Save the Manatee Club knows a big weekend is coming. “Remembrance Day is usually when a lot of extra boaters are out, a lot of water activity,” Executive Director Patrick Rose said. With the weather nice and warm, both Manatees and boaters will be out . Many manatees have unfortunately already been victims of a collision with a boat. “Most living manatees have been marked by an encounter with a boat, so it’s very important to watch out for them,” Rose said. The Save the Manatee Club is a partner of National Safe Boating Week, which is the week leading up to Memorial Day. They ask all boaters to exercise caution. By knowing the speed zones, they are ready to give the manatees a fighting chance. Whirlpools in the water can mean that a manatee has just been submerged. Boaters are asked to leave space for manatees and manatee sanctuaries and to wear polarized sunglasses. “If they’re wearing polarized sunglasses, it gives them an even better chance of seeing in the water, if the water is clear enough where they’re standing,” Rose said. grasses with food for the manatees, reduce your speed.”Do not cross the seagrass beds at high speed, as the manatees may rest or feed in these areas,” Rose mentioned.Save the Manatee Club offers signs free warning signs, some to let boaters know if you’ve spotted a manatee that others might not see, others to post at waterfronts frequented by manatees. even more vulnerable to boats. Even in normal healthy condition. They will try to get out of the way, but those who might be malnourished or in pain will have a harder time. You can imagine if you were already injured and sick and that you If you got into a crash car, it would be that much harder to get out of it,” Rose said. If you see an injured or sick manatee, you are encouraged to report it to the state at 888-404-3922 or 888-404-FWCC.
Save the Manatee Club knows a big weekend is coming.
“Memorial Day is usually when a lot of extra boaters are out, where there’s a lot of boating activity,” Chief Executive Patrick Rose said.
With the nice and warm weather, manatees and boaters will be out.
Many manatees have unfortunately already been victims of collisions with boats.
“Most living manatees have been marked by an encounter with a boat, so it’s very important to watch out for them,” Rose said. The Save the Manatee Club is a partner in National Safe Boating Week, which is the week leading up to Memorial Day.
They ask all boaters to exercise caution.
By knowing the speed zones, they are ready to give the manatees a fighting chance.
Whirlpools in the water may signify a recently submerged manatee.
Boaters are asked to leave space for manatees and manatee sanctuaries and to wear polarized sunglasses.
“If they’re wearing polarized sunglasses, it gives them an even better chance of seeing in the water, if the water is clear enough where they’re standing,” Rose said.
If there are enough grasses with manatee food, reduce your speed.
“Don’t cross seagrass beds at high speed because manatees might be resting or feeding in those areas,” Rose said.
Save the Manatee Club offers free warning signs, some to let boaters know if you’ve spotted a manatee others might not see, others to post at waterfronts frequented by manatees.
Manatees struggling with nutrition are even more vulnerable to boats.
“There are manatees even in normal, healthy condition. They will try to get away, but those who might be malnourished or in pain will have a harder time. You can imagine if you were already injured and sick, and you had a car accident yourself, it would be a lot harder to get out of it,” Rose said.
If you see an injured or sick manatee, you are encouraged to report it to the state at 888-404-3922 or 888-404-FWCC.
