Letters/Online Comments

Re: Boaters Beware: “See a blow, go slow!” (Nov. 3-16 issue)   Help NOAA Track Whales Thank you so much for asking boaters to keep an eye out for whales and to transit slowly. Our work at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary also includes asking boaters to watch for whales. NOAA is asking for the public’s help in tracking whales. If you see whales, please record the date and location, the number of whales, the species (if known) and a description of the animals and report sightings through WhaleAlert, a free application available at westcoast.whalealert.org. Aubrie Fowler, NOAA   Re: NMMA: Federal tax reform provides “wins” for marine industry” (Dec. 29-Jan.11 issue)   Where’s the cap? What can be done to convince California to put a cap on sales tax on boats so that state collects some tax rather than most large boat purchases going out of state to pay nothing? Boats are highly overtaxed; both sales tax on purchase and annual property tax is just like a home. Florida has an $18,000 cap, which collects quite a lot of tax. California always seems to address its fiscal mismanagement by further increasing the already high tax rates. As more companies and taxpayers move out of the state...