It’s been a scorcher these past weeks, and with the July 4th holiday coming up, boaters in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, and Vero Beach are going to hit the water to cool off and have a good time with their families on a boat. We’ve featured information about boating accidents on our website in the past and while nobody ever thinks they will have a horrific day on the water, anything can happen at sea! Just last week an experienced Port St. Lucie boater had his recently purchased boat sink out from underneath everyone onboard “like a rock.” Luckily a good Samaritan rescued the anglers and he was able to send out a “mayday” over his VHF radio before the sinking. The swift actions likely prevented further injury from this maritime accident. The gentlemen from Port St. Lucie responded quickly once he knew there was trouble and first …

We’ve had some strong winds and choppy seas lately from the Sebastian Inlet in Indian River County on down to the Jupiter Inlet, covering the entire Treasure Coast. Small Craft Advisories have been in effect. There is no precise definition of a “small craft” and if you ask around you might hear folks here in St. Lucie County advise any number from 18 to 60 feet! The National Weather Service says in an explanation of a “small craft advisory” that “any vessel that may be adversely affected by small craft advisory criteria should be considered a small craft.” It’s a bit of a circular definition! Bottom line: even for a “caution” situation (17 to 23 mph and seas to reach 4 to 6 feet) which is lesser than an advisory, should a recreational boater really be out there risking life and property? However, even prudent boat owners exercising caution can …