A Boater’s Guide to Handling Oil and Fuel Spills

With the start of the summer season, we hope you are enjoying time on the water. With that in mind, we have created a Gulf-wide one-page guide on how to prepare for and respond to an accidental oil or fuel spill on your own vessel. This fact sheet—printed on waterproof paper for on-board storing—will tell you what products to have in place to prevent and/or contain leaking oil and which authorities to call for help in every Gulf state.

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Posted by Scott Q Blog

Enjoy a Boating Staycation

Some of the country’s best boating is right in our backyard.

We occasionally hear boaters racking their brains over where to go for a fun, boating- related vacation or long weekend. When you stop to consider that thousands of people vacation or relocate to Southwest Florida each year specifically for the vast boating opportunities, you certainly should include our home waters among your options.

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Posted by Scott Q Blog

SWFMIA’S COMMENT ON MANATEE REGULATIONS

Manatee deaths related to watercraft reached a record 104 in 2016, causing some to push for additional regulation.

The Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association has put together a few facts and comments and a graph that puts some perspective on the state of the manatee population in Florida.  Special thanks to Bob Atkins, President of Citizens for Florida’s Waterways, and a designated Boating Public member of Governor Scott’s Boating Advisory Council for providing much of the data and commentary.

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Posted by Scott Q Blog

Cold Snaps Have You Landlocked? Here’s a few things you can do in the meantime.

There are few things that keep avid boaters off the water, but strong, chilly winds during a Floridian “winter” can be one of them. If you’ve got an itch to get on the water but the weather isn’t agreeing, check out the boating and fishing related activities listed here to hold you over.

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Posted by Scott Q Blog

‘Tis the Season… To Buy a Boat

A boat show goers guide to doing it right.

Most boaters agree the best time to buy a boat is during the winter boat show season. They also agree that boat shows are great opportunities to take advantage of manufacturers’ incentives on new boats—as most manufacturers run promotions to correspond with winter boat show season. Even if you aren’t in the market to buy a boat yet, boat shows make a great family day to just have fun and take it all in.

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Posted by Scott Q Blog

Summer Boating Safety: Staying calm, cool and hydrated

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…

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Posted by Scott Q Blog

Fine tuning your VHF radio know how

Fine tuning your VHF radio know how

The VHF radio is still the communication device of choice for a boater. It is the standard and, as it is universally used, it is arguably one of the most important piece of safety gear you can have aboard. But here are some questions many ask as they consider what to use and how to use it:

Fixed or Hand-held?

Today’s hand-held VHF radios are very versatile and convenient—plus they have the distinct advantage of not being dependent of the boat’s electrical system. In some emergencies, that power may not exist.

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Posted by Scott Q Blog