Read PDF - Southwinds Magazine

U.S. Coast Guard Releases BoatingFatalities Statistics for 2004:Lowest Since 1960The U.S. Coast Guard recently announced that the totalfatalities resulting from recreational boating accidentsdeclined to 676, the lowest on record since 1960.However, 484 boaters drowned in 2004, and 90 percentof those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket.While fatalities from boating accidents are decreasing,wearing a life jacket is still key to surviving an accident.The new statistics indicate a steady drop when comparedwith 750 fatalities reported in 2002 and 703 fatalitiesin 2003. For the full story go to the US SAILINGWeb site, http://www.uscgboating.org/waypoints/nov05/art1_fatalities.htmseveral days or a few hours as if they owned the vesselthemselves. Pinnacle Yachts also offers comprehensivetraining programs for members new to yachting or forthose who wish to enhance their skills prior to taking thehelm on their own. Scheduling and maintenance tasks aremanaged by the company’s professional staff aided by thefirm’s advanced, proprietary technology.Founded in 1998, Pinnacle Yachts was the first companyto offer shared-yacht programs. To learn more, visit thecompany’s Web site at www.pinnacleyachts.com.Dry Tortugas and EvergladesParks Reopen After ExtensiveHurricane DamageDry Tortugas National Park reopened in November aftersuffering major damage from Hurricane Wilma. Parts of thebrick structure at Fort Jefferson will probably remain closedtemporarily because of visitor safety.Parts of Everglades National Park were severely damaged,particularly the visitor center in Flamingo, which sufferedan eight-foot storm surge. Some parts of the park atFlamingo will be closed for several more months. Fuel isnot now available in Flamingo, and park officials discourageuse of the waterways in the area until navigation markerscan be replaced and channels checked for shifting bottomsand underwater hazards.Conditions are changing daily as repairs proceed, andupdates are available for both parks at (305) 242-7700.Pinnacle Yachts Opens Base in TampaBay With Shared-Yacht ProgramPinnacle Yachts Inc., offering shared sail and power yachts,announced in December the opening of its newest base atthe Harborage Marina in St. Petersburg, FL. The Harborageis the company’s ninth base of operations in the UnitedStates. The company currently has bases in Miami,Manhattan, Stamford, Boston, Detroit, Annapolis, Seattleand Chicago.For an all-inclusive annual lease fee, members in itsshared-yacht program make private use of new 34- to 40-foot Jeanneau sailboats or Sea Ray power yachts, withoutthe high cost or obligations of ownership. With local day-todayaccess to their yachts, members may cruise for a week,News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS January 2006 27