About Red Right Returning

I believe that the privatization of non-emergency marine response has been a positive phenomenon, and this website is one way for me to be an advocate for that principal.

“Red Right Returning” is a mnemonic that has been used for many years by mariners as a way to remember how to navigate through a channel marked with buoys. When one is returning from sea, the red buoys should be on the right of your vessel….red-right-returning. When I contemplated what to name my blog, I chose a phrase that my audience has already memorized.

The Red Right Returning blog focuses on a specific topic: the marine towing, assistance and salvage industry for the recreational boater. This industry is dominated by two brand name national membership networks: Boat/US and SeaTow. What I typically write about are subjects that affect the small business owners who run the local affiliates and franchises that provide the actual service to members of those networks, rather than issues that affect boating public at large. Of course, the topic of marine assistance can be of interest to recreational boater, because they are the ultimate consumers of our industry; but I don’t necessarily write for them.

As it says on the Home page, the opinions and statements contained on Red Right Returning are mine alone. This site is not affiliated with any national membership organization, nor do they support or influence the editorial content.

One disclaimer: I am a subcontractor to Safe Sea, running their Block Island Station every summer. Safe Sea is a privately owned towing and salvage company, and they also have a contract to provide service to Boat/US members in Rhode Island waters.

A note about comments. Feel free to leave your comments on the blog posts as you see fit. I have a loose policy not to publish comments. My attitude is that if you have something to say, get your own blog. However, I do recognize that sometimes a comment will offer some enlightenment to my otherwise one-sided conversation, so every once in a while I will publish a comment. If you have something to say and absolutely don’t want it published here, send your comments by email and mention that you don’t want to be quoted here. Otherwise, use the comment box and take your chances.

Red Right Returning is published using the WordPress platform, using the amazing Thesis theme that allows me to customize my pages and layout. If you are ready to move from the confines of a ‘blog only’ site like Blogger, you are ready to join the WordPress revolution. Thesis Gallery Showcase — See killer customizations from around the Thesis community!

Photo credit: the main header photo you see on all the pages was graciously given to me by Max Brodsky, two time Ice Bagging champion of the Block Island Boat Basin Dockboy Olympics. The photo shows a boat entering the Great Salt Pond of Block Island. I used PaintShop Pro to remove the ugly light tower at the end of the jetty, and some other distractions on the horizon – but the sunset colors and the lights remain un-retouched.