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 THE MONROE HARBOR TENDER SERVICE
Presents the
MONROE HARBOR BOATER'S GUIDE
PURPOSE:
We of the Monroe Tender service, in an effort to improve the speed in
which you are delivered to your boat, or picked up, want to offer the
following suggestions which we hope will improve our efficiency and decrease
your delays.
We need your help and cooperation in these matters to achieve our common
goal of giving you more time on the water on YOUR boat.
The following list of procedures is based on rules and systems currently
in effect in the harbor. We will consider any additional suggestions you,
our customers, may offer that will help us improve the Monroe Tender Service.
| A. |
Every passenger, both adult and child aged 2 or older,
is required to have a valid season pass or a ticket in order to board
the Tender in EITHER direction. |
| B. |
Tickets should be purchased at the Tender Office prior
to boarding the Tender. Remember, the Captains carry no funds to make
change. |
| C. |
When boarding, please have your pass ready and show
it to the Captain with the code side visible. |
| D. |
When boarding with larger groups or with children,
please let one person in your group handle all tickets or passes and
show or give them to the Captain at one time. |
DESTINATIONS/CAPACITY
| A. |
The Tender Service will attempt to keep a sufficient
number of boats and Captains available to maintain an efficient level
of service. Although each boat is slightly different, boat capacity
is approximately 30 passengers per large boat and 24 passengers per
small boat. For your safety, U.S. Coast Guard rules do not allow us
to exceed the rated capacity of our boats. |
| B. |
Since we only carry three child-sized flotation devices
per boat, you can assist us by having your children wear their own
PFD's. That way, we will not need to disallow family groups due to
lack of flotation's devices. |
| C. |
Once you are on board, your Captain will ask for your
destination. Please do not immediately yell or call out your mooring
number. Let the Captain look at you and make eye contact. Speak clearly,
and give the captain a chance to make note of your destination. |
| D. |
If you have guests coming, please make sure they know
your mooring number and location, including the side of the harbor,
the alpha code and the mooring number (e.g., "NORTH ECHO 36" or "SOUTH
MIKE 32"). |
| E. |
Captains will attempt to drive the shortest, most
efficient drop-off course from boat to boat. Please remember that
the course is affected by the wind direction and the turn radius of
the Tender. Be advised that usually the Captain will attempt to complete
the run as far away from base as possible. This increases his range
on the pick-up run, which helps us service the greatest number of
boaters. |
| F. |
On pick-ups, again Captains will attempt to steer
the most efficient course from boat to boat. Simultaneously, we need
to monitor the radio dispatches and add pick-ups to the run so as
to pick up as many boaters as possible. When we are busy, the dispatcher
gives the Captain a list as called in. The Captain will then attempt
to pick up people in the order in which they called while following
the shortest route toward base. |
| G. |
Please!! Do not call for a pick-up until you are ready
to leave. There may be a boat very close to you that can stop to get
you. However, if you are not prepared to leave, the Captain cannot
wait more that a few seconds, especially when we are busy. |
| H. |
Remember, race days, holidays, 4:00 P.M. Saturdays
and Sundays, and weekend mornings are all subject to extra heavy traffic
just like rush hour traffic. Be prepared to wait longer at these times
or attempt to travel in different time frames. |
| I. |
In heavy weather or during very busy periods you may
find it easier and more convenient to off-load large amounts of baggage,
children and older folks on shore at the touch-and-go. Then just bring
one crew member back out to help hang up your boat. This can prove
to be safer and faster. |
| J. |
Remember, gasoline, outboard motors, propane tanks
and any other flammable or dangerous materials are strictly prohibited
on Tenders. Also, during extremely busy periods the Captain may refuse
large amounts of supplies in favor of passengers. |
RADIO USE & ETIQUETTE
| A. |
Make sure your radio is operating properly. One of
the Tender Service's biggest problems is not being able to understand
your transmission. Obviously a proper radio is also a very necessary
safety device. Speak slowly and clearly. |
| B. |
Please make your call is simple: e.g., "Monroe Tender,
this is NORTH ALPHA 40. We need pick-up for 2 people. Thank you. Over."
