One new law that will impact everyone will be new licensing requirements to operate a sea craft. Anyone who wants to operate a boat or personal water craft has to be older than 22 years old. To get a permit, a person must take a course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Association or take a “How to Boat Smart” correspondence course.

Once a class has been completed, you must submit a letter with your name, date of birth, return address, phone number, and proof of completion of the course to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Out of state visitors who don’t have a card issued by their home state will be allowed to take a temporary certificate test.

In addition, the penalty for boating under the influence has been enhanced to match the penalty for driving under the influence. The blood-alcohol or breath-alcohol level was also lowered from 0.20 to 0.15.

Click here for more information on the new licensing requirements from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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A woman and her 2-year-old daughter were found trying to swim miles to shore in the Florida Keys after spending the night on a boat that had run out of gas, Why would you ever leave a floating boat when you are miles at sea? Who puts their 2 year old in that kind of danger? Sounds more like a suicide attempt then an attempt at survival. according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Kerry Harrison and her toddler, both wearing life jackets, were picked up Wednesday afternoon by a boater and taken to Caloosa Cove on Lower Matecumbe Key.

Their ordeal began about 8 p.m. Tuesday, when they left a friend’s house on Key Colony Beach for the five-mile trip to their home in Marathon. But they never arrived. At 11 a.m. Wednesday, a worried friend called the Coast Guard and a search began with the assistance of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. The mother and daughter were found by the private boat at 1:30 p.m. The boat ran out of gas shortly after leaving Key Colony Beach.  This boat must have had no gas. Harrison did not have a radio or cellphone. There are still people without cell phones?

Through the night, the boat drifted about 20 miles to the northeast, There wasn’t an anchor on board? All that water is less then 30′ deep, most less that 10′. ending up near Tennessee Reef Light off Lower Matecumbe Key in Islamorada. Sometime in the morning, the pair began the swim to shore, about four miles away.

”I’m extremely grateful they were located alive,” said Jim Olive, acting commander of Coast Guard Sector Key West. But he said in a statement the pair should have stayed with their boat. Duh!

There has got to be more to this story. Had she ever been in a boat before? Who let her take a boat with no gas? No radio? No signaling device?

Hopefully someone else will get custody of the child until her mom can get help.

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“This is another great benefit for the citizens and visitors of Marathon” said City Manager Clyde Burnett. The city’s third public boat ramp is located near The Island restaurant, north of Vaca Cut. [On the Gulf Side] All three public ramps have been fully repaired within the last three years.

The ramp at 33rd Street now features a 40 foot wide, pre-stressed launch, to replace the old 20 foot wide boat ramp. The parking lot was also repaved and the seawall was repaired. The parking lot and bathroom facility now comply with Americans With Disabilities Act requirements.

An hour later, officials headed across the highway to dedicate another convenience for boaters, a new 1,843 square foot bath and laundry building at the City Marina. The new bath house replaces facilities previously located in the main marina building. The bath house features card keys that allow boaters living in the harbor or on the seawall at the marina to gain access and pay for the laundry machines in the building.

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(visit www.premiere-racing.com)

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The racing challenge is scheduled Jan. 21 to 25.

In its 21st year, Acura Key West 2008, presented by Nautica, is to feature national and international greats from the yachting world. Sailors are expected to hail from at least 20 countries and more than 30 American states.

“We’re pleased to be seeing a really great fleet come together,” event organizer Peter Craig said. “From custom IRC programs and established one-design classes to [Performance Handicap Racing Fleet National Championship] boats seeking the 2008 national championship, it’s going to be an exciting week.” According to regatta organizers, Acura Key West’s primary attractions for race teams include the high level of competition and the opportunity for January sailing in warm subtropical waters.

Competitors are to race on four courses set over a 10-mile stretch of the Atlantic Ocean just off Key West’s shore and inside North America’s only living coral barrier reef, which parallels the Florida Keys. The racing action is slated to begin at 10:30 a.m. daily.

Boats in the high-profile Farr 40 class will be warming up for their 2008 world championship, scheduled three months later in Miami.

World champion Vincenzo Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino is to head an international all-star list that includes 2001 world champion, 2007 Key West champion and America’s Cup winner Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi. In addition, HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark plans to return to Key West with his Nanoq, one of the 17 foreign entries.

Swan 42s are to make their Key West one-design class debut, with 12 of these beautiful and fast boats sure to be a spectacular sight. Makoto Uematsu debuted the Swan 42 last January, winning class honors against 10 other IRC boats.

The international handicap rule, IRC, again is to feature some intriguing new designs. Dan Meyers’ new IRC 68 Numbers and John Brim’s new 55-foot Rima 2 are to battle in IRC 1 along with a unique scratch boat – the swing keel Wally 80 Highland Fling, to be sailed by Irvine Laidlaw.

