Whether you call them your four-legged friends, fur babies, or Fido, dogs are seen as extensions of family. As such, many boaters would love to bring their dog with them when they go boating, but are afraid of the dangers in doing so. Luckily, there are a few easily incorporated safety tips for boating with dogs that will keep your pet safe on the water.
Top Tips for Boating with Dogs
Life Jackets: Not just for humans, a well-fitting life jacket on your dog can save its life if it were to go overboard. Just like your own PFD, ensure the life jacket properly fits your dog, is a bright, easily spotted color and has a handle to help you rescue your dog, should the need arise. Once you find the right fit for your pooch, safely allow them to test out a bit of swimming to ensure they still have a full range of motion with the vest on. Even if your dog is a great swimmer, rough waters, rain or exhaustion can be real dangers for dogs without life jackets.
Fresh Water: Though boating can be fun, being out in the elements can work up a thirst in both people and pets. Make sure you have enough fresh water (and a bowl) for your dog to stay hydrated on your trip.
Get Acquainted: Some dogs can get a bit skittish in new environments–especially on a boat, with its loud noises, vibration and movement. Before starting the trip, get your dog well-acquainted with your boat, until they seem comfortable and know the general layout of the vessel. When beginning your trip, ensure your dog isn’t overly nervous or showing signs it may try to abandon ship.
Keep it Short: There is no telling how your dog will react to being on a boat for the first time, so plan on a shorter trip for their maiden voyage. If they seem to quickly get their sea legs and enjoy boating as much as you do, then you can safely begin to extend their time on the water.
Sun Protection: Just like humans, dogs can get sunburned. Try to keep your dog out of direct sunlight for too long, and be sure to apply dog-friendly sunscreen (unscented sunscreen or pet sunscreen), especially on their more exposed underbellies. Some even recommend “doggles” (yes, that’s goggles for dogs), which don’t only look cute but also protect your dog’s eyes from the harsh sun.
A Place to “Go”: When nature calls, make sure your dog has a place to “go.” So, place down pads, carpets or turf to keep their dog from relieving itself anywhere it sees fit on the deck. Also, be sure to walk your dog before disembarking to try to avoid accidents altogether.
Boating with dogs can be a lot of fun, but the above tips can help ensure your next trip is smooth sailing with your favorite furry friend. So, with your pooch properly strapped into a life jacket, equipped with doggles, protected by sunscreen, and properly hydrated (after a pre-trip bathroom break), we hope you have a great time on the water!
Boating is often linked to an appreciation for the great outdoors. Many boaters and anglers happen to also be avid outdoorsmen and women who understand just how important our environment is to protecting our pastime. Though it’s morally right to protect the plants and animals we share the waterways with, it also helps ensure that our kids and grandkids can enjoy the water just as much as we have. That’s where eco-friendly boating techniques come in.
Though some of the more pessimistic out there may scoff and turn their noses up to anything with the “eco-friendly” label as just some kind of crunchy hippie buzzword without much substance, eco-friendly boating is something everyone can (and should) incorporate as responsible boaters. Here are a few easy ways you can start to protect our waterways for years to come.
Eco-Friendly Boating Tips Worth Remembering
Motor Maintenance: Not only will a well-running motor save you money on gas, but it can also help keep you from spilling pollutants into our waterways. Oil and gasoline can be extremely harmful to the ecosystem, so ensuring your motor is tip-top and leak-free before hitting the water is a great idea.
No Littering: One of the most frustrating and completely preventable environmental dangers boaters cause is littering. Tossing cans, plastic and other non-biodegradable materials into the water can harm or kill creatures along the entire food chain. Simply keep a garbage bag onboard and dispose of your trash responsibly, and have a zero-tolerance policy for litterbug boaters and passengers.
Heed the Signs: Do your best to follow cautionary signs posted on your waterway, including low-wake zones and wildlife warnings. Ignoring these signs could destroy important seagrasses, oyster beds or even result in you injuring protected sea life.
Ditch Diesel: Though diesel motors are still the standard for many boat companies, emerging electric or hybrid options could both reduce or eliminate your gas costs while also reducing the risks of pollution.
By keeping your motor tip-top, refusing to litter, watching for cautionary signs and finding an alternative to diesel-powered motors, you could safeguard our waterways for generations of boaters to come. Together, we can protect the plant and animal life that make our waterways so beautiful in the first place, all while still having fun on the water with these eco-friendly boating tips.
You don’t have to be a frequent boater or conservationist to have heard the fear and dread spreading around the words “red tide.” Making headlines across the state of Florida and beyond, the threat of red tide is very real, but do you understand the risks it poses to wildlife and swimmers? Let’s break down some fast facts to make sure you’re staying safe on the water.
What Do I Need to Know About Red Tide?
What is red tide? Red tide is a harmful algae bloom caused by an overabundance of nutrients in the water, allowing the algae to feed and grow.
What causes red tide? Though red tide occurs naturally, some scientists point to runoff from septic tanks and agriculture for further fuelling algae growth.
