Blog – Tony's Tours

23Jan 2021 by admin

Miami’s Most Popular Sandbar, Haulover Sandbar, Being Removed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Baker’s Haulover Inlet is a man-made inlet, excavated in 1925 to connect Biscayne Bay with the Atlantic Ocean. As a result of creating a man-made inlet, the sand that would have normally replenished the beaches to the south now flows into the inlet instead. This flow from the Atlantic Ocean creates a sandbar in the middle of the intracoastal forming one of Miami’s gems that locals and tourists enjoy together known as the Haulover Sandbar. (https://g.page/hauloversandbar) Unfortunately, on January 21, 2021, Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to take sand from Haulover Sandbar and use it for beach erosion control and hurricane protection in nearby Bal Harbour Beach. The Bal Harbour Beach Renourishment project includes adding more than 200,000 cubic yards of sand along…

26Feb 2020 by admin

Jet Ski Rules and Regulations

Each person operating, riding on, or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear an approved non-inflatable wearable personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable PFDs are prohibited for personal watercraft use. The operator of a personal watercraft must attach the engine cutoff switch lanyard (if equipped by the manufacturer) to his/her person, clothing or PFD. Personal watercraft may not be operated from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, even if navigation lights are used. Remember, both federal and state law requires the use of navigation lights from sunset to sunrise. Maneuvering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably close or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision is classified…

26Feb 2020 by admin

Paddleboard Rules and Regulations

Unless the paddleboard is being used within a “swimming, surfing or bathing area,” the paddleboard must have a USCG-approved life jacket for each person and a sound-producing device on board while on the water. Although persons on the paddleboard are not required to wear the life jacket while on Florida waters (unless they are less than 6 years of age), it is advisable to find a comfortable life jacket that you can wear or easily carry while on the water. A "sound-producing device" is a small whistle or horn that can be heard for a least one-half nautical mile. "Referee-type" whistles or other similar devices that can be attached to your life jacket should work well. If you are operating in limited visibility or at night, you will also need a flashlight…

26Feb 2020 by admin

Water Ski Rules and Regulations

The operator of a vessel towing someone on skis or another aquaplaning device must either have an observer, in addition to the operator, on board who is attendant to the actions of the skier or have and use a wide-angle rear-view mirror. No one may ski or aquaplane between the hours of 1/2 hour past sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise. No one may water ski or use another aquaplaning device unless they are wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved non-inflatable wearable personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable PFDs are prohibited for skiing/aquaplaning. No one may ski or use another aquaplaning device while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. The operator of a vessel towing a skier may not pull the skier close enough to a fixed object or another vessel that…

18Feb 2020 by admin

Boating Safety Requirement Exemptions

The following operators are exempt from the boating requirements: A person licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel. A person operating on a private lake or pond. An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is least 18 years old and possesses the required Boating Safety Education Identification Card, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel. An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is exempt from the educational requirements, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel. A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state. A…

10Feb 2020 by admin

Boater’s Education Questions and Answers (STUDY GUIDE)

Boater’s Education Questions and Answers (Study Guide) By law in the State of Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the FWC or a Florida boater education temporary certificate. 1. Two boats are operating in the same general area. Who is responsible for avoiding a collision? The operator of the smaller vessel 2. What is the best way to avoid overloading your boat? Don't exceed the limits listed on the capacity plate. 3. When you see red flag or buoy with a white diagonal stripe (divers-down symbol), you must: Both A and C 4. Florida…

10Feb 2020 by admin

How to get a temporary boating license in Florida

Go to www.boat-ed.com/floridarental/ from there it is simple you create an account and start the course. The cost of the course is $9.99 this includes access to study materials and unlimited exam attempts. You have the option to study the online course material and take the practice exam or you can go straight to the 25-question Temporary Boating Certification Exam. The exam does not have to be taken all at once. In order to help pass the exam check out our other post on our blog that has a study guide with over 60 questions and answers!(https://www.tonystours.com/2020/02/10/boaters-education-questions-and-answers-study-guide/) The exam should not take longer than 15-30 minutes. Also, you do not have to be a Florida resident to take this exam. It is offered to everyone. Good Luck! After passing with…

06Feb 2020 by admin

How to get a free lifetime boaters license online in Florida

Go to www.boatus.org/florida from there it is simple you create an account and start the course. The BoatU.S. Foundation offers a free NASBLA approved course. When you finish, you can print your certificate on your own printer or order a printed paper certificate or plastic card for a fee. Your boating safety certificate will never expire. It is valid for life. Your permanent Boater Education ID Card will be mailed to you by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 3-4 weeks if you pick that option. The course takes 4 hours to complete and requires constant attention (clicking) throughout. (To take your temporary boating exam, visit https://www.tonystours.com/2020/02/10/how-to-get-a-temporary-boating-license-in-florida/) Sources “Florida Boating Safety Course.” BoatUS Foundation, boatus.org/florida/