As we head into summer, boating season in Southwest Florida is in full swing and many of us are excited to hit the water. However, it’s important to keep in mind certain concerns and take necessary safety measures before embarking on your boating adventure. Read more “Get Set for Summer on the Water!”
Hurricane Boat Prep 101
As we move past Summer’s halfway point, spaghetti plots and CAT ratings become a regular part of boater’s vocabularies. The height of hurricane season is fast approaching, and as with all things boating, preparedness is key. Read more “Hurricane Boat Prep 101”
It’s getting to be that time of year again when Southwest Florida boaters can expect daily afternoon storms to roll through from mid-June to late August. In fact, Florida sees upwards of 100 thunderstorm days each year, and while a brief storm on land isn’t a problem, it can quickly become a life-threatening situation on the water.
In 2019, the Coast Guard counted 4,168 boat accidents that involved 613 deaths, 2,559 injuries and approximately $55,000,000 in property damage as a result of recreational boating accidents. Operator inexperience is one of the primary contributing factors in accidents. No matter where you’re cruising in SWFL, these boating safety reminders will help you avoid drama, danger, and disaster on the water.
Read more “SWFL Boater’s Survival Guide: Safety Tips”
For those born and raised, or just always on the water, bringing the entire family on the boat is second nature. However, even the most experienced boating families need to practice safe habits on the water. Many of these safety tips go without saying, but it’s always beneficial to have a refresher.
In many parts of the country, summer boating safety tips revolve around the increased number of boats and activity on the water. In Florida, we experience that issue between Thanksgiving and Easter during what we affectionately refer to as ‘season’. However, summer boating in Florida does come with its own set of seasonal challenges, which are either heat or weather-related. Let’s start with weather…
Read more “Summer Boating Safety: Staying calm, cool and hydrated”
As boaters in Southwest Florida, we need to keep in mind the challenges and hazards of fueling our vessels. Bigger boats often have quite large fuel tanks—much larger than cars—meaning where there’s more fuel, there’s more to cause problems if you’re not careful. Dock-based gas nozzles often pump fuel faster than those at automobile service stations. And, gasoline fumes are extremely flammable. In fact, most fires and/or explosions on boats happen during (or immediately after) fueling—so please take as much care as possible when at the pump.
Read more “Where and how to fuel up: Gauging your responsibility and options.”