Why is red tide harmful? Simply put, the red tide algae is harmful due to two major factors: it produces toxins and can decrease oxygen in the water.
What can be negatively affected by red tide? Everything and everyone in or around the affected waters. Fish can be strangled by the lack of oxygen in the water, die due to the toxins produced by the algae or harm the predators that consume them. Shorelines can become littered with dead sea life, leading to less-than-fun beachgoing conditions. Human swimmers risk skin and eye irritation, as well as respiratory issues in red tide conditions. Winds can even blow toxins onto land, affecting those nearby.
Can I fish during a red tide? Fish may be safe to eat (as long as they are filleted and guts are disposed of) but shellfish should be avoided.
Red tide is bad news for our shorelines and those who call them home. From the ecosystem to the economy, this bloom of microscopic life can spell big problems for Florida. But as we deal with this unfortunately frequent issue, understanding its dangers can help keep your next day at the beach or boating adventure from drifting into murky waters.
When most people think of fishing, they picture someone waking up just before dawn in order to hit the water just as the sun crests over the horizon. It’s a beautiful, awe-inspiring sight if you haven’t seen it for yourself–seeing the day slowly break through the darkness of early morning hours while on your boat. However, many people don’t realize, there is some great fishing to do before dawn.
Sure, night fishing has its detractors. But why do many look down on hitting the water after dark?
Sleeping Patterns: No, we’re not talking about disturbing your sleeping pattern (though there’s that too). You have to know which species of fish you’re looking for to ensure that it’s not bedtime when you hit the water at nighttime. Some fish are especially active at dusk and dawn as well, so try to schedule out your trip accordingly.
Navigational No-Nos: Even the best captain can’t see in the dark. Though adequate lighting, GPS systems and more can help, there is no beating being able to see what’s in front of you with the naked eye.
So, sure, there are some issues to consider before breaking out the Red Bull for a late-night fishing session. But that does not mean it’s not worth a try, especially when you have two equally intriguing benefits of night fishing.
Beat the Heat: Though the hottest months of the year are in the rearview, much of the South will surely still be hitting upper 80s for weeks to come. Once the oppressive sun has set, you beat the heat, avoid sunburns and have a more comfortable time on the water.
Less Competition and Traffic: Though others prefer boating at night, there are often far more boaters on the water during the daytime hours. Less activity means quieter waters, meaning fewer chances of scaring off your next catch.
Yes, there are pros and cons to night fishing, but if you’re like our clients and friends in Texas and Florida, you’ll know all too well it’s worth a shot to beat the heat alone: yes, even in early autumn. So, if you were on the fence about night fishing, maybe give it a try and see for yourself. Just be sure to take it slow and know the habits of the fish you’re trying to reel in. Be safe, have fun, and we’ll see you on the water!
Boating and a good time go together like spaghetti and meatballs, peanut butter and jelly and, well, boats and water. However, a good time can go bad fast when you add booze to your boating fun. Now, we’re no prudes, but boating under the influence (BUI) is a seriously dangerous practice when enjoying your time on the water.
Though we’ve written on the danger of drinking and boating in the past, one fact is often overlooked on the subject of BUI: alcohol is just one of many dangerous drugs that could affect your ability to operate your vessel. Let’s reveal the risks of BUI and some of the lesser-considered intoxicants that can spell big trouble for your next trip.
BUI Laws and Facts
Laws May Vary: Specifics of BUI law may differ by state, so it’d be wise to review your state’s specific laws before hitting the water. A safe bet? The vast majority of states base their BUI laws around the operator’s blood alcohol content, which is often over the limit at .08 percent and above. All states do have some form of BUI laws in place, however.
Drugs and Boating Do Not Mix: Operating a boat is no simple task. From the multitude of unknowns you’re constantly dealing with, such as weather and fellow boaters, to safely navigating even well-known waters, you need your wits about you. Alcohol and other drugs can affect your vision, reaction time and judgement, leading to possible accidents that would have been fully preventable.
More Than Just Booze: Yes, alcohol is a drug (and a quite popular one at that). However, the list of intoxicants does not end at a couple cans of beer or your favorite cocktail. Of course, recreational drugs also bring risks of their own–something especially important to remember with the growing push to legalize marijuana. Remember, just because it may be legal to consume, does not mean that it will not impair your ability to operate your vessel. This includes prescription medication. Yes, even if you are prescribed a drug, if it indicates that it could affect your ability to operate a vehicle, you should think twice before hitting the water.
Not Worth the Risks:If caught boating under the influence, you could face everything from fines all the way up to jail time in the most serious of cases. Even if not caught by authorities, understand that BUI puts yourself, your vessel, your passengers and anyone sharing the water with you at risk. Plain and simply, it’s not worth it.
Though laws may vary, it’s safe to say that BUI is never acceptable, regardless of specific regulations. Whether overindulging in drinks or recreational drugs, or even taking prescribed medication, if you are inebriated, you cannot be as safe a boater as you should be when so much can go so wrong. So, be safe, boat safe, and maybe wait until you’re back on shore before you toss a couple back. We’ll see you on the water.