Make sure you clear your mike and wait for the acknowledgement. |
| C. |
Before transmitting, monitor the channel to make sure
it is clear so you don't "walk over" another transmission. |
| D. |
Always use your radio on LOW power when in the harbor. |
| E. |
The Monroe Tender Service monitors channel 68. This
is an extremely busy channel, so please limit your calls to a few
seconds. We sometimes hear boats out on the lake broadcasting on high
power for 15-30 minutes at time. This is improper radio etiquette
and causes delays in our service. |
GENERAL
| A. |
Assist your fellow boaters with packages and gear. |
| B. |
Buy your ice tickets in advance at the Tender Service
office ($2.00 each), and check that the Captain is carrying ice on
board. |
| C. |
When you call for a pick-up after dark, please turn
on your masthead light to help us find your location. Conversely,
leave your running lights and mast lights off when you are on your
mooring so we do not come to your boat thinking you need a ride. If
you cannot turn your masthead light on, flag us down with a flashlight.
Be careful not to shine a light directly at our Captains because it
ruins their night vision. |
| D. |
In addition to the main pick-up spot at the Tender
Service office, Boaters can be picked up or dropped off at the Columbia
Yacht Club. |
| E. |
Please observe sensible safety precautions while on
the Tender. Keep your arms inside the boat, do not stand up in the
bow, and do not all crowd to one side of the boat, especially when
docking. Do not disembark at the landing until the Captain indicates
that the boat is properly docked. Please do not attempt to assist
the Captain by holding on to the objective boat unless specifically
requested to do so. Please watch your children and your pets. |
| F. |
Well-behaved pets are welcome on the Tender Boats.
Pets ride FREE. |
| G. |
Please check your belonging when you disembark and
make sure you remove your trash. There are dumpsters located in the
park a short distance from the dock. |
| H. |
Please check your belongings when you disembark and
make sure you remove your trash. There are dumpsters located in the
park a short distance from the dock. |
| I. |
During special events, fireworks, swim meets, etc.,
the Coast Guard or the Park District may limit the scope and hours
of our operations. NOTE: During special events the Tender Service
may opt to pick up passengers by light signals only, instead of by
radio calls. Check the notice board for information pertaining to
these events. |
| J. |
Chicago Park District Rules and Ordinances prohibit
swimming, recreational diving, water skiing or windsurfing in the
Chicago harbors. If you have divers down for repairs in the vicinity
of your boat, please post someone on deck on watch. Please radio and
alert to the Tender Service giving your mooring number. |
| K. |
The Tender Service welcomes your suggestions and input.
Please feel free to offer suggestions or discuss any problems with
the Captains or with the Tender Service management. Forms on which
you can register compliments or complaints are available at the Tender
Service office. Management does not encourage tipping, but you can
reward our personnel by submitting a Customer Satisfaction Form, also
available at the Tender Service office. |
The Captains, Dispatchers and everyone else connected
with
THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT,
WESTREC MARINAS,
and the
MONROE TENDER SERVICE
Look forward to serving you this season!
We want you to share in our enjoyment of the fabulous Chicago lakefront
and make your visits here one of the best boating experiences you will
have.
All Monroe Tender Service Captains have completed extensive training,
and have been tested and licensed by the United States Coast Guard.
PHONETIC ALPHABET
| A-Alpha |
J-Juliet |
S-Sierra |
| B-Bravo |
K-Kilo |
T-Tango |
| C-Charlie |
L-Lima |
U-Uniform |
| D-Delta |
M-Mike |
V-Victor |
| E-Echo |
N-November |
W-Whiskey |
| F-Foxtrot |
O-Oscar |
X-Xray |
| G-Golf |
P-Papa |
Y-Yankee |
| H-Hotel |
Q-Quebec |
Z-Zulu |
| I-India |
R-Romeo |
|
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