boating safety

Boating enthusiasts seeking to obtain the state boating safety certificate are encouraged to enroll in a one-day responsible boating class on the third Saturday of the month, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The course is held at the Pine Ridge Community Center, located at 15699 Pine Ridge Rd. in the Iona area of Fort Myers, next to the Iona McGregor Fire Station and across from the tax collector’s office. Completion of the course will make participants eligible for the state boating certificate.

The body of 19-year-old Graham McGrath, an FGCU student, who fell off a boat in Lake Como Wednesday night was found shortly before 11:30 a.m. Thursday. An investigation into his death continues.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s new report on the 2022 boating season. The main takeaway: Fewer accidents at sea, but more deaths.

With a tropical system entering into the Gulf and uncertainty over landfall or weather effects in SWFL, boaters should be diligent about making preparations.

A boating class Saturday will provide novice recreational boaters with knowledge needed to obtain Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission safety certification.

National Safe Boating Week runs May 21-27. It serves as a chance for marine authorities to spread the safe boating message every year. It is a particularly important mission this year, since for the first time in Florida, recreational boating registrations topped one million vessels, which is more than any other state.

Preliminary data from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission finds that 619 threatened manatees died in Florida waters in 2020, which is an increase from the previous year. The number of recorded deaths caused by boat strikes last year was down last year, but environmental advocates say that’s likely due to fewer necropsies being performed due to pandemic-related restrictions.We’re joined by Senior Florida Campaigner with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity Sarah Gledhill for a breakdown of the latest manatee mortality data and a look at an effort to increase boater safety education requirements in Florida, which could help protect the slow-moving manatees.