PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – A family was able to call for help and stay afloat after their boat capsized because they had the required safety gear aboard, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
A boat capsizing can quickly become dangerous, and having the right equipment ready can help keep a bad situation from getting worse, officials said.
“This family had all they needed to call for help and stay afloat until we arrived,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “It’s far better to have this gear at the ready and not need it than to need it and not have it.”
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Required boating safety equipment includes a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device for each person aboard, a sound-producing device, a visual distress signal and a fire extinguisher, according to the department.
Officials also recommend boaters carry a marine VHF radio and a cellphone as a backup to contact emergency services.
Boaters should check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website for a complete list of required safety equipment based on vessel size.
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