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Sunday, August 17, 2008
Storm Brewing
If you are in the Keys, get out. If you are thinking about choosing to stay with your boat or your home, don't.
If you're worried about traffic, leave now instead of waiting until later.
Take a jug of water. Get in the car. And go.
I've been to those keys, and there isn't much room for shelter.
Don't listen to me, check out this video:
Hurricane Fay News Video Post
AP News Article about Hurricane Fay
If you're worried about traffic, leave now instead of waiting until later.
Take a jug of water. Get in the car. And go.
I've been to those keys, and there isn't much room for shelter.
Don't listen to me, check out this video:
Hurricane Fay News Video Post
AP News Article about Hurricane Fay
Labels: Florida, Hurricanes, Safety, Weather
Monday, August 04, 2008
No Strings Attached
Autotether, a new life-saving device for boaters, was invented about 15 minutes from my house.
But I had to read a reprint of a NY Times story recapped in the online version of Florida's Sun-Sentinal to find out about it.
The device essentially replaces that red tether that you're supposed to use to attache yourself to your boat's dashboard. In the original version, if you go overboard, the device would detach from the boat and stop the boat's engine.
Great idea, but the problem is nobody would ever clip these things to themselves because they're a total pain in the ass. In fact, I did a google search for these things to show you somebody wearing one, and couldn't even find one.
Enter Autotether, of Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
Autotether replaces that red string with a wireless signal, so the part that clips to your shirt (or life jacket!) isn't tying you to the driver's seat. You can get up and take care of business or serve a couple of cocktails without untangling yourself. And, instead of being limited to just the driver, you can connect Autotether to multiple passengers on your boat, giving you further peace of mind.
Additional uses include an added layer of child safety at the beach or at the pool.
On the web: Autotether.com
But I had to read a reprint of a NY Times story recapped in the online version of Florida's Sun-Sentinal to find out about it.
The device essentially replaces that red tether that you're supposed to use to attache yourself to your boat's dashboard. In the original version, if you go overboard, the device would detach from the boat and stop the boat's engine.Great idea, but the problem is nobody would ever clip these things to themselves because they're a total pain in the ass. In fact, I did a google search for these things to show you somebody wearing one, and couldn't even find one.
Enter Autotether, of Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Autotether replaces that red string with a wireless signal, so the part that clips to your shirt (or life jacket!) isn't tying you to the driver's seat. You can get up and take care of business or serve a couple of cocktails without untangling yourself. And, instead of being limited to just the driver, you can connect Autotether to multiple passengers on your boat, giving you further peace of mind.
Additional uses include an added layer of child safety at the beach or at the pool.
On the web: Autotether.com
Labels: On the Web, Safety
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pirates are not cool
Disney probably wasn't the first media outlet to glamorize pirates, but if you sail in some parts of the world you need to consider the fact that pirates really exist and they are nothing like the characters you see in popular movies.
CNN is reporting that pirates have captured a family that was vacationing on their yacht - which ran out of gas - and taken them into the hills of Somalia.
I hope the family is safe, but I also share this story with you as a warning. If you're going to cruise around countries like Somalia, it's probably a good idea to make sure you take the proper precautions such as having enough gas to get to the next port.
CNN is reporting that pirates have captured a family that was vacationing on their yacht - which ran out of gas - and taken them into the hills of Somalia.
I hope the family is safe, but I also share this story with you as a warning. If you're going to cruise around countries like Somalia, it's probably a good idea to make sure you take the proper precautions such as having enough gas to get to the next port.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Love a good rescue story
It's always great to hear about would-be tragedies that end with the boaters being rescued.
This was the case in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend, several miles off the coast of Clearwater Beach, Florida, as reported on Tampa Bay's 10 (see full story).
The men were traveling at 35 mph when their boat hit a wave and knocked them both out of the boat. If you're a new boater, you may not realize it, but 35 is FAST when you are on the water.
While I love to see the happy endings like this, I also like to take these opportunities to remind folks about boating safety: If you boat, there's never a bad time to wear a life jacket.
This was the case in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend, several miles off the coast of Clearwater Beach, Florida, as reported on Tampa Bay's 10 (see full story).
The men were traveling at 35 mph when their boat hit a wave and knocked them both out of the boat. If you're a new boater, you may not realize it, but 35 is FAST when you are on the water.
While I love to see the happy endings like this, I also like to take these opportunities to remind folks about boating safety: If you boat, there's never a bad time to wear a life jacket.