Explorer's Guide Maritime Training

Fall is here and winter is not far away. At the Central Wisconsin Fall Outdoor Show in Wausau last weekend, the question can up about acceptable flotation gear for fall fishing. My first suggestion was the classic survival (immersion or “Gumby”) suit. In fact, we had a little contest (during Packer-Ram game halftime)  just to see who could put an immersion suit on the quickest. Needless to say, this captain did not make the top of the list. Check out our photos of the competition below. And thanks to all the good sports who participated.

But the question deserves a serious answer. First, the type three life jackets worn by most people are not the best choice from my point of view. They are designed for quick rescue. If you are alone and in cold water, a quick rescue is not a reality. After the first 10 minutes in the cold water, you will have trouble keeping your head out of the water. With the onset of hypothermia, drowning is close at hand.

The second alternative is self-inflating life jackets. They are designed to auto inflate should you fall overboard or be ejected from the boat. They are built to a high standard and designed to ensure your head is kept out of the water. Even with the onset of hypothermia, there is a chance your face will be kept out of the water. The only problem is, they offer no protection from hypothermia. The cost for these life jackets is around $125, depending on the manufacturer.

This brings up a third alternative. These are the new floating snowmobile suits which include bib and jacket. They provide both floatation and some thermal protection – almost as good as the classic “Gumby” immersion suit. The one drawback, again, is that these suits do not keep your head out of the water. I suggest wearing an inflatable life vest over, never under, the snowmobile jacket for added protection. Another drawback – the cost for both bibs and jacket can be up to $500.

The key to keeping safe while enjoying your fall and winter activities is to be prepared for the “just-in-case” situations. The cost for this protection may sound a little steep, but really, what is your life worth?

Take care and have a safe and enjoyable trip in our great outdoors.

Capt Gary

P.S. One final thought, “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William A. Ward

TEACHING POINT: In the pictures below, what does the orange sign with the large exclamation point mean? Answer – it’s a daytime inland distress signal.

Capt. Gary of Explorer's Guide demonstrates putting on an immersion suit.

And the transformation from Capt. Gary to Capt. Gumby is complete.

Barry Klatt of MidWest Outdoors takes up the challenge.

Difficulty zipping up with gigantic hands.

Gumby #2 is a little bit faster.

Another MidWest Outdoors Rep tries his luck.

Maybe if I sit down first...

Gumby #3 - younger and faster.

Ladies didn't want to be outdone.

And the winner is...Ms. Gumby in 32 seconds.

Well, I can tell autumn is here, even without the calendar. Here in Wisconsin, the geese have been flying south, the leaves are starting to turn colors, the kids are back in school, and marinas are busy pulling boats out of the water and getting them ready for winter storage.

For my part, I think the geese have something. Flying south for the winter sounds like a pretty good idea, especially when Wisconsin winter storms dump 12+ inches overnight. (I don’t like shoveling.) So, I’ve been talking with the staff here at Explorer’s Guide about doing a “Destination” Captain’s class – an OUPV class done in a blended format (40 hours online, 16 hours classroom) at a nice warm destination. While the students are in the 2 day, 16 hour classroom instruction, their families can relax and see the sights. In the evening, students regroup with the families for a host of fun-filled activities.

We went looking for opportunities. And this is where we’re going to start on this venture . . .

Explorer’s Guide Maritime Training will offer its first destination USCG-approved OUPV class in conjunction with the International Boating and Safety Summit at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego, CA on March 2-3, 2012. WOO HOO! Prospective students should sign up for this class prior to Jan. 16, 2012 so they have enough time to complete the online portion prior to arriving in San Diego.  Call us at (800) 487-6029 or go online at: www.mycaptainsclass.com.  We’ll provide more details later.

One final thought . . . “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Have a great day!

Brenda

The State of Florida is taking a tougher stance on some ongoing problems with mariners.  Boaters should be forewarned to practice no trace boating, especially around seagrass beds in the state’s aquatic preserves. Any mariner caught damaging the delicate ecosystem will be subject to hefty fines.

Abandoned boats on Florida’s waterways are also coming under closer scrutiny by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. As the economy has worsened, and boaters are having difficulty keeping up mounting payments on pleasure craft, many more abandoned boats are littering Florida’s shores. The FWC now requires all boats that are operated, used, or stowed on Florida’s waterways  to be titled, registered, and numbered. Only boats that are lawfully stored at a marina and not taken out on the water are exempt.

For more information on these and other newer maritime regulations in Florida, read on.  http://www.floridasportsman.com/2011/09/16/new-boating-rules-from-the-fwc/