Slated to join the big boat class is Colm Barrington’s J/V 52 Flash Glove, replacing his IRC 2 winning Ker 50 Magic Glove, and five TP52s. These racing thoroughbreds are coming from the Great Lakes, both U.S. coasts, the United Kingdom and Russia.

Two new smaller designs are to race under the IRC rule: the J/122 Christopher Dragon and the Sllim 37 No Naked Flames from Belfast, Ireland.

In addition, the second Performance Handicap Racing Fleet National Championship is to take place as part of the regatta. In recent years, the PHRF has represented 25 percent to 30 percent of the boats competing in Key West.

The field also is to include weekend sailors eager to test their skills against the sport’s legendary competitors.

Key West’s Historic Seaport is to serve as headquarters for the racing boats and their crews. Sailing aficionados can mingle with crews at the docks before and after the races, and book seats on spectator boats at the site.

For more information and a race schedule, visit http://www.Premiere-Racing.com.

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“Once we took care of that, FEMA was great. They did a great job looking into this and [allowing] me to go ahead and start the project,” Geotis said. FEMA allocated $869,088 toward the ramp’s repair, which Geotis said would cost a total of $905,000. “FEMA is going to be paying for almost the entire project; before, we had half of that and were able to get the balance,” he said.

Geotis said the city is finalizing a contract with Coral Marine Construction, which was the lowest original bidder on the project. The city will replace the current ramp with a double pre-stressed one, remodel the bathroom facilities, place a wooden deck to the left of the ramp and repair the seawall around the ramp. City Manager Mike Puto said the city might contract with an owner of a private ramp to provide public access while the 33rd Street ramp is closed. The city had planned to complete the project prior to season.

Meanwhile, $180,000 in mitigation money from Marlin Bay Yacht Club development earmarked for 33rd Street can now be used to fund repairs at the ramp adjacent to the former Quay property near mile marker 54 bayside. The money must be used toward public water-access projects. “The [state Department of Transportation] is moving ahead with retiring that piece of property to us and we have a commitment from them for $90,000 toward the repair,” Geotis said.

Monroe County had pledged $375,000 over three years toward Quay boat-ramp repairs. Geotis said those funds are still available to the city but will be used for other purposes.

More Florida Keys Boat Ramps.

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A Broward County girl, 16, was recovering from a severe eye injury this week after her personal watercraft ran into mangroves Dec. 29 in Tavernier. Amber Griffin was flown to mainland medical facilities after a mangrove branch impaled her in the eye socket, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report.

A passenger on the borrowed Yamaha Waverunner, Jenna Pompa, 17, was treated and released from Mariners Hospital. Pompa reportedly suffered scrapes and bruises. Griffin was operating the watercraft on the bayside of Tavernier Creek around 2 p.m. Dec. 29, said Bobby Dube, FWC information officer.

The Waverunner reportedly was traveling about 25 mph when it swerved to avoid an anchored boat in a shallow channel off the creek. The boat crashed into the mangroves, when the branch hit Griffin in the eye. Her injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening. Warnings were issued for careless operation, and for a minor operating a vessel without proof of boater education.

2006 REPORTABLE PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ACCIDENTS
• Personal watercraft (PWC) account for 11% of all registered vessels in Florida
(98% privately owned, 2% rentals).
• PWC were involved in 26% of reported boating accidents (174).
• Rental PWCs were involved in 2% of all PWC accidents in 2006.
• The majority of PWC accidents involved a collision with another vessel.
• 37% of PWC accidents were caused by careless/inattention operation.
• 42% of PWC operators involved in an accident were between 22-35 years of age. 26% were 36-50 years of age.
• 16% of total boating fatality victims were on a PWC.
• Over 42% of PWC accidents occurred in Palm Beach, Pinellas, Monroe and Miami-Dade Counties, with Palm Beach ranked number #1 (with 20 accidents)

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This current recovery process (others have been tried but failed) includes creating a channel in front of Legacy by removing the sandy bottom using an auger and pump. The sand is then relocated aft as the yacht moves forward. A series of cables connected to her hull run along the initial path of entry cut in the sea grass (almost a mile long), out to a utility boat, the Helen B. Legacy is pulled several feet at a time by the utility vessel. Miami-based Byrd Commercial Diving is the marine salvage contractor on site. The flotilla of houseboats rafted nearby allows Legacy’s owner and crew to remain close by and keep watch over the recovery.

So instead of official reports on what is happening, we have photos, which indeed speak a thousand words. [To see more, visit http://www.the-triton.com.] Although Legacy appeared to have moved about 1,200 feet by late November, there appears to be at least that much farther still to go. As she inches closer to the edge of the flats, hopefully the water will get deeper and aid in her refloating.

