THE HARBOR COLUMN:Boaters have many options on July 4

Ahoy.

One of the busiest times of the year in Newport Harbor is the Fourth of July, with thousands of boats on the water.

Being in a sinking boat off the coast in the evening on the Fourth would not be a good time to signal for help. Every time you shot off a flare, the crowds would cheer.

However, you can start your festivities with the annual American Legion’s Fourth of July Old Glory Boat Parade. This year’s theme is “Patriots of Liberty,” with Colonel Lewis L. Miller as the grand marshall.

The boat parade begins at 1 p.m. and the lead boat is a Newport Harbor patrol fireboat shooting out a huge stream of water. The brightly decorated boats then follow the fireboat throughout the harbor as spectators cheer.

There is no charge to enter the parade with your boat, but fill out a registration form at www.alyc291.com or call (949) 673-5070.

After dark, boaters can watch the Newport Dunes annual fireworks extravaganza, which starts at 9 p.m. and usually lasts for just under half an hour. My favorite spot to watch from a boat is in the large turning by the anchorage area.

However, some boaters want to venture closer to the action. I will caution all boaters entering the Back Bay after dark that you must follow the unlit channel markers or risk running aground.

Also, boaters must know the tide levels for clearance under the Coast Highway bridge.

I find it uncanny that where boaters must stay in-between the channel markers is the only area in the harbor where they are unlit.

The tip of the week is to sail by soon-to-be-dismantled Pride of Newport, which is the most famous faux Riverboat in Newport Harbor. The floating structure was originally built as the Reuben E. Lee restaurant and it quickly became a landmark in the harbor.

Every Saturday, tune in to the No. 1 boating radio talk show in the nation, “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show,” from noon to 1 p.m. on KLAA 830 AM.

Safe voyages.