JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of boaters are expected to be out on the water as the Memorial Day weekend wraps up, and officials are continuing to warn boat captains to put safety first.
At marinas and boat ramps across the First Coast Sunday morning, captains were setting sail to honor the Memorial Day holiday.
With a least one capsized boat in the area so far, officials are warning boat captains to put safety first as we head into the final days of the holiday weekend.
“If you have a boat, now is prime time," said Captain Gilman, who was boating with family. “The waters can be pretty mean sometimes, especially around the intracoastal.”
The Coast Guard is encouraging boat owners to make sure they have safety equipment aboard their vessels in the case of any emergencies.
Saturday morning, officials rescued two people three miles off St. Augustine Beach after their 80-foot yacht hit an object and became partially submerged. One person was taken to the hospital.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a list of required safety equipment for vessels depending on vessel size. Things like life jackets for everyone on board, a Visual Distress Signal, a Sound-Producing Device and more.
“You should have everything the FWC requires you to have," Frank said.
It's equipment that many boat captains say they don’t leave the marina without.
“The water is great, it’s just hot in Florida," Frank said.