THE HARBOR COLUMN:

As National Safe Boating Week concludes, another national event is just starting for boaters and anglers.

Grab your boat keys and take someone boating or fishing for the eighth annual National Fishing and Boating Week from Sunday to June 8.

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation oversees this event with the idea that those enjoying the watery outdoors should introduce someone new to boating or fishing, or both.

This national event has activities including fishing derbies, demonstrations, regattas and much more. Boaters and anglers are encouraged to invite someone new on their next boating cruise or fishing adventure. You can find local events at www.takemefishing.org.

The weeklong event will also coincide with California’s free fishing day June 7. Every year, the California Department of Fish and Game offers two free fishing days when you can fish without having to buy a sport fishing license (June 7 and Sept. 27).

What a great opportunity to help introduce someone to fishing. I am surprised many people do not know they can buy a one- or two-day sport fishing license. You can find information at www.dfg.ca.gov.

Tip of the week is that hurricane season starts Sunday. Boaters traveling south of the border will notice an increase in their vessels’ insurance rates this time of year.

Many boaters are smart to avoid hurricane-prone areas such as Mexico and Florida, and now is the time of the year when many cruisers sail to the northern boating playgrounds.

We are lucky with our boats in Newport Harbor because the ocean’s temperature is not warm enough to support hurricanes at our latitude.

However, we do see big swells and muggy, humid weather generated by hurricanes and storms from the Atlantic.

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center is predicting near normal or above normal hurricane season with eight to 10 hurricanes, half of which are expected to be Category 3 or higher.

There are many boats from Newport Harbor that cruise to Mexican ports farther south than Ensenada, and those boat owners should take notice of the predictions.

Remember to tune in Saturdays at 11 a.m. to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” broadcasting from our studios inside Angel Stadium on KLAA-AM (830) to Southern California.

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to [email protected] or go to www.boathousetv.com.