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| » GOING ON A CHARTER BOAT?
DON'T TRUST YOUR LIVES TO JUST ANY CAPTAIN.
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Ask Captain Aquatic
Email Your Questions To Capt. Aquatic
I scored 30 or less on my boating IQ. Now what?
ANSWER:
If you scored 30 or less on boating IQ , you ARE
what we call "Joe Blow boater".
But, take heart you have already beaten the most deadly thing in boating; EGO. Simply,
by knowing you don't know and doing the few things below your on your way to being a true mariner.
You have already started on the right path. Spend time in the member section, listening
to the audio and do a little reading. Call Sea Drive
and have them come out and access your
skills and teach you the real way to be a mariner.
However, if you don't get training from
us, get training from somewhere. Training doesn't take long nor is it expensive.
Not getting trained can cost you thousands in fines or it can cost you or someone else their life.
You need to either get a copy of Rules Of The Road (the one published by Pelican Press) or consider
a CD so you understand the Rules Of The Road
ALL BOATERS ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD
Rules Of The Road CD/DVD !
1/2 Price For A Limited Time !
This is the ONLY CD written by Instructors in an easy to understand format. It
explains the Rules Of The Road. It uses simple terms and humor to help you
truly understand the rules.
This CD GUARANTEES YOU WILL KNOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD !
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"I've been around boats all my life". I am certain
that I don't need boat training. I am
sure I am good boater and know the rules of the road.
Answer: You will find that I believe in being straight up with
people. Most people can respect honesty. So, here goes,
MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD FORMAL TRAINING AS A BOATER
YOU ARE A RISK TO ALL OTHER BOATERS AND YOUR FAMILY THAT IS ON BOARD.
As an Instructor, my students usually say at the beginning of class
"I've been around boats all my life, I don't really need the class
I just thought I would take it".
They are certain they know what they need to know about boating.
They are equally certain that they know everything.
So, I'll ask you to do what I ask them to do.
GO TAKE THE BOATING IQ TEST ON OUR HOME PAGE !
If you had no idea what the answers were , its ok.
You are NOT alone. Most boaters don't.
That is one of the BIGGEST problems with boating
today and is no doubt the reason for the majority
of deaths and injuries.
That is
why we call them "joe blow boater".
Joe Blow Boater is the boaters who thinks
he/she knows everything but in fact he/she doesn't even know ONE
Rule Of The Road.
Many will tell you that most boating accidents or incidents occur
as a result of alcohol. I won't disagree with that, but I will tell
you that 99 percent of ALL boating accidents are the result of EGO.
Ego,that tells you, you don't need training.
Even if you do not get it from us, PLEASE GET IT SOMEWHERE.
Just because you may have been on a boat all your life DOES NOT MEAN
THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Actually, that statement alone is
usually my FIRST indication as an instructor
that a boater does NOT have a clue.
If you don't take any formal training, you have no idea the risk you pose
to your family every time you go out and the risk you pose to us,
the professional mariners.
Understand this, when you wiz by with your packed boat, maybe bow riders, ignoring
the rules of the road, engines full throttle or you take that small boat out in the gulf
way offshore (where it shouldn't be),
we (the professional mariners) DO NOT THINK
YOUR COOL. WE ARE NOT IMPRESSED. We radio each other and talk about you but you
don't want to know what we say.
Sign Up For A Boat Safety Class: PLEASE - If not with us with someone.
Email Us For Info
Behind The Wheel Training From Sea Drive
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Should I Be A Six Pack Captain Because I Can.
ANSWER:
I only deal in truths. I am not here to dazzle you
and sell you stuff. Understand that it is HARD to make a
living as charter boat captain unless you have another job or
you are financially secure.
SECOND - Commercial Boats - that means the one you want
run as a six pack - under law , if it can be inspected
it MUST be which then means you MUST have a Master's license.
So, if your getting your license to hang on your wall and brag
about it, or to do for fun, be aware that you will be putting
thousands of dollars into it.
THIRD - Running a charter business is EXPENSIVE. Ask anyone.
Then when you have to turn your boat into an inspected boat,
it gets into unGodly amounts of money. If you are not planning to put
your life into it DON'T. I know I am cutting some of my own
business here but it is just the plain truth.
Your other option is to be a personal captain. What is that ,
well there is no law written on it, there is no designation for
it. Be the Captain of your boat. Know the Rules Of The Road at
bare minimum. Does that make you a real Captain, no, but then real
Captain's have paid thousands to be that, they have spent broke days on the
docks waiting out hurricanes, they have sat in endless
training classes and worked long hours.
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Where is the best place to catch tarpon?
ANSWER:
I've been fishing tarpon in Boca Grande since a very young
age. I would say Boca Grande is a great place but during season it can
be VERY crowded. Some other places to look for tarpon
are; Tampa Bay, along beaches and the Sunshine
Skyway.
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Can you eat puffer fish?
ANSWER:
In the far east they do. However, they have an annual death rate
of 200 from eating puffer fish. Puffer fish are very poisonous. They can be
eaten IF AND ONLY IF THEY ARE PREPARED CORRECTLY. If they are not you will surely
die. So, my answer is NO ! It is not recommended.
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If my friends chip in for gas
as payment for taking them out fishing that is
not a charter right ?
ANSWER:
WRONG - if anyone on your boat contributes anything then it is a charter and you
must be a licensed captain.
This includes if your friends chip in gas, agree to buy or furnish lunch (referred
to as the baloney sandwich law)or any other type of gratuity no matter how small.
If you are given ANY gratuity you MUST be a licensed captain PERIOD.
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I hear the term 6 pack used a lot when it comes to charter boats. What
does this mean?
ANSWER:
A six pack/un-inspected charter boat are boats that are
limited to carrying only six passengers and are not required to be
inspected by the US Coast Guard.
Master captains operate vessels that ARE inspected by the US Coast Guard and
do not have a passenger limit however, each vessel has a limit to the number of
passengers it can safely carry. It requires much more sea time and tests to become
a master captain. It cost more to run an inspected boat due to the inspection
requirements.
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I have Radar on my boat, do I need training?
ANSWER:
Yes. You should have radar training. Radar is a tool.
You can count on Radar to do one thing consistently - lie to you.
Many people have radar however, they do not know nor have they
been trained in its operation.
If you were to get in an accident the Coast Guard would question
you regarding your radar training. If you had none, they would site
you for having a tool on board that you did not know how to operate.
Keep in mind that fiberglass boats do not show up on radar, in fact
many things do not show up on radar. It is too involved to get into here but
suffice it to say , If you have it you SHOULD be formally trained in it.
If you are thinking of becoming a Captain. Yes, you need the 3
day Radar course offered by schools.
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