Three missing boaters from Tampa Bay have still not been located after several days. The captain’s wife reported the passengers and vessel overdue to the U.S. Coast Guard, but armed with only the boat’s description and an approximate location that covers 5,500 square miles, the Coast Guard rightly concluded they didn’t have enough information to begin a search. Unfortunately, as each day passes, the outlook for the missing boaters grows grimmer.

Don’t let this be you. Smart boaters anticipate the best, but plan for the worst. In my experience, the overdue cases that ended in success were the result of thoughtful boaters who filed float plans with their friends and loved ones. Find out how to file a float plan with the information the Coast Guard needs to increase the odds of a safe rescue.

Photo © U.S. Coast Guard