Thomas E. Dawson
May 2024
Southwest Florida is a popular vacation spot, the sun, sand, warm waters all look wonderful especially while you are wearing your “vacation goggles.” Those that have or want to have a boat down here may also have a pair of “boat goggles” which have a similar impact, “Everything Is AWESOME!"
The everything is awesome phase slowly wears off over time. When it does many boaters find out the hard way that perhaps it would have been a good idea to not assumed that boating is easy. And down here in Southwest Florida it’s nothing like “back home.”
Those that come to this realization have a couple of options, give up, or take some boating course and learn the proper way things are supposed to be done out on the water.
Each May it is the start of the annual safe boating campaigns nationwide. The campaign is run by the National Safe Boating Council headquartered in Clearwater, Florida an organization dedicated to promoting safe boating year-round. May kicks off the annual boating season north of the Mason/Dixon line and the National Safe Boating Council has two big events.
First up, on May 17, 2024 is “Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day.” The objective of this day is to reenforce the message that if you are not wearing a lifejacket it is usually too late to put one on when an accident happens. Nationally drowning was the reported cause of death in 75 percent of all boating fatalities. Of those, 85 percent were reported as not wearing their life jackets.
For boaters in Southwest Florida, I recommend getting and regularly wearing an inflatable life jacket. Inflatables are lightweight, and comfortable to wear. Once you get into the habit of wearing an inflatable, you will have it on if you need it.
The second event is, National Safe Boating Week which runs from May 18-24, 2024. This year the National Safe Boating Council is promoting “The Boating Safety Seven.”
#1 – Wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone wears a life jacket – every time. A stowed life jacket serves no purpose in an emergency.
#2 – Take a boating safety course. Gain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.
#3 – Carry all required safe boating gear. Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working, and in good condition.
#4 – Use an engine cut-off switch – it’s the law. An engine cut-off switch is a proven safety device to stop a powerboat engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.
#5 – Make a float plan. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board before you leave the dock.
#6 – Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.
#7 – Never boat under the influence. A BUI is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper.
Each of the seven is important and I already covered #1 on the list. But, let’s discuss item #3, getting a vessel safety check.
Members of the four United States Power Squadron clubs in Sanibel, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and San Carlos all have members qualified to conduct Vessel Safety Checks. These are free and provide you an opportunity to make sure you have all the required gear on your boat. It is also a chance to make sure none of it is worn out or expired.
If you are new to the area, it is a great opportunity ask someone who has been boating here, what other equipment they would recommend you consider adding to your boat. Their answers might surprise you.
The National Safe Boating Council’s website Boat on Course, has a series of short educational boating safety videos. Their Essential Boating Safety Gear video covers all the legally required equipment needed on your vessel. This is a good video to watch prior to getting your Vessel Safety Check.
Item #2 on “The Boating Safety Seven”, take a boating safety course should not be overlooked. The Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron offers a series of courses and seminars that have been tailored for boaters new to the area.
For new residents they also offer, Southwest Florida Boating Primer, a 90-minute seminar. This session covers many of the item’s boaters have told us they wish they knew before they headed on our waterways.
All boaters new to our waters will find, America’s Boating Course presented in six two-hour session an opportunity to earn the State of Florida’s Boater Education I.D. Card. The instructors go beyond the basic requirements of the course and spend time discussing how the material is applicable to our local waters.
Knowing how to read a chart and plan your trip is helpful in our shallow waters.
Introduction to Navigation is a 90-minute seminar that covers charting basics and introduces boaters to how to use electronic chart navigation tools.
For boaters looking for a deeper dive into boating basics will find Boat Handling a good next step. Consisting of a series of six two-hour seminars each focusing on a different boating skills topic.
For more details on these and other courses and seminars including the annual Hurricane and Boats seminar that will be offered on May 15th, visit ccsaps.org.
Stay safe on the water.
Thomas E. Dawson
Thomas E. Dawson is a volunteer instructor at the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron, http://www.ccsaps.org/. Dawson is also the author of two boating books. Safe Boating in Southwest Florida, which is a guide book to the waterways stretching from Bokeelia to W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam. And Barret Bonden’s Thoughts on Boating Safely both available from Amazon.
Amazon Bio HERE