National Safe Boating Week Post #4

This week we have been focusing on safe boating for National Safe Boating Week if you missed the first 3 post you can read them

Kick Off Post about PFDs (life vests)

Post #2 About EPIRBs and PLBs

Post #3 about Ditch Bags

Today in Post #4 I am going to write about life rafts which are crucial pieces of life saving gear. Also they are the number one defense against becoming shark food if your boat goes down. All right so that is probably not the nicest thing to say but the point is anything can happen!

If your boat sinks or capsizes how will you get out of the water. Did you know, that in addition to being at risk of injury from floating debris or drowning you are at risk of hypothermia even in warm water.

I know people believe that they have unsinkable boats, so did the owners of the Titanic..Remember how that went down (pun intended). Even if a boat is unsinkable it can still capsize. Attempting to hold on the hull of your capsized boat is hard enough but what if the seas are rough or you are injured then it is nearly impossible.

You need a life raft, as with any piece of equipment it does not guarantee you will survive but it improves your chances greatly. Getting out of the water can be crucial to your survival. 

A life raft is not a set it and forget it item either you need to service the raft as the manufacture instructs. The equipment in the life raft is dated and the CO2 cylinder needs to be checked, as that is what makes it so vital the fast inflation in an emergency.

Life rafts come in several options for person capacity, equipment pack and service intervals so don't be afraid to contact a professional like Triad Marine (us) or another life raft sales and service center. A place that services them as well as sells them will ultimately be more knowledgeable about the contents of the raft and how they work. We even offer people Demonstrations and will go through your raft with you the first time you get it serviced.

Be safe when boating buy the gear you need for the voyages you make. Ask for help in making the choices if you are unsure. Make choices with the worst in mind and the the best is even better.

Remember even the smallest craft like a canoe or kayak needs safety gear, so as the boat grows the list of safety gear should grow with it.

National Safe Boating Week Post 3

Ditch Bags...
Every boat big and small needs some kind of safety gear and there are ditch bags for all purposes, they come in different sizes and shapes.
Consider if you have a small vessel or even a canoe or kayak you need to have identification and at the very least a signal mirror but a PLB is optimal for small vessels.
You may consider a document pouch style bag that will hold those items.
If you have a larger vessel we suggest building the best bag for your boating needs, consider the number of persons on the boat, the distance you will travel from shore, the length of the trip and other equipment already on board the vessel.
Some basic items to consider are as follows
Flares (USCG)
Signal Mirror (we always suggest Coast Guard Approved equipment)
Fishing Kit
Sea Sick Pills
Floating Flash Light
Strobe Light
Batteries and Spares
Water (the packets we put in the life raft store easily)
Food (We suggest the same  kind we put into the life rafts)
First Aid (as much as your skills allow for proper use)
PLB or EPIRB
VHF Radio
Identification and other documents (at least copies)
Sea Sick Bags
Dye Marker or Rescue Streamer
Sunscreen
Bug Repellent
Any Prescription Medication taken by members of the crew
Isothermal Blankets

Just remember when packing a ditch bag that it will be your resources should your boat sink or capsize. You need one and you need to make sure it is packed properly for each trip.
It never hurts to double check the dates and contents 2-3 times per year. Don't let it become a set it and forget it boating item.

For more information on packing a great Ditch Bag contact Triad Marine.

                                                                  Perfect for small Boats

National Safe Boating Week Post #2

Today for National Safe Boating Week we are going to talk about EPIRBs and PLBs. An EPIRB stands for Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon and PLB stands for Personal Locator Beacon. Both EPIRBs and PLBs operate on the 406 MHz signal using the same COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite system, which is directly monitored by Search and Rescue Personnel. 


Different boaters will have a different need when it comes to choosing an EPIRB or PLB, although both units operate the same way there are key differences in each unit. EPIRBs have a longer battery life and they are designed to float upright in the water when tethered to a person or life raft. You can get and EPIRB in an automatic and manual activation model. PLBs will have a lower battery operating time and will all be manual activation. The good thing about a PLB is the size and potability you can take with you for all of your land based adventures as well. 


When choosing the right EPIRB or PLB remember to stay away from gadget devices, remember only a device that operates on the 406MHz signal is an EPIRB or PLB. These will be the only units using the COSPAS-SARSAT system and monitored by rescue authorities. While gadgets have a place and a purpose but should not be your only signaling source for emergencies. 


Coast Guard Rescues 3 They had a PLB


Here are Other posts about PLBs


PLBs are not Gadgets 


If you missed the Kick off to National Safe Boating Week find it Here 


There is no doubt that EPIRBs and PLBs save lives, they also cut down on search and rescue time as well as the expense. 


If you are injured or in the water you want the Rescue Authorities there as soon as possible.


Here is a good note from the Coast Guard about upgrading to an EPIRB or PLB with a GPS signal built into the unit.

National Safe Boating Week Kick Off

Lets kick off National Safe Boating Week in style ... Today was wear your Life Jacket to work day ...
Also Saturday is Ready Set Inflate Day 

I did not wear mine to work but I can see some inflatable PFDs from my desk that are for sale if you need to stop by Triad Marine and get one to wear to work. Did you know the most important place to wear a life jacket is in the boat! If you are not wearing it then it simply can't save you from drowning. Make sure to check the life jacket laws in your state.

You can find the Texas Laws here


"70% of all boating Deaths are from Drowning, and 90% of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket."  This fact comes to you from the U.S Coast Guard Facebook Fan Page

There are many types of Life Jackets which are sometimes called PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices), choosing the right one for you and your activities in accordance with the laws is really important. Never feel you have to go this alone, reach out to your local marine retailers. If you can't find it locally take to the web, even though we are in Texas we answer questions from all over the country. Why? Because Triad Marine and our employees care about people being informed.

I am a big fan of the inflatable PFDs just because they are so comfortable.

Yes that is me showing off a stylish, comfortable, Pink Mustang Survival Inflatable PFD 

Feel Free to Snag this picture and use it for all of your Social Media Profile Pictures we did!

Be Safe Wear Your Life Jacket 

Make sure everyone on your boat wears one too

Make sure it fits properly

Make sure it is in working condition

Enjoy the time on your boat!

Sold Boats for the Week

Today we delivered 2 boats from 2 different manufactures for 2 totally different purposes. Inflatable boats just have that sort of versatility.

This is an Achilles SG156 Inflatable Boat that will be used by a Fire Department in Magnolia Texas.

This boat typically comes open and is used with a tiller handle motor, but at Triad Marine we can customize your inflatable boat to meet your needs. We added a jockey style console seat with remote steering for the motor. We hope this boat has many good years on the water working because that is what it is for.

The next boat to leave the store sold is a Zodiac Pro Open 650

This boat will be used as a coaching boat for kids that sail, not by the sailing organization but by their parents. The mom plans to use it to capture good pictures of the kids doing their thing.

The boat is 21'4" and is powered by a Yamaha F150 Outboard Motor. This boat will be fast, stable, and fuel efficient. It will not require a large tow vehicle and can also be used for some family fun.

The removable tube set on this boat makes it a real winner as it can be replaced if needed and it can be removed for repair if a customer lives far away from here. They would be able to ship just the tube set using UPS or Fed Ex rather than bringing the whole boat.

Meet "Jibby" as it will be called

Happy Boating "Jibby"