With more boat owners registered in Florida and Tampa Bay than ever before, and the big season ahead for recreational boating and sailing, safety on the water is most important.
Fortunately for area boaters, there are many opportunities available for safety instruction. Included are the St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla #78, Hubbard’s Marina, Freedom Boat Club, LottoBoat and Sea Tow, among others.
According to the State Dept. of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, registered power and sailing vessel owners in Florida was 915,713 in 2015, up 4% from 880,077 in 2000. Total for Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties was 89,073.
Boat Clubs & Towing
This sampling of local Tampa Bay boat clubs also includes a “boating AAA” service. The Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay, based in Tarpon Springs, was started by Glenn Bergoffen 10 years ago and as of May 1 will open its 12th location at Rick’s on the River in Tampa, just north of downtown on the Hillsborough River. The membership-only club has a fleet of fishing boats and larger vessels available to all members, with an online reservation system up to six months in advance. “Members can not only use our boats,” he said, “but also the boats at 98 other Freedom Boat Clubs across the U.S. and Canada, with up to four annual rentals at these locations.” One of the newest local fleet additions is a 23-foot Sea Fox fishing boat. For more information and reservations, online at www.freedomboatclub.com.
Alex Atteberry launched LottoBoat five years ago at the Harborage Marina High & Dry at 100 14th Ave. South in St. Petersburg, and Boat Club members have steadily increased every year. Availabilities include 19-24-foot power boats and Wave Runners, from $799 sign-up and $109 per month for 40 hours per year, with an additional $27/hour flat rate; Large 30-40-foot Cabin Cruisers, with a share from $5,999 sign-up and $279 per month, with added use from $399/day. Fuel and taxes are not included, with other packages and pricing available on request. Also offered are stand-up paddleboards, jet skis and kayaks. Boat Club information at www.lottoboat.net
Sea Tow was launched in Southold, NY, more than 20 years ago when the Coast Guard stopped towing recreational boats. ”It’s been at least 15 years in St. Petersburg,” says Cile Morena, who bought the local franchise last May. “As May is Safe Boating Month, we’ve just been given a Coast Guard grant to put free life jackets around the Tampa Bay Area. We’re working with the county, and the City of St. Petersburg is very interested. We hope to start our free loaner program soon – with 10 adult and 10 kid’s jackets – at the busiest boat ramps and marinas. We’re also talking to the City of Tampa. With another Coast Guard grant we have our Silver Skippers program.
Repeat Safety Courses
“The St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron (SPSPS) was established in 1937,” according to Education Officer Bob Cox. “We are a member of the US Power Squadron, formed in 1914 and one of the premier non-profit, boating educational and social organizations dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable. SPSPS is a volunteer fraternal organization serving the Tampa Bay area. Over 300 members promote nautical safety by participating in a variety of enjoyable activities – individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds who share a love for boating. Members participate and volunteer on a variety of committees and programs, and teach educational courses to help promote boating safety.”
“We offer a variety of courses including the American Boating Course focused on safe boating and many two-hour seminars including Hurricanes and Boats, How to Read a Chart, Anchoring and several others. Most recent event was a Hurricanes and Boats seminar, which drew a nice crowd April 20 at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center, 250 2nd Ave. SE, near Demens Landing in downtown St. Pete.” Complete schedule of courses and information about the Power Squadron is online at http://www.boating-stpete.org
“The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla #78 Pass-a-Grille has been providing boating safety education to the public since 1964,” Zelda Troiano, Staff Officer – Public Affairs, told Paradise News. “Our Flotilla offers a 12-week repeating cycle of classes, which allows students to start at any point in the cycle. Next cycle begins on May 24 with Chapter 1, Which Boat is for You. This is followed by Equipment for Your Boat, Waterway Watch/Trailering Your Boat, Handling Your Boat, Your “Highway” Signs, Rules of the Nautical Road, Boating Safety, Introduction to Navigation, Powering Your Boat, Lines and Knots, Weather and Your Boat’s Radio.”
“With the exception of holidays and election days, classes meet every Tuesday at 7:00 pm. at the Warren Webster Building, 1500 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach.” Zelda is also an instructor, along with Tally Abruzzo, Mike Berkowitz, Phil Creter, Dave Corner, Roger Gilmore, Brad Marchant, Tony Novellino, Tom Perry and Jim Troiano. For information, contact Phil Creter 727-865-2226, Warren Pfirrman at 727-321-7801 or Jim Troiano at 727-360-4846.
