Lighted Boat Parade

2021 Lighted Boat Parade

Winter Nights, Magical Lights

Date:  Saturday December 4, 2021

Participation:  Open to any vessel who registers with BYC online or at the clubhouse prior to Friday Dec 3.  There is no fee required to participate.

Safety:  Each skipper is responsible for the safety of his vessel and crew and should base his decision to participate on the weather conditions at the time of the parade. Boats withdrawing from the parade should notify the BYC Fleet Captain. If conditions are deemed to be too severe for the overall safety of the event, an announcement will be made on VHF channel 72 by 5:30 p.m.

Registration:  Please complete the registration form and obtain your boat number card at the BYC lounge between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m day of parade. You must have a number to be eligible for the awards.

Number Cards:  Display your card on the STARBOARD side of your boat, clearly visible as you will be rounding the review boat to starboard. Please return your numbers to the BYC immediately following the parade on Saturday.

Time:  Boats away at 1730 (5:30) on Saturday. All boats will rendezvous near the Bellingham Cruise terminal at 1800 (6:00) on Saturday for the parade start.

Course:  See attached chart.  We will make two passes in front of Boulevard Park and the judges’ boat (Mystic Eagle, a Grand Banks). You must pass the judges’ boat to starboard. PLEASE ANNOUNCE YOUR NUMBER ALOUD AS YOU PASS THE JUDGES’ BOAT, Luna a Nordic Tug 44.

Order of March:  Lead boat will be announced later, with all others falling in behind and Jim Haines bringing up the rear.

Communications:  Channel 72 VHF will be used and monitored during the event.

Judging Criteria:  Holiday Spirit, Creativity and Technique/Visibility. All decisions of the judges are final.

Awards:  The following categories will be given awards:  Lighted Boat of the Year, Best of Parade, Novice Grand Prize and Community Award. All participants will receive a participation plaque at registration.

Party and Awards:  All participants are welcome to attend our Soup Kitchen in the BYC lounge on Saturday immediately following the parade. The BYC lounge will be open and there will be a free soup. Awards will be announced after the meal.