It’s Manatee season! ~Dolphin Dani

It’s the beginning of Manatee Season! Manatee season is from April 1 – Nov 15. No, that is NOT when you can hunt manatees! It is when manatees are more likely to be out in the waters. They need warmer waters and by April, most of the water is warmed up enough for them to start spreading out. From our anchor spot, just south of Redfish Pass, we see them every day. We also see boaters flying through the same water, not caring about what they might be running over. Starting yesterday, April 1, the idle zone around our boat was extended a lot thanks to the Manatee Protection Zone established by Florida Fish and Wildlife. For more information about area zones, check out this FWC link. FWC Manatee Protection Zones 

My mom helped me put this video together (since I’m still learning how to use the video software ). We took some video of some manatees that were at the yacht marina where my dad works. I recognized one of the manatees by her scars. Last year, there was a mother and her baby that were hit by a boat in our area. They were rehabilitated at Miami Seaquarium and released in that same marina. So check out my video and let me know what you think. I know the water is pretty dirty but the manatee’s where having so much fun that they stirred up all the sediment! And if you’re a boater and live around manatee areas, please take the extra time to slow down. You just might save a manatee’s life!

Manatees ~by Dolphin Dani

~Dolphin Dani

March Madness ~ The Admiral

We’ve had such a busy month, this is the first time I’ve had to sit down and write. The big news of late is that we have our full crew on board! Welcoming Mate Brandon and Commodore Peggy, who will be staying for a couple months. Brandon was only able to squeeze in his week of spring break from school but any time he can visit is a blessing. So needless to say, we’re pushing the limits on this old 41’ but she’s working just fine with all of us here.

B at the helm

We decided to leave the safety and expense of the marina and anchor off Captain’s resort job for awhile. His commute just went from 90 minutes to a 2 minute dingy ride! Not too shabby. Our trip down river was great, No Más ran beautifully and we didn’t run into any trouble. Mate Brandon was even able to take the helm and Dolphin Dani was able to make full use of the hammock turned swing!

Dolphin Dani in the hammock swing

Once securely anchored off Captiva in Roosevelt Channel, the manatees were quick to welcome us! We had about 6 all swimming around our boat, checking out the new guy. Here's some footage B managed to get of them.

Manatees greeting us at anchor spot

We have been busing playing all week and instead of writing about it, I’ll just post some pictures we took.
Safe seas and God Bless.
~The Admiral



Commodore Gram with the grandkids

March Madness VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Manatees ~Jurassic Jake

If you have ever spent time in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean around Florida, then you’re sure to know what Manatees are. If not, here is a little information about them. The average manatee can grow up to 10 feet in length. They move very slow and are nicknamed the River Cow. A 1000 pound manatee can eat 100-150 pounds of river vegetation. Manatