Keep boat parades safe and fun for all
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again! And since it’s the holiday season, boaters across South Florida are gearing up for another year of festive boat parades that will surely be fun for both boaters and spectators who flock to the water to see the magic of the holiday spirit floating past.
This year, the team at Sea Tow Fort Lauderdale is also preparing for the holidays and is getting ready for two boat parades. The first parade, scheduled for Dec. 10, is the 59th Annual Chaos Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade, where we’ll serve as a parade participant. On Dec. 11, we’ll be towing the “12 Dinghies of Christmas” during the Winterfest parade in Fort Lauderdale.
While we’re all excited to participate in these family-friendly parades, we also want to ensure everyone stays safe on the water, whether you are operating one of the parade boats or just watching from your boat or from a location on the shore.
For spectators, we recommend you arrive early to get a great viewing spot so you can enjoy all the parades have to offer. Make sure you check the parade schedule, as many bridges will be locked in the upright position for up to an hour before and after the parade. Ensure you keep your viewing party members together, and be extra mindful of children, as we don’t want them to wander off or fall in the water. If you’re watching from your home, get into the holiday spirit and decorate your porch or patio. The parade participants love to see all of your homes lit up for the holidays! Finally, we want you to get excited and cheer on the parade participants. They’ve put a lot of effort into decorating their boats for you, so let them hear how much you appreciate them!
If you’re participating in the parade, you should attend the captains meeting prior to the parade. This meeting will provide you with valuable information you need to know before setting up your decorations. You’ll find out your boat number and where you need to display it, receive information on safe operating distances between boats, a map of the parade route, designated reporting times and important information from parade officials.
While on the water, boat operators should look out for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards that may be in or near the parade but have limited lighting. Operators should also check their own decorative lighting and ensure the wiring is not frayed and that boat decorations do not interfere with or obscure your navigation lights.
We all want to stay safe on the water, so if you’re observing the parades from a boat, make sure you designate a sober skipper to stay at the helm throughout the parade and be responsible for returning the boat and its passengers to shore after the parade ends. To take the sober skipper pledge, visit www.soberskipper.com. Some other reminders from Sea Tow Fort Lauderdale:
Watch your boat weight, especially if you’re taking on several passengers Wear your life jacket
Be careful navigating at night and chart your route ahead of time as navigation markers you rely on during the day may not be visible
Obey all U.S. Coast Guard-designated safety zones and follow their instructions
In case of a non-emergency, hail “Sea Tow” on VHF Channel 16, call 800-4SEATOW, or use the Sea Tow mobile app for assistance.
We hope you enjoy the parades. And from all of us at Sea Tow Fort Lauderdale and the Sea Tow Foundation, we wish you all a very happy holiday season!
Gail R. Kulp is the executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation, a national nonprofit organization established in 2007 to bring attention to the number of preventable boating-related injuries and deaths by offering education, tools and resources. You can find out more about the Sea Tow Foundation by visiting www.boatingsafety.com.