AS SEEN IN THE NOV/DEC 2007 ISSUE

Are Compasses Dispensable Now That GPS Chart-Plotters Are Dominating The Market?

A neighbor of mine – a new boater I might add – approached me a few years back and mentioned he had just purchased a pre-owned boat. “Great” I said, “So are you going to have your compass checked to make sure it’s at least in the ball park – accuracy wise?”

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2006 ISSUE

“Man diving off beach struck and killed by boater in apparent accident.”

“A diver was killed Saturday night after a boat ran him over just off the beach in Ho-llywood. The boat did not stop, though the operator may not have even realized he hit anyone,” reported a police spokesman in the Miami Herald, back in September of 2005

AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL 2006 ISSUE

It’s a plane! No, it’s a helicopter!  No, wait a second, that’s an aerial flare!

In many coastal communities, bright lights in the sky after dusk are an unusual sight. While in areas adjacent to airports, they are actually quite commonplace and can most often be explained. Nevertheless, regardless where exactly you’re boating or fishing, any time you see a strange, streaking light shooting across an otherwise dark nighttime sky, you should always look twice. With the exception of the July 4th weekend, unexplainable streaking or arcing lights above any body of water should definitely make you stand up and take notice. What you could be witnessing could very well be a Visual Distress Signal (VDS), commonly referred to as an “Aerial Flare.”

This great looking 3/4” thick pad has been scientifically developed to reduce the risk of injuries associated with heavy sea conditions.

By combining different foam densities, the pad relieves over 90% of the shock caused by the impact of a boat running over big waves, a discomfort we have all experienced before. The immediate relief on your feet, knees, back and neck will astonish you and you’ll never want to leave the dock without it.

AS SEEN IN THE SUMMER 2003 ISSUE

In our blue water arena, when you come face-to-face with a marlin, giant bluefin tuna or a mako shark, you better have your game face on!

All serious sports from the pee-wee to the professional level require serious commitment, preparation and safety considerations. Big game fishing is no exception and for whatever reason, has not always been recognized as an extreme sport. Those unaware of the dangers involved in battling or wiring big powerful fish need to be informed and educated by the professionals.

AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2003 ISSUE

As an avid boater and a fisherman for many years, when it comes to safety, I, like many others sometimes do not give it much thought. However I recently came across a product that just makes good sense. The StayAlive life jacket is a common sense approach to boating safety. It's a revolutionary new concept that is sure to save lives.

AS SEEN IN THE WINTER 2004-05 ISSUE 

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Reminds YOU: 
“You’re In Command,” so BOAT SAFELY!!!
Ed Sweeney, Chief – Media Division, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Nothing beats recreational boating as a way to relax, have fun, and bring friends and family together. That’s why it’s tragic when a recreational boating outing ends with an accident. Too many people are injured or even killed while boating on America’s waterways. Many of these people are responsible, conscientious boaters who think their experience or equipment is enough to keep them and their passengers safe.

AS SEEN IN THE 2004 SUMMER ISSUE

By, Ronald D. Bradley  President, Bradley Insurance Group  Allstate Insurance Company
It’s a beautiful weekend. It's Sunday afternoon. The sky is blue with a light breeze and the bite was hot this morning. I am back at the dock by 2 and there are plenty of fillets for this evening’s cookout. It’s even a 3 day weekend. How much better could it be?

As I stow my gear and prepare to clean my boat, the phone rings. My wife picks up and I overhear her talking to a friend/client. An instant later, she yells “honey, get the phone quick. It's George and he's in trouble!”

AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2004 ISSUE 

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE A NECESSITY ONBOARD

We all know that preventing fires aboard the boat is much easier and more cost-efficient than repairing the damage caused by them.  With that in mind, choosing the right fire protection for your craft is crucial to its survival and that of the crew and passengers. 
Portable fire extinguishers are a necessity.  They can be mounted nearly anywhere for quick access and are most effective on oil, grease and electrical fires, such as in the galley or the accommodating areas.

AS SEEN IN THE NOV/DEC 2005 ISSUE

Every year, near every major recreational boating center, a shattering event will make local and sometimes regional news. Its not the type of event that the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary finds satisfying, rewarding, or invited. In some respects, the only 'good which will come from this event is the inevitable lesson-learned. And as lessons-learned go, wed rather not have this type of event from which to pull the example.

AS SEEN IN THE SEPT/OCT 2005 ISSUE

Coast Guard Auxiliary Discusses How To Be A “Good Mate:”
Fast Facts about Vessel Maintenance Pollution

Boating season is at its peak. It’s the time of the year when tens of thousands of power boaters are working on their vessels, keeping them clean and in top shape for the balance of the boating season. Whether you store your vessel on the water or in your backyard, this short editorial will help you be a “Good Mate” and keep the environment “clean & green.”
 

AS SEEN IN THE JULY/AUGUST 2005 ISSUE 

What goes better with sunny summer weather than spending time on the water having fun fishing, water skiing, or just plain relaxing? For some, a day on the water doing what they love is all it takes to have an enjoyable time. For others, alcohol is the key ingredient for fun. Unfortunately, mixing alcohol and boating is all too often a recipe for disaster, rather than a recipe for relaxation.

AS SEEN IN THE JULY / AUGUST 2007 ISSUE

In the last ten years, I think my wife and I have gone out on our boat only a handful of times without our dog. That’s a lot of hours on the water with our beloved pooch. During that time, we’ve experienced plenty of picture perfect days, some bumpy seas and some very hot and humid weather. All without incident. We’ve been fortunate, but we also plan rather well.

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE '07 ISSUE

With the lack of dock space, trailer sales are on the rise.
If you are new at this game, the following information will help you avoid disaster.

Have you ever spent any amount of time at the boat ramp during weekend rush hour? Of course you have. The experience evokes all sorts of emotions – humor – drama – action – anger – even a healthy mix of the World’s Funniest Videos thrown in. You can’t help but wonder why so many continue to make the boat ramp experience so frustrating yet so entertaining for onlookers. It must be because so many boaters who trailer their vessels just don’t practice, don’t plan, and don’t expect the unexpected.

AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL '07 ISSUE

“Wow! The seas are really kicking up! This thunderstorm is really, really bad. The boat is all over the place and it doesn’t look like there is any relief in sight. This would probably be a good time to put on a life jacket. But I don’t know, the darn thing is so big and bulky – plus it’s hot and it gets in my way. I guess I can always grab it if I need it.”

AS SEEN IN THE JAN/FEB '07 ISSUE

The sun is shining, the birds are diving, reels are screaming and dinner is in the fish box! It’s one of those great days that we remember for a long time. Just as you and your crew are exchanging high-fives and preparing to head back to port from thirty miles offshore, tragedy strikes! A raging fire erupts in the galley, and you have no choice but to abandon ship. Just then, you think to yourself, “I should have bought that life raft!”