Boating season has hit full throttle in Sacramento, yet nearly a quarter of the slips at the city's public marina sit empty. That's unusual for the 475-slip Sacramento Marina, which boasted a waiting list of 300 just three years ago. The problem may be about to get worse after rate increases took effect at the marina Thursday. Slip occupancy levels change throughout the year, with the highest levels during boating season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In fiscal year 2010/2011, the marina — the largest in the city — is expected to see an average annual occupancy rate of no more than 65 percent. The down economy is largely to blame, with an unfortunately timed renovation playing a role in

The summer edition of the Sacramento Fire Department's Community Newsletter discusses the dangers of swimming in the river. It mentions that the river bottoms can be uneven and have steep drop-offs and the currents are strong, so a life vest should be worn at all times. Under the City and County of Sacramento ordinances, it is against the law for a child under the age of 13 to enter public waters without a life vest. Parents or guardians who do not put life vests on their children can be fined up to $500 and cited for a misdemeanor.  If you don't have a life vest on hand, there are plenty of places to borrow one. The following fire stations have life vests for the public to borrow: FI

Can you imagine sitting at a stop light with the top down, beautiful sunshine pouring in and having 100 cars exhaust pipes pointed directly at you only a few feet away? Seem a little dangerous, it would be. This is exactly the result you get in and around an idling boat. Boats do not have catalytic converters and therefore deadly levels of carbon monoxide (CO) from the boat engine are sent out via the boats exhaust. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that cannot be seen. CO is extremely harmful to humans because it limits the ability of blood to carry oxygen. Boat manufacturers have kept the issue quiet despite paying out settlements in wrongful death lawsuits. California has ad

"Drownings in Sacramento have become a problem. They occur way too much and it is very frustrating for us, because it seems like there is not much more we can do to help prevent them" said Capt. Doucette, Public Information Officer for the Sacramento Fire Department in an article a few weeks ago. see article "More than one in four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another four received emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries" says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDCR Site For myself, as a former lifeguard, paramedic and firefighter, nothing challenges your professionalism more than getting the cal