[Gadagirl]

My father passed away in February and my mother would like to spread some of his ashes in the Chesapeake. She would like something preferably out of Baltimore, due to the fact that she resides in NJ, shorter car trip, she's 85. I'm thinking physically she could handle a power boat or a catamaran on a very calm day. Could any one offer up a service that might oblige? They spent 20 years in their Bristol 35' cruising the Chesapeake, Delaware and coastal NJ waters.

Thanks in advance

 

[zeehag]

sad to hear your dad died.
celebrate his life amiga.
i have some of my brother's ashes i will keep in my boat to spread in places he would like.
if mom can do a sailboat with you then do it that way. make momma happy.. her choice.
luv ye gal.
♥♡

 

[travlin-easy]

When do you wish to do this? Right now, most of the boats in the marina where I'm are still on the hard and probably won't go in the water till early May.

If your mom is in reasonably good physical condition and able to board a boat by stepping down a few steps, then I know of a couple guys that may offer to do this at no charge.

Let me know,

Gary

 

[Ajax_MD]

Unfortunately, it is illegal to spread cremains within the confines of the Chesapeake Bay:

http://dhmh.maryland.gov/bom/pdf/cremated_remains.pdf

and here: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=150073561755617&story_fbid=566260590136910

Specifically, read the part on distance from shore and water depth. Nowhere in the Chesapeake, is the water deep enough to comply with these requirements.

I recommend doing it on the Atlantic shore, in the open ocean.

 

[Minnewaska]

Unfortunately, it is illegal to spread cremains within the confines of the Chesapeake Bay:

http://dhmh.maryland.gov/bom/pdf/cremated_remains.pdf
......

If ever there was an argument for the government to butt the hell out of our lives.

The issue seems to be the potential emotional experience of others identifying fragments. The 3 miles offshore rule is simply the limit of the State's right to regulate. I have no problem with telling people not to do this off their dock, next to my house. But, not in the middle of Chessy, because it isn't deep enough? Give me a break.

I'm a rule follower by nature. Duty, honor, etc. Although, I will fight to change a rule. In this case, if it was meaningful to the OP, I would make an exception and do it anyway.

 

[Ajax_MD]

To borrow a quote from a TV show: "That's what governments are for, to get in a man's way."

I don't really care if Gadagirl obeys the law or not. I was simply making her aware of it.

 

[travlin-easy]

Ironically, those ashes would likely be the cleanest thing that entered Chesapeake Bay in 50 years - they're completely sterile.

I sincerely believe the reason that Maryland does not allow the ashes to be dumped has nothing to do with environmental issues. The law was likely put in place by a delegate or senator that has some affiliation with the funeral industry. The funereal industry is, IMO, the biggest ripoff in the nation. They take advantage of a person's grief, then stick their hand in your wallet to grab as much as possible for their services, which can be insanely high. The cost to dig a hole with a post hole digger at the cemetery where we have lots is $1,200. The process takes less than 5 minutes, but that's not the worst part about this. They insist that the ashes, by state law, are interned in a special, concrete vault, which resembles a length of concrete pipe with caps molded on each end. This sells for about $800.00 at the cemetery. Of course, you wouldn't put those ashes in anything other than a $2,000 vessel, which fits neatly into the vault. Then, there are the services, which go for about $1,000 per 2 hour session. Of course, they will also try to sell you space in a mausoleum, which goes for about $2,000, plus an annual maintenance fee. Yep, gotta maintain those mausoleums - you know how they tend to fall apart when not properly maintained.

If my boat were in the water, and her mother was able to safely board the boat, I would do this in a heartbeat. I seriously doubt that anyone from the Maryland Natural Resources Police would be out there to cite me for the offense. Unfortunately, the boat is on the hard, and I'm a couple weeks from seeing a neurosurgeon to determine how to fix my ailing back.

I'm in the process of working out a deal with the University of Maryland School Of Medicine to pick up my dead arse when I kick the bucket, have some med students learn a bit of anatomy using my carcass, then send it home to my wife, cremated, in a box after a year. I told my wife to take those ashes and dump em on the flower beds, then cover them with mulch.

All the best,

Gary

 

[Sunphish]

It might be very difficult for the Maryland authorities to collect physical evidence of your "crime".