FRIENDSHIP CRUISE
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND *** GREEN RIVER TO MOAB, UTAH
SPRING 2008 NEWSLETTER
GOOD NEWS
The
46th Annual Friendship Cruise gets underway this Memorial Day
week-end, and promises to be
another
great event for the recreational boaters. The 184 mile river run (from the town
of Green River,
Utah
down the Green River to the confluence with the Colorado River to Moab, Utah)
is a boating experience
unequaled
in the United States.
Registration
takes place at the Green River firehouse on May 23th and May 24th.
Boats
will be launched all day
Friday,
May 23th and until noon on Saturday the 24th at the Green
River State Park.
NO
EARLY REGISTRATION PLEASE!!!
$150.00 REGISTRATION FEE COVERS:
1: Launch and docking assistance at the
Green River State Park and at Moab boat dock.
2: Transferring your vehicle and the trailer
from Green River to Moab, with secure, guarded storage at both ends.
3: Towing or other rescue service in case of
trouble with your boat on the river.
4: Moving your vehicle and trailer to
Mineral or MGM Bottom take-out points if your boat is disabled for the
remainder of the trip. (Mineral Canyon is a
emergency take-out only.)
5: Radio communications for emergency
messages at the vital points along the two rivers.
Communications
Communication
services for the information and emergencies again will be provided by a very
dedicated and polished group of Amateur (HAM) Radio operators. The same group
has co-operated with the Cruise officials for many years, and has perfected a
very efficient radio network. The Individuals involved provide thousands of
dollars worth of equipment, donate hundreds of hours of their time, and do it
all as a public service to help make the Friendship Cruise experience more
pleasant!
REFUELING STOP
Gasoline
sales depots will be in operation at Mineral Canyon (nearly 70 miles down river
from the launch site) from Friday afternoon until Saturday night, and then at
MGM Bottom (about 20 miles below Moab) on Sunday and Monday till noon. The
greatest distance between fuel depots is almost 100 miles, so boaters must be
equipped to travel at least that distance without refueling.
VEHICLES AND TRAILERS
While Cruise participants enjoy boating through
Utah’s astonishing Canyon Country, drivers we be moving vehicles and trailers
from Green River to Moab. Don’t forget that your vehicle must be roadworthy and
fueled for the 52 mile trip ! The cost of driving you rig is included in the
registration fee, but needed fuel, repairs or towing expenses will be your
responsibility. Make certain that your trailer is secured for high-way travel
!!!
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
One of the great attraction of the Friendship Cruise
is that it allows easy access to and through some of the most awe inspiring wilderness
in the United States. Many people will travel the river in just a few days, and
that means that everyone must take special effort to ensure that this
extraordinary landscape is as nearly perfect after the Cruise as it was before
!
SANITATION
PORTABLE TOILETS ARE MANDATORY, YOU WILL NOT BE
ALLOWED ON THE RIVER WITHOUT A PORTABLE TOILET. They are to be suitable for liquid and solid human waste. Human
wastes, trash and garbage must be retained on the boat and properly disposed of
after leaving the river at Moab. There are several locations in Moab for
disposing human waste.
FIRE PANS
Fire pans are REQUIRED, If you are going to build a
campfire, It must be a metal pan or tray that will contain the ashes and coals.
Driftwood may be used as fuel, but many boaters find it more convenient to
bring along charcoal or other fuel.
NO PETS
THIS IS A PARK REGULATION !!!
RESCUE
Rescue services are provided ONLY during the
official days of the cruise, but we’ve never left a boat on the river yet !.
Remember, however, that it is always a good idea to carry an EXTRA PROP, SHEAR
PINS, WATER PUMP PARTS, ETC.. If you start the trip hoping some piece of
equipment will make it for “one more outing”, it probably won’t !!!
In the event of a breakdown, relax and enjoy
yourself; there’s no better place in the world to spend a little extra time !
Tie up to the bank in a clearly visible location, hang a life jacket outside
the boat where it can be seen by passing boats and enjoy the scenery. A rescue
boat will come along in a while and provide aid.
TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE TRIP
Allow as much time as you possibly can for your
trip. River boating in this beautiful country is a lot like some other
activities: the longer you take to do it the more enjoyable it is for everyone
involved. There are even books to help you to do it better. River guide books
will be available at registration. A guide book helps you locate points of
special interest along the rivers, provides many place names, notes some river
history and also contains a map of the entire route you will follow.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are plenty of fine motels in Green River and
Moab. Memorial Day Weekend is a very busy time here, however, advanced
reservations are STRONGLY recommended. There are also commercial campgrounds,
as well as those in the State and
National Parks, RESERVATIONS are very advisable at those facilities too !!!
TO MAKE YOUR TRIP COMFORTABLE, BE SURE TO INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING:
REQUIRED ITEMS: FOR
COMFORT, ETC.
PORTA-POTTY CAMERA / FILM
FIRE PAN BED ROLLS
BOAT HORN OR
WHISTLE INSECT REPELLENT
LIFE JACKETS CHANGE OF CLOTHES
FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXTRA SNEAKERS
THROWABLE FLOATION
DEVICE SUN HAT
FOOD FOR THE DAYS
YOUR STAYING SWIM SUIT
SUN SCREEN
Comments or Questions: