Author: Scott Le Roy

Drowning is the most common cause of death in children up to the age of four, according to the United States Coast Guard. When boating with minors, safety should be your number one priority. Boating with young children presents unique challenges that need to be addressed. Below are five safety tips when boating with children. 1. Wear a life jacket.All mariners should follow state laws when it comes to wearing life jackets. Make sure your children have life jackets that fit appropriately for their weight and water activity.  2. Enroll your kids in swimming lessons.Knowing how to swim is your child’s critical line of defense against drowning.  3. Make sure you have emergency gear before getting underway.Make sure all emergency gear is up-to-date and easily accessible. This includes first aid kits, flares, blankets, radios, and a portable fire extinguisher. 4. Educate your kids on propeller safety.Make sure your kids know to stay away from the propellers. They don’t need to fear the propellers, but...

An enjoyable boat ride turned into a stressful catastrophe off the coast of St. Petersburg last month. After their boat sank, four passengers were left clinging to a large concrete barrier underneath the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. One boater was able to call 911. He was instructed to wave his cell phone light at the approaching Coast Guard helicopter, which ended up saving the group. It’s not always easy to think clearly during an emergency, but sometimes, getting creative can save your life. And always, always, always remember to wear a life jacket while you’re boating. It might feel unnecessary, but it can save your life in an unexpected crisis. ...

Despite having to skip several major boat shows this winter due to COVID-19 concerns, boat sales are looking bright. Fortunately, buyers haven’t been deterred by the pandemic!  Boat shows are appealing for a variety of reasons: The show itself is a unique event, they enable exhibitors to come face-to-face with a large number of prospective buyers, and boat buyers appreciate the tactile experience. Virtual shows are better than nothing, but they don’t provide the same participation dynamic.  Some are worried that without winter boat shows, boat sales will take a huge hit after the new year. However, that’s not looking likely. Prospective boat buyers are alive and well, especially since boating is a safe way to enjoy the outdoors during the pandemic. It also helps that interest rates are at a record low right now. So, will the lack of boat shows have an effect on the market? In some ways, maybe. However, we’re not expecting boat sales to plummet. In fact, the...

To encourage the adoption of shelter animals this holiday season, Manatee County Animal Services launched its Home For The Holidays promotion. For all pets, adoption fees will be waived in lieu of a donation made to the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services. This promotion is eligible through January 5th. Adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and rabies certificates. The Palmetto Adoption Center and Shelter, located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto, and Manatee County Cat Town, located at 216 6th Avenue East in Bradenton, are available to visit by appointment only. Make an online appointment by going to mymanatee.org/pets, filling out an adopter profile and reserving your appointment date. If you’re unable to adopt a pet but are interested in fostering, you’re in luck! MCAS is bringing back holiday fostering, a short-term, holiday season fostering option. Through January 5th, county residents can take home a shelter dog or cat for 2-5 days. For all foster participants, MCAS will provide all...

Thanksgiving Day preparations can be stressful, especially when it comes to the turkey. Whether you’re cooking dinner on your boat, frying a turkey on the dock with your slip neighbors, or preparing a feast at your house, here are some essential safety guidelines to follow. After shopping or preparing food, make sure you refrigerate or freeze perishable food within two hours.When it comes to thawing in the fridge, allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of meat.You can also submerge the turkey in cold tap water to thaw. Make sure the turkey is in a container that won’t leak, and change the water every 30 minutes until thawed.Do NOT thaw meat on the counter. It’s not safe.If you’re cooking stuffing inside the turkey, confirm that the stuffing reaches the temperature necessary to kill potentially harmful bacteria.  According to the USDA, you should cook an 8-12lb turkey for 2.5-3 hours and a 12-14lb turkey for 3-4 hours.  If you suspect that food poisoning has...

With COVID-19 in full swing again, planning exciting dates has become a difficult task for couples. However, you’re in luck if you have a boat! There’s nothing quite as romantic as cruising on the water and relaxing under the stars. The best part is, it’s a great way to stay safe and social distance! Here are some tips for a romantic weekend boating adventure that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.  1. Make sure you have a plan.Spontaneity is fun, but there are things you need to plan for, such as unexpected delays, boating after sunset, provisioning mishaps, and more. You want the adventure to be romantic, not frantic.2. Keep it simple.There’s no need to overplan your getaway. However, it’s wise to have some solid ideas about the weekend agenda. Figure out how long you’ll be gone, how much fuel you’ll need, adequate food and beverages, what the weather is going to look like, the amount of clothing you’ll...

On Wednesday, Tropical Storm Eta approached Florida’s West Coast. That morning, the storm was downgraded from a Category 1 Hurricane to a Tropical Storm.  Manatee County was expected to see the worst from Eta late Wednesday evening. Around 7:30pm, The National Weather Service issued a flood warning as heavy rain fell. Two shelters opened at 12pm at Manatee High School in Bradenton and Mills Elementary in Palmetto. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, capacity was reduced.  As Eta approached, all of West Central Florida, including Manatee County, was under a tornado warning.  Eta caused hundreds of power outages, fortunately most of which have already been restored.  Fortunately, the worst is over! As always, stay safe during inclement weather. Check out our hurricane safety tips to learn more! ...

If you’re searching for a place to get tested for COVID-19 in Palmetto, look no further! The Florida Division of Emergency Management moved the test center from Lincoln Park to the Bradenton Area Convention Center. The convention center is located at 1 Haben Blvd. in Palmetto. Testing is available from 7am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 4pm, or until they run out of their allotted 500 test kits each day. No appointment or prescription are necessary. The tests are free to the public, and there are no age restrictions.Need more information? Call 941-748-4501 or visit www.mymanatee.org. ...

Halloween is almost here! However, the most frightening scare remains COVID-19. You might not be able to bring your kids trick-or-treating in a traditional manner, but there are still social distancing festivities to help you celebrate! Here are five to check out.  1. Halloween on S. Lime AveThis free holiday drive-thru will feature projection mapping, animatronics, sound and special effects, a ghoul’s garden with light-up skull flowers, and more. Thursday through Saturday, 7-10pm. 133 S. Lime Ave., Sarasota.  2. Big Cat Habitat’s Wild-O-WeenCheck out this celebration for a costume contest, mummy wrapping contest, a live animal demonstration, and pony rides. Kids can also participate in pumpkin bowling and painting! Saturday from 12-4pm. Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd. 3. Fright Night on St. ArmandsOne of the area’s most beloved Halloween traditions is back! Spooky characters will haunt the streets of St. Armands Circle, and many retailers will offer trick-or-treating for children and Halloween promotions for adults. Saturday from 6-8:30pm....

On Saturday, six people were rescued by the Coast Guard near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. According to the Coast Guard, distress calls were received, warning that a boat was “about to capsize”. Two 45-foot Response Boats were sent to assist. One was dispatched from St. Petersburg and the other from Bradenton.  When the Coast Guard arrived, they found two people in the water wearing life jackets and four people on the sinking boat. All were rescued and taken back to Bradenton. A Sea Tow vessel recovered the boat and towed it to a local marina. Wearing a life jacket is the single most important step a person can take to increase their chances of survival in a life-threatening situation on the water. When operating a boat, you should have enough life jackets for everyone onboard. Otherwise, the consequences can be deadly.  ...