The Harbor Column:

Ahoy.

The boating season officially begins on this Memorial Day weekend — even for those of us in Southern California who can enjoy the benefits of boating year round. Across the nation, many yacht clubs will host opening day events to celebrate the end of winter when boaters can finally get back on the water, but our yacht clubs have the luxury of picking virtually any day to kick off summer, except the weekend of the Newport to Ensenada race.

This extended holiday weekend is expected to be perfect for outdoor activities, and Mother Nature will be kind to those venturing out to the high seas too. The ocean buoy reports are showing small swells up the coast from San Diego to the Bering Sea, and this is good news as many boaters will be on the water for the first time since the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. We will have morning fog, and the rules state that you must have your vessel under control.

Also, you must be able to change course or stop to avoid a collision — so take it easy on the accelerator out there.

All weekend you should think about safety, as today concludes National Safe Boating Week, which promotes boater safety and awareness each year the week before Memorial Day weekend. This year's theme was "Be a Survivor, Wear It!" The campaign refers to the importance of wearing a lifejacket. "Personal flotation device" is a fancy way of saying "lifejacket." Often you'll hear it referred to as a PFD. Common sense dictates that nonswimmers should always wear their lifejackets when aboard vessels where one may be prone to fall in the water, and the newer jackets are much more comfortable than older models.

The tip of the week is to remember that Newport Harbor is a no-discharge harbor, which means do not pump your head overboard or throw anything in the water with the exception of throwing a ring buoy to someone who has fallen overboard.

Boaters and landlubbers, especially from the inland areas, are more aware of how our actions run through the storm drains to affect the harbor.

Do not overlook checking your bilge water for any signs of oil or fuel that could be accidentally pumped into the harbor.

Tune in to "Capt. Mike Whitehead's Boathouse Radio Show" from noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays on KLAA-AM (830).

Safe voyages.