The sand deposits pumped from in front of Legacy appear to be well scattered in the area aft, appearing to create a sandy island. With the concerns of the impact on the local ecosystem, this process appears to be disturbing a large area. Due to sustained wind and/or current conditions, there is a large sand plume leaching out of the yellow containment boom. It was good to see Legacy headed toward freedom, but there will be many questions as to the process and long-term effect on the area. Let’s hope the marine sanctuary as well as Legacy will one day be restored to pre-Wilma condition.

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Key Largo is known as the scuba diving capital of the world, but it also offers a way to experience North America’s only living coral reef without getting wet. Sail aboard the Key Largo Princess, a 70-foot, glass-bottom, 129-passenger yacht to view the exciting underwater world of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the only undersea park in the United States. The Key Largo Princess is located at the Holiday Inn Docks off U.S. Highway 1 at mile marker (MM) 100.

Islamorada, just down U.S. 1 from Key Largo, offers a wide variety of fine restaurants and day spas for sybaritic pampering. For women seeking an all-over tan, the tanning bed can be the large forward couch on Two Chicks Charters’ 26-foot Leisure Cat. The smooth-riding boat accommodates up to six people for an eco-tour to experience the natural beauty of the mangrove islands, an underwater treasure hunt, or a sunset on Florida Bay. Catch the boat at Worldwide Sportsman Bayside Marina, MM 81.5 in Islamorada.

Play by your own rules, don’t just order lobster off the menu — catch it yourself in the waters off Marathon. Captains Szandra Der and Kim Crosby of Starfish Charters provide all the equipment and give passengers the thrill of catching their own fish or lobster from the wide and stable 40-passenger catamaran out of Seadog Marina, MM 47.5 bayside in Marathon. For another on-the-water adventure, form a mom-and-daughter angling team and make reservations for the Ladies Tarpon Tournament, held Mother’s Day weekend out of World Class Angler, 5050 Overseas Highway. The kick-off party starts with wine and champagne and the awards ceremony is a brunch. Captain Donna VanKirk, who has fished the tournament with her own daughter, fell in love with tarpon fishing 20 years ago and made it her career. “Tarpon fishing during the four-hour afternoon tide is perfect for inexperienced anglers,” said VanKirk.

Respecting Individuality Live and let live is the mantra of many Big Pine and Lower Keys residents, whose homes adjoin a preserve protecting the petite Key deer. Come hike trails in the sprawling National Key Deer Refuge and take the opportunity to photograph 22 federally listed endangered and threatened species of plants and animals — five of them found nowhere else in the world. Start at the refuge’s visitor center in the Big Pine Key Shopping Plaza, just off U.S. 1 at MM 30.3 bayside in the Lower Florida Keys.

Nowhere else in the world is it possible to find an elegant escape where free-roaming Key deer sometimes observe diners in a luxurious white-linen-tablecloth habitat. Take a cruise out to the internationally acclaimed private island paradise of Little Palm Island Resort & Spa to stay in a thatched-roof oceanfront bungalow suite, or enjoy a reservations-only brunch and game of life-size chess. The ferry to Little Palm departs from MM 28.5 oceanside on Little Torch Key.

Relax, Reconnect and Rediscover Creativity In Key West, the picturesque southernmost island in the continental U.S., the arts community comes alive. Performers offer year-round billings of live music, dance, drama and even an acclaimed symphony. The buzz is offset by tranquil accommodations at charming bed and breakfasts and resorts. On the Old Town Trolley tour, passengers learn about the island’s unique architecture and quirky history. As for making new friends, try swimming respectfully with wild dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean on one of several tours operated by women.

For a land-based adventure, rediscover the artist within at the Studios of Key West. The facility offers a packed schedule of workshops in writing, visual arts, mixed media, photography, jewelry making and book arts, as well as a free lecture series. The campus is located at the historic Key West Armory in the island city’s Old Town district, 600 White St. Learn, Enrich, Empower Indoors or outdoors, a girls’ getaway vacation can be an enriching experience. Girls don’t just ride on the back of a motorcycle anymore and they don’t have to sit in the back of the boat either. These three programs teach skills and build confidence.

The She’s at Sea series of two-day seminars in Islamorada teaches women how to handle a powerboat. Female instructors provide a non-threatening atmosphere for women to enjoy being in charge of the vessel. She’s at Sea sessions are held in June, November, and December. E-mail info@shesatsea.com for more information.

Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!, billed as the “no-yelling school of fishing” is set for September in Islamorada. Classes teach conservation techniques and skill stations provide practice. Call (954) 475-9068 or e-mail billfishbetty@hotmail.com. Women in the Outdoors is targeting May for the first-ever event held in the Keys. Classes are to include making nature jewelry, Dutch oven cooking, bird watching, fishing, kayaking, outdoor photography and self-defense.

Whether women are traveling solo or with a group, the Florida Keys and Key West offer safe, unique experiences that rejuvenate body, mind and soul.

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