Safety tips are also provided by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) in its free FWC’s Fishing in the Know and free Division of Marine Fisheries Management Monthly Newsletter. Available online at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/1404fdf
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks for their good information to Glenn Bergoffen, Alex Atteberry, Cile Moreno, Jeff Eckhart (SPSPS), Zelda Troiano, Dylan Hubbard, Michelle Tepper and Sean Tobe.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com]
Hubbard’s Marina Tips
Captain Mark Hubbard and vice-president Dylan Hubbard of Hubbard’s Marina at John’s Pass provide the monthly Paradise News Fishing Report. They have operated a charter fishing service for many years and offer these safe boating tips;
– If you plan to charter a boat, make sure you have an experienced, licensed captain and we highly recommend a USCG inspected vessel
– If you plan to rent a boat, make sure the person you allow to drive it does not plan to drink and is also at least somewhat experienced.
– Take a quick boaters safety course if you’re in-experienced in operating a vessel– it’s only a short weekend class and not expensive.
– You can also go online & go over the basics avail-able on most any website about boater safety tips.
– DO NOT operate any vessel under the influence as many feel that boats are different from cars. If you’re over the limit, you can get a big fine, a ticket and even jail time if you’re way over the posted limit.
– Lifejackets are a must for everyone on board along with a First Aid kit that includes peroxide for cleaning wounds and a coagulant to stop heavy bleeding.
– Ensure the boat has a fire extinguisher and proper safety gear that includes a throw ring and some emergency floatation items.
– A waterproof or heavy, water-resistant “Ditch Bag” is vital, especially offshore. This holds life saving equipment such as flares, satellite phone, whistle and extra VHF.
– The sun is no joke – stay hydrated with water, especially if people on board are drinking.
– Most important, you must have a Float Plan on file. This means letting someone know when you plan to leave, approximately when you plan to return and approximately where you plan to go (your heading).
Hubbard’s Marina offers a very wide variety of private charters along with several party boat options. Included are four smaller fishing vessels for charter that can take 1-6, 7-14 or 14-24, plus two large party boats that can handle 17-110. In addition to 12-hour day trips, there are longer 39, 44 and 63-hour overnight trips. More information on all charters: http://hubbardsmarina.com
Other Area Boating Events
The 11th Ed Alber Tarpon Rodeo June 2-3 is an annual fishing tournament born from the reality that we live in the greatest fishing capital of the world and we need to protect it! All funds raised from the Fishing Tournament & June 2 Captain’s Banquet Live & Silent Auction at the TradeWinds Island Grand will be used to complete vital habitat coastal restoration projects in Tampa Bay. Receipts also will help teach thousands of children the importance of becoming stewards of the environment through the Estuary EDventure programs at Tampa Bay Watch in Tierra Verde. For more information, contact Michelle Tepper, TBW Special Events Coordinator, at mtepper@tampabaywatch.org or online at www.tampabaywatch.org.
Third Annual Orange & Blue Tarpon Derby, sponsored by the Pinellas County Gator Club, is June 25 & 27, at the Madeira Beach Marina. All net receipts will go toward the Club’s 10 annual $1,000 scholarships to Pinellas County seniors committed to attending the University of Florida. Prize money payouts are $2,500 for 1st, $1,000 for 2nd, $500 for 3rd and $250 for 4th. Sponsorships are available. For details including angler and boat registration, online at www.pinellascountygatorclub.org or email Derby Chairman Sean Tobe at sstobe@gmail.com.
The popular Happy with the Historian lecture series continues at the St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE, on May 12 at 6:30 pm with St. Petersburg Yacht Club Archivist Barbara Watson hosting “From Morgan to Havana, St. Pete’s Waterfront Story”. Guests will enjoy this boating tale of inventions, races and probably a couple of big fish too, with an available cash bar. Members are free, with a $5 suggested donation for others. Lecture is presented by Green, Henwood & Hough, RBC Wealth Managment. For more information on the 2016 series, see the website, spmoh.org/happyhour.
To emphasize that May is “Safe Boating Month”, this is just a good cross-section of boating and fishing activity in the Tampa Bay area, and the many opportunities to access safe boating tips in our “Watersports Capital of the U.S.”