Airboat Safety During COVID-19 Pandemic  

covid-19Safety is important with everything in life, especially with the current worldwide pandemic going on. At Captain Mitch’s Everglades Private Airboat Tours, we offer private tours on private land.  

We will be returning to our roots of private tours as a result of COVID-19 (coronavirus)We are continuing to monitor COVID-19 and we want you to know we are committed to helping stop the spread of this virus. We are a family owned business, for your safety and the safety of our employees we are diligently sanitizing our facility and equipment multiple times per day.  

We will offer private group tours at $50 per person, plus tax (four-person minimum). Reservations are suggested and coupons are NOT valid on private tour. 

Going on a private airboat tour is a great way to get outside while social distancing and having fun.  It’s aexperience that you’ll never forget 

 Airboats are fun to ride, but accidents can occur just like in a car, kayak, boat, train, bicycle, ride, or any other moving vehicle or vessel.  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, our 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 ensure an airboat trip will be a safe experience: 

  1. Propeller Safety – No one is allowed near the propeller. All items and equipment must be secured, so they do not get caught in the propeller. 
  1. Safety Equipment – Airboats must be equipped with ear protection, eye protection, first-aid kitcell phone in a water-proof buoyant case, drinking water and a B-1 type approved fire extinguisher. 
  1. 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. 
  1. Weather – Weather is unpredictable, so the airboat captains keep an eye on the weather forecast throughout the day. When it comes to lightning, high wind, and thunderstorms, airboats will be docked. Airboats can operate during fog but will go slower and turn on strobe lights. 
  1. 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.  While steering the airboat, the airboat captains also look out for obstacles such as wildlife, other boats, plant life or other obstructions to stay away from. 
  1. Preventative maintenance – Every week, captains work hard to keep the airboat clean and working efficiently. They check and maintain the propeller, exhaust system, oil, engines. and more. 

If you’re looking for a fun and safe airboat trip, during or post pandemic, 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. 

Captain Mitch’s Everglades Private Airboat Tours  is open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).