog Back Date Change.....August 28 - 30, 2009

Follow the crowd to Quincy for Hogback 2009 August 28^th-30th. This is a trip through 4 locks on the Mississippi to Quincy Illinois. Not for the faint of heart and adults only.

To follow along in a group meet at 8 am Friday August 28th at Cedar Hill. The Tiki bar will be open and Danishes will be provided.

We will stop halfway in Louisiana at the Two Rivers Marina (217-437-2321) for ice and fuel.

Once in Quincy we can dock at Quinssippi Boat Club if you are staying on your boat or Call Art Keller Marina for slips. They have gas and slips. Art Keller Marinas number is 217-228-9227.

We will gather Friday night at Quinssippi Boat Club for a party. Saturday is the big Beach Party at Hogback Island. Saturday night dinner still needs to be determined. We will miss the Phinn’s they are playing downtown Quincy the week before.

Sunday you’re on your own to travel back home at your own speed. Most people get up and head out around 10 or 11am.

If you need a hotel room there is a block of rooms reserved under my name at Quincy City Centre (old Holiday Inn.) The number is 217-222-2666. The rooms are only reserved until July 24^th at the rate of $68.00/night.

Please RSVP if you plan to go so I can warn the Marinas and bars along the way. If you could email me your boat name how many people in your boat and t-shirt sizes by August 3^rd that would be great.

Any questions email me at cnelson@englube.comThanks,

DATE CHANGED

More about the Con Trios Yacht Club Luau Party

Con Trios Yacht Club Luau at Grafton Harbor, July 18th, 2009

We had a great turnout for the Luau on Saturday. Weather was a little on the coolish side so the pool toys, beach balls and water squirters, did not get much use. But, typical Con Trios party, the almost one hundred that filled the harbor with boats made it a fun day. Turned into one giant "Dock Party" on A Dock. DJ Ray played some great tunes directly from his boat poolside! How appropriate is that, we are a boating club and the disk jockey is on a boat! Joe and Jan from Grafton Harbor were wonderful hosts as always. Their staff is the most friendly and helpful you can find anywhere. Scott from Grafton's Landing kept the food going the whole time. Must have been good because there seemed to always be a line at the buffet. Many thanks to all the people that helped set up and tear down. Here are a couple of pics from the day, many more to follow as I get caught up.

Hope to see everyone at Alton Marina for the Alton Getaway on August 15th!

Darryll Weil,

Fleet Captain and webmaster

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

New Boating Products 
   New Gear For Your Boat's Head. A Bidet.............

According to a news story on blogspot.com............ With all of the hubbub about being green these days, new products are constantly being introduced to conserve this or that. And a company by the name of Brondell has come up with a way to conserve toilet paper. A toilet seat that is also a bidet.

The Swash Eco-Seat 250 by Brondell is intended to reduce the amount of toilet paper used, and consequently run through your boat's head by 75%.

The product is installed in place of the current toilet seat, and even has an optional dryer available..................... . .

Click here to read this news story.

Click here to visit the Brondell website.............
 

US Army Corps of Engineers photo

Mississippi River

   Lock and Dam 11

   Closed For Repairs
 

Lock and Dam 11, located at MM 583.00 on the Upper Mississippi River north  of Dubuque, Iowa, will be closed to navigation on Thursday, July 23rd, from 7:00Am until 3:00PM to repair the strut arm on a miter gate.

Click here for more information
 

River Destinations
   Minneapolis, Minnesota
   The Mississippi River Challenge Will Be Held At Fort Snelling This Weekend..

According to a news article from citypages.com................ Paddlers are gearing up for the 2 day Mississippi River Challenge that kicks off on July 25th. This event has been going on since 2004, and was put together to raise appreciation for the Mississippi River, and raise money in order to protect it.

Organized by the Friends of the Mississippi River, paddlers will canoe along the Mississippi River by day, and camp out at Fort Snelling by night.

Food and entertainment will be provided, and even those not paddling the river are invited...............

Click here to read this news article.
Click here to visit the Mississippi River Challenge website.
 

Fort Snelling, Minnesota
Originally known as Fort St. Anthony, it was constructed between 1820, and 1824. Upon the fort's completion in 1825, the name was changed to Fort Snelling, in honor of Colonel Josh Snelling. Colonel Snelling oversaw the regiment that constructed the fort, as well as the construction itself.

