Tech Tips to Help Tampa Bay Boaters Stay Safe

Florida is the leading state in the nation for boating deaths, according to the U.S. Coast Guard 2015 Recreational Boating Safety Statistics, with 52 deaths in a year. Florida also leads the nation in reported boating accidents, with 671 accidents in a year.

With this being National Safe Boating Week (May 20-26), and many in Tampa Bay expected to be on boats during Memorial Day weekend, AT&T is sharing some safe boating tech ideas to make your next boating adventure a safe one:

U.S. Coast Guard Mobile App: This free app provides information most commonly requested by boaters. It provides a safety equipment checklist, free boating safety check requests, navigation rules, the ability to file a float plan, and more. When your location services are enabled, you can receive the latest weather reports from the closest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather buoys. This app also features an Emergency Assistance button, which, with location services enabled, will call the closest Coast Guard command center.

MyRadar NOAA Weather Radar, Forecasts & Storms: This free app is a must-have for boaters. The weather app displays animated weather radars around your current location so you can see what kind of weather is coming your way. The hi-def animated radar helps you see weather details at the closest level. On top of the basic weather forecast, users can get a quick glance of temperatures around the country, as well as overlay a current satellite image of cloud cover. Additional options include weather warnings and alerts, complete with push notifications, to warn you of severe weather in your area. There's also an optional hurricane tracker, providing excellent details and projections for the path of storms.

Fast Charge Portable Battery Pack: Don’t take the chance of your smartphone battery dying while you’re out on the ocean. Make sure you have a fast charge portable battery pack for your smartphone, like the Samsung Fast Charge Portable Battery. It provides up to 2 full charges from 0 – 100% on most of the latest smartphones.

Goal Zero Torch 250 Light and Backup Battery: Every boater should have a flashlight handy for overnight trips, and this accessory offers one of the most reliable emergency LED lights for any situation. The Torch 250 Flashlight has a built-in USB charging cable, solar pane, and hand crank for bright light anywhere. It also has a red light for emergencies and a USB port to charge your smartphone. The flashlight has a run time of 7-48 hours.

LifeProof FRE Phone Case: Of course, you want to make sure your smartphone works when you need it most, so consider getting a waterproof phone case, like the LifeProof FRE phone case. It’s waterproof, dirt-proof, snow-proof, and drop-proof. You may also want to consider getting a floating phone case in case you accidentally drop your phone overboard or find yourself in a sinking boat.