You can’t go to the Everglades without a ride on an airboat! It’s iconic! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Think of an airboat ride as an adventure through a mysterious wetland. Airboats are fun to ride, but throughout the years, there have been airboat accidents, just like there are car accidents. Accidents happen, but if you equip yourself with the proper safety knowledge and ride with a reputable company, like Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours, you will have a safe trip.
Captain Mitch has been in the airboat tour business since he was little. He has more than 30 years of experience chartering through the Everglades and prides himself on taking people on fun and safe airboat tours.
On an airboat tour, airboat captains will instruct passengers on safety precautions before departing. Here are the safety measures and guidelines that airboats must meet, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to help insure an airboat trip will be a safe experience:
- Propeller Safety – No person is allowed near the propeller. All items and equipment must be secured, so they do not get caught in the propeller.
- Safety Equipment – Airboats must be equipped with ear protection, eye protection, first-aid kid, cell phone in a water-proof buoyant case, drinking water and a B-1 type approved fire extinguisher.
- Pre-Operation Checklist – Before leaving, the captain will check the boat to make sure everything is working properly to avoid accidents, injuries, and mechanical breakdowns.
- Weather – Weather is unpredictable, so the airboat captains make themselves aware of the weather forecast and keep an eye on it throughout the day. For lightning, high wind, and thunderstorms, airboats will be docked. Airboats can operate during fog, but will go slower and turn on strobe lights.
- Navigation – Airboat captains are trained in proper maneuvering and navigation techniques to get through tight areas and blind spots. They also know the airboat routes like the back of their hand and can report their location in case of an emergency. Airboat captains are also looking out for obstacles in the way whether wildlife, other boats, plant life or other obstructions.
- Preventative maintenance – Each week, captains will work on keeping the airboat clean and working efficiently, by checking and maintaining the propeller, exhaust system, oil, engines and more.
If you’re looking for a fun and safe airboat trip, come out with Captain Mitch’s Everglades Airboat Tours. To schedule an airboat tour, click our Everglades airboat ride page or contact Captain Mitch’s Everglades Airboat Tours at 800-368-0065.