Located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, it was a forward military post tasked with protecting the territory from British and Canadian encroachment..............

Source: Wikipedia Encyclopedia. Click here to read more.

R_E_S_P_E_C_T ------      "Respect those tows going up and down the river and use good judgment when you are near them"  

A good reminder for everyone on the river.

Note: The above was the subject and lead-in of an article that Kathy Flippo of  Tow Talkin'  wrote a few years back.  

Boat Safety News
    Raymarine Recalls The Sport Drive Pilot................

In a news release from tradeonlytoday.com................. Raymarine has issued a voluntary recall of their SPX 5 Sport Drive Pilot due to a safety concern on units sold between February and July, 2009.

The issue is that a mechanical clutch may fail, and cause the vessel's steering to lock on one direction.

The products that are being recalled, are the SPX 5 Sport Drive Pilot, and control head, P/N E12206, as well as the SPX 5 Sport Drive Pilot only, P/N E12132. No other products are involved in the recall.................

Click here to read this news release.
 

Boat Gas News
   The National Marine Manufacturer Association Submits Comments on E15

According to a news report from tradeonlytoday.com.............. Nearly 40 pages worth of comments opposing the issuance of a waiver granting permission for 15%r ethanol blended was submitted by the NMMA, to the EPA Monday. This input joins over 30,000 comments submitted by boaters, and marine industry employees.

The NMMA comments bring up the questions of how ethanol affects marine engine performance, durability and emissions output, and with that, the EPA lacks sufficient information to grant the waiver.

The EPA has until December 1, 2009 to allow or deny Growth Energy's waiver petition............

Click here to read this news report.
 

RiverBill's Message Board Has Been Shut Down.......

We had to shut down RiverBill's Message Board for a while.  We had an external attack on an unseen portion of the message board.  The hackers were using RiverBill's to send out large amounts of e-mails that have been reported to the company we rent server space from as "spam with possible malicious content." 

To prevent a lock being placed on our web space RiverBill's Message Board was voluntarily shut down  .......

Boat Equipment Manufacturer News
   Teleflex Sells Off Power Systems Division...............

According to a news article from tradeonlytoday.com................. Teleflex, manufacturer of marine steering systems, has sold it's Power Systems division to Fuel Systems Solutions.

The Power Solutions division manufactures alternative fuel components, and auxiliary heaters, and power systems.

The sale will bring Teleflex cash proceeds of $14.5 million. It is anticipated that the deal will be completed during the fiscal quarter ending on September 27, 2009.

The sale of this business is not expected to have any effect on Teleflex's marine business.................

Click here to read this news article.

Click here to visit the Teleflex website

 

U.S. Coast Guard photograph

Rough Ride

March 24, 2007

HATTERAS, N.C. - The Station Hatteras Inlet 47-foot rescue boat crew assesses the damage after the catamaran Locura and the shrimping boat Tina Rae collided near the Diamond Shoals approximately 12 nautical miles east of Hatteras at about 3 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2009. The Tina Rae sank shortly after the collision.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Habel)

 

Cedar Hill's 10th Anniversary

Washer's Tournament

Next Saturday... July 25th !

Click here for more information

Tuesday

21 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Welcome New Advertiser !

Picture of the Day

Portage Des Sioux Sunset

Click on pic to enlarge

The River Picture of the Day ..... was sent in by Capt'n Bob Miller with the following e-mail.

Bill,

Sunset at Portage Des Sioux, July 19, 2009

from
Bob Miller

RiverBill says.... What a great picture Bob !

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Yesteryear's Pictures of the Day from 2006----- were of some of the folks who hail out of Grafton Harbor on F Dock ( the party dock). 

From left to right....

Mark Kennedy, Bill Moyer, Bev Teuebaugh, Patrick Teuebaugh (standing) and Norma Wickenhauser.

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/20/09
Subject: MM 56.0 ILR FLORENCE HIGHWAY BRIDGE SAFETY ADVISORY
NAVNOTICE # 1814

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0315-09 UM
SAFETY AND ALL SCHEDULED BROADCASTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0291-09 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0315-09 UM
ILLINOIS RIVER

USCG SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ADVISORY: THE RIGHT DESCENDING PROTECTION CELL AT THE FLORENCE HIGHWAY BRIDGE MM 56.0 ILR IS PARTIALLY SUBMERGED AND OFFSTATION. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TRANSITING THE BRIDGE. ANY CONTACT WITH THE BRIDGE OR PROTECTION CELLS SHALL BE REPORTED TO USCG SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMMEDIATELY VIA VHF CH 16 OR BY LAND LINE (314) 269-2332
 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Cedar Hill Resort
Restaurant, Bar, Deck & Tiki Bar
On the Mississippi River in Calhoun County
Dogtown Rd, Batchtown, IL 62006
25 minutes from St. Charles, MO
618-883-4455
www.cedarhillresort.net

Come and join us July 25th for our 10th Anniversary!!! It will be a day
packed with fun. We will be having a Budweiser Washers Tournament so
start practicing now! The tournament will begin at 2pm. There will be
prizes for 1st - 5th place! We will also be having live music. Then once the sun
goes down we will be having fireworks!

Cedar Hill's

  Mr. River Queen Contest... Aug 15th, 2009........... click here

2009 Blessing of the Fleet
 

2009 Winners

Best Decorated Cruiser: .............  Storm Treasure, Royce & Gayle LaMarr

Best Decorated Houseboat: .........."Aquatraz" Dave & Karen Wilmouth

Best Decorated Sailboat:.............. "Insatiable" Harry Stoner

Best Decorated Pontoon: ............  "June" June Polster

Best Decorated Runabout: ............"Summertime" John Spraul

Best Decoarated Upstream Boat:.. "Aquatraz" Dave & Karen Wilmouth

The above re-printed from the Blessing of the Fleet website

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

RiverBill says..... We have a name to go with the "Best Decorated Cruiser now... It's Storm Treasure, out of Harbor Point Marina.  Thanks for the e-mail Gayle.

Hi Bill,

The 415 Sea ray "STORM TREASURE" that won the first place in the cruiser division, belongs to us, Royce and Gayle LaMarr. The back of our boat was covered with a banner that read "LUAU PARTY" so our boat name was not visible. We hail out of Harbor Point Marina.
This was the first year that we participated with this boat and the 1st time we have decorated. We had so much fun, and what a perfect day.
Thanks
Gayle
 

Hog Back.....August 21-23, 2009

Follow the crowd to Quincy for Hogback 2009 August 21st-23rd. This is a trip through 4 locks on the Mississippi to Quincy Illinois. Not for the faint of heart and adults only.

To follow along in a group meet at 8 am Friday August 21st at Cedar Hill. The Tiki bar will be open and Danishes will be provided.

We will stop halfway in Louisiana at the Two Rivers Marina (217-437-2321) for ice and fuel.

Once in Quincy we can dock at Quinssippi Boat Club if you are staying on your boat or Call Art Keller Marina for slips. They have gas and slips. Art Keller Marinas number is 217-228-9227.

We will gather Friday night at Quinssippi Boat Club for a party.
Saturday is the big Beach Party at Hogback Island. Saturday night dinner still needs to be determined. After dinner the Phinn’s are playing downtown Quincy.
Sunday you’re on your own to travel back home at your own speed. Most people get up and head out around 10 or 11am.

If you need a hotel room there is a block of rooms reserved under my name at Quincy City Centre (old Holiday Inn.) The number is 217-222-2666. The rooms are only reserved until July 24th at the rate of $68.00/night.
Please RSVP if you plan to go so I can warn the Marinas and bars along the way. If you could email me your boat name how many people in your boat and t-shirt sizes by August 3rd that would be great.

Any questions email me at cnelson@englube.comThanks,
Corey & Ann Nelson
Just Lookin

 

Con Trios Yacht Club Update

August 4th - 5th

   Missouri Water Patrol's

   Safety Education Class

 

Click here to go to the Missouri Water Patrol website for more info

Grafton Harbor

     National Marina Day... Aug 8th .......

Click here to go to Grafton harbor website

Reader Commentary

 

Hey Bill,

What’s the deal with the river level dropping over the weekend? A lot of folks can’t get their boats on/off their lifts! Can’t the Corps keep the water level consistent? It’s either too high of too low. Also, how about marking all for the new and old hazards that they create?



David S. Young

 

Great Lakes
   Lake Erie
   U.S. Senator George Voinovich Declares War On Invasive Species...

According to a news article from cleveland.com................ U.S. Senator, George Voinovich, R Ohio, is embroiled in a re-enactment of the war of 1812. Only instead of fighting redcoats, he is battling invasive species migrating into Lake Erie.

Voinovich was one of the voices calling for federal funding for the Chicago River Asian carp barriers under the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008.

Now the Senator is going after the invasive hitchhikers lurking in the ballast water of ocean going freighters. His goal is to come up with legislation that will mandate the needed countermeasures, thus preventing invasive species from spreading into the Great Lakes.................

Click here to read this news article.

Riverbill sez thanks to Cap'n Larry Demko for forwarding this article!  

R_E_S_P_E_C_T ------      "Respect those tows going up and down the river and use good judgment when you are near them"  

A good reminder for everyone on the river.

Note: The above was the subject and lead-in of an article that Kathy Flippo of  Tow Talkin'  wrote a few years back.  

Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

Click here for larger MS Word version
 

Illinois River

   More Asian Carp News

Small-Scale Tests Indicate Noisy Bubbles Repel Asian Carp................

According to a news story from wired.com................ An ecologist, Greg Sass, is testing methods to prevent the Asian Carp for invading Lake Michigan

The latest effort involves a high frequency noise injected into a wall of bubbles, which captures and amplifies the noise. Due to the ability of the Asian carp to hear higher frequencies, they are repelled by the sound. Native fish cannot hear this frequency, so they can pass the barrier, unfazed.

The results from testing performed in fish hatcheries is quite remarkable. The Rube Goldberg-esc acoustic fence repels 95% of the invasive species....................

Click here to read this news story. With Illustration.
 

Boat Gas News Update
   Monday Was The End Of Public Comment Period On E15 Waiver.................

In a news report from tradeonlytoday.com............... Monday was the final day for the comment period about the petition sent to the U.S. EPA, calling for a waiver to be granted allowing ethanol blends up to 15%.

The EPA had extended the comment period from May 21, to July 20th in order to allow boaters, and other marine interests to make their voices heard.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association, NMMA, and other marine industry concerns are calling for a scientific look at how higher levels will affect boats and engines.

A pro-ethanol lobby group, Growth Energy, had requested the waiver...............

Click here to read this news report.
 

Boat Equipment Manufacturer News
   Teleflex Sells Off Power Systems Division...............

According to a news article from tradeonlytoday.com................. Teleflex, manufacturer of marine steering systems, has sold it's Power Systems division to Fuel Systems Solutions.

The Power Solutions division manufactures alternative fuel components, and auxiliary heaters, and power systems.

The sale will bring Teleflex cash proceeds of $14.5 million. It is anticipated that the deal will be completed during the fiscal quarter ending on September 27, 2009.

The sale of this business is not expected to have any effect on Teleflex's marine business.................

Click here to read this news article.

Click here to visit the Teleflex website

 

U.S. Coast Guard photograph

Rough Ride

March 24, 2007

T47 FOOT MLB

Cape Disappointment, Wash. (March 24, 2007)--Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff takes a boat ride on a Coast Guard 47- foot motor lifeboat.

Dept of Homeland Security photo by Barry Bahler

RiverBill says... Wow.. What a ride that was for the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Monday

20 July  2009

 Over 2.4 Million Visitors Strong !

Welcome New Advertiser !

Picture of the Day

52nd Annual

Blessing of the Fleet

Click on pic to enlarge

The River Picture of the Day ..... is of another boat in Saturday's Blessing of the Fleet Parade sent to us by Linda Bowers. 

RiverBill says..... More of Blessing of the Fleet pictures all week... Watch for your boat..  Send us your pictures !

Yesteryear's Picture of the Day

Gabie entertaining the crowd at the Rotten Apple Ciderhouse

Gabie and his classic Citron

Yesteryear's Pictures of the Day from 2007.......  were of of Gabie McGarrah entertaining the customers at the Rotten Apple in Grafton, IL. He is a "One Man band".... who sings all types of songs with a splash of humor added in here and there.   Make sure you catch him next time he plays there.

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 7/17/09
Subject: Apex Oil Lights (LLNR 16450) MM 180.9 UMR are extinguished
NAVNOTICE # 1813

THE APEX OIL LIGHTS (LLNR 16450) THAT MARK THE DOCK AT MM 180.9 UMR
RDB ARE EXTINGUISHED. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION.
 

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos