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Yacht Club Preps Boaters for Emergencies

By C&RB Staff | January 22, 2024

The Longboat Harbour Yacht Club in Longboat Key, Fla. has collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard on a boating safety education series for club members. The first class, “Suddenly in Command,” covered the basics that boating beginners need to know if they are in an emergency situation and need to take control, such as using a boat radio, calling for help, or using a chart to plot a course.

The Longboat Harbour Yacht Club in Longboat Key, Fla. is taking all measures to ensure the safety of its members.

New Commodore Jeff Hecklau and Vice Commodore John Harkness have collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard on a boating safety education series for club members, the Observer reported. The first class, “Suddenly in Command,” took place Jan. 11 at the Longboat Harbour Recreation Center with around 60 attendees. USCG Flotilla Commander Peter Russell and Flotilla Service Officer John Ashcraft led the class.

“The Coast Guard Auxiliary actually has a fleet of volunteers that patrol the waters,” said Hecklau. “They do boat inspections and all sorts of different things. They also have an education group that does classes. This first class called ‘Suddenly in Command’ is specifically if the skipper of the boat becomes incapacitated for any reason: they fall overboard, they’re having a heart attack or a stroke, whatever it might be. What does the person who’s with them do if they aren’t an experienced boater?”

“Suddenly in Command” covered the basics that boating beginners need to know if they are in an emergency situation like this, such as using a boat radio, calling for help, or using a chart to plot a course.

“[The class] was a very well thought out, informative presentation,” said resident Tony Pupo. “We never think about worst-case scenarios like this, and now we are prepared. Everything was covered from the type of radio and distress signals to have onboard to designating a person to be in charge. This was an evening well spent for our families and our community.”

The Coast Guard plans to host a full boat safety class in March that will help people get their boating safety certification, which helps lower people’s insurance costs, the Observer reported. The Coast Guard also hosted a boat and kayak inspection in Jan. 20 to make sure that all boats are up to date on safety protocols.

Other future classes will include knot tying and kayak and paddleboard safety. Most classes are free of charge for Yacht Club members, except for the boater certification class, the Observer reported. Hecklau said that they were interested in exploring safety and education topics relating to sailing as well.

“The message of this class for other communities is that the Coast Guard is absolutely willing to run a similar program. It is the perfect collaboration to ensure safety on our docks,” said Hecklau.

This series is the first order of business under the new commodores’ term, which began Jan. 1, the Observer reported. The new leadership was recognized with a “change of watch” ceremony on Jan. 20, which is an annual tradition for the yacht club.

“Whether it be kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats or motorboats, our No. 1 goal is their safety, and also the safety of the harbor and our community as a whole,” said Hecklau. “For instance, we’re doing that knot-tying class in a couple of weeks. If a boat is not tied up correctly, it certainly could endanger that particular boat, but if it gets loose, it could damage other boats. It could sink and cause an environmental problem, which would then go down a whole different path. Our goal is always safety of boaters, first and then safety of our facilities and our boats themselves.”

For more on boating safety, read: What Safety Protocols Should Boaters Follow When They’re on the Water? and How Can Yacht Clubs Keep Boaters Safe on the Water?

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Sarasota’s premier destination for discerning boat enthusiasts

Dock your boat at the largest resort marina on the west coast of Florida at the Resort at Longboat Key Club Moorings, a full-service, deep-water marina with 291 slips that can accommodate up to 150-foot vessels. As a designated “Clean Marina” by the state of Florida, we are recognized for our innovative environmentally friendly practices, and offer a host of maintenance and concierge services, including a 24-hour manned guard gate, fuel dock with pump-out services, and exceptional amenities from slip electricity and wifi to showers.

2630 Harbourside Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228

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The Yacht Group is the official yacht brokerage partner of Longboat Key Club Moorings and offers premier resources for those looking to purchase or sell a quality yacht. For those looking to sell their vessel, we offer extensive yacht marketing services. The Yacht Group is also an active member of YachtWorld, the number one yacht brokerage network on the Internet, ensuring your listing gets the attention of your preferred buyer. Please contact The Yacht Group at Longboat Key Club Moorings at 866.375.5781 (toll-free) or locally at  941.383.8383  to discuss your yacht buying and selling needs.

Longboat Key Club Moorings offers discerning yacht owners the option of individual equity ownership of our deep-water yacht slips. Our prime Sarasota location on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast is only matched by our AAA Four-Diamond resort amenities package, which includes leisure activities as well as cultural and social events.

A limited number of equity ownership yacht slips are currently available at Longboat Key Moorings. Purchasing a slip at today’s prices lets you enjoy guaranteed dockage at a predictable cost. Owning not only enables you to build equity, it allows you to gain rental income while you are not using your slip. As deep-water luxury slips become a fast-disappearing resource, investing in a slip at Longboat Key Club Moorings can add a handsome dividend to your yachting lifestyle.

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Please contact jennifer wilson, lic. re broker at the marina for a complete list of slips for sale, 941-809-7592 or [email protected] thank you., 56-65 foot slips for sale, 66-150 foot slips for sale.

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To make the most of your long term slip rental, The Longboat Key Club Moorings offers a resort-style swimming pool, hot tub, tennis court, complimentary bicycles, locker rooms, van service, and portside dining at Portofino Ristorante & Bar as well as four other elevated restaurants and lounges. You and your family are also welcome to enjoy the many services and amenities of The Resort at Longboat Key Club.

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Longboat Key Club Moorings offers short and long term rentals for all your vessel’s needs. Our deep-water Sarasota marina can accommodate vessels up to 150 feet and each slip features electricity, water services and Wireless Internet in addition to the luxurious amenities available at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.

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The Federation works in partnership with our members to educate and inform in matters relating to events on Longboat Key, condominium governance and preservation of value.

                                     History of the Federation:                                                    

 The Longboat Key Federation of Condominiums was founded in August 1973.  The first meeting was  held at Spanish  Main on August 18, 1973. Meetings were held every other month, and dues were $15.00 per year.

  There were 14 members:  Bay Harbour, Beach Harbour Club, Islands West, Longboat Harbour Owners,  Longboat Arms, Longboat Harbour Towers, Longboat Key Towers, Pelican Harbor, Privateer North, Privateer South, Sea Gate Club, Spanish Main Yacht Club, Westchester Beach Association, and

  Whitney Beach II.

  The first revision of the Bylaws was issued on March 20, 1976.

  Governor Askew signed Title XL, Chapter 718, Condominiums, into law, which became effective January 1, 1976.

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Merioneth Yacht Club

The Merioneth Yacht Club is a not for profit Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) founded in 1937. The clubhouse is ideally located in the historic Barmouth Harbour area and has the most incredible views of the harbour and Mawddach Estuary.  Visitors are welcome to enjoy our facilities.   

 The club objective is to encourage and enable the participation in water-based sports and recreation for people of all ages and abilities in Barmouth, Merioneth and beyond. In line with these objectives the club offers a growing range of activities and facilities.

The club water sport opportunities include:

Dinghy sailing

Celtic longboat rowing

Kayaking & canoeing

Safety support

The management and sponsorship of local events such as the Paddlefest , two days of fun and activity in and around the harbour. All funds raised during this event are given to local charities. Our main charity is Hope House & Ty Gobaith, a childrens hospices that support local families

The club also operate and maintain the very popular Barmouth Webcams . A fantastic place to keep an eye on our beautiful surroundings. 

The club also offers a number of facilities and social events including:

A training room with an associated range of training courses in support of water-based activities

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The club has a rich history which can be read about here .

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