Originally Posted by: marinettejoe 
[size=8][color=darkred]Admins cannot approve users unless you fill out the BOAT INFO in your profile. Be detailed. If you don't own a boat, just add information about why you are here (e.g. NOME user).
You're probably wondering why our site founder and superuser made the post referred to above. It grew out of suggestions made earlier this year when someone crippled the ability of people to use the site and got the data base corrupted. At least we think they did. For months, we deputy admins each day faced multiple attempted site sign ons from blatantly nefarious people. Perhaps, an automated attack. Main purpose of their attempted entry was to post bogus links on the site, including some at virus-laden sites. We were frankly growing weary of having to vet the phonies.
As co-deputy admin Doc Snow and I combed thru these demands for admittance it was pretty obvious from clues they left that were not true boaters. That's why, after he restored the site, our colleague asked for suggestions on how to keep the bad guys away. And he added the"captcha featured forcing applicant to read almost hidden characters. Bots can't do that.
Several people offered the idea that everyone should have to go to their profile and enter some info about their boat, something scammers aren't going to take time to do with their automated routines. Site founder Joe Howard agrees with that proposal.
So, click on MY PROFILE (top left of the log in page)...then on the left side click on EDIT PROFILE. You will be taken to the form where you can fill in BOAT INFO. Save it and you're done...and by doing so you will make the site a safer place. We hope.
This request applies to site veterans as well as the newest noobies.
Joel Albert, Potomac MD
"Charlie B" - 1988 32' FBS
Twin 318's/FWC/16x15 nibral props
docked Deale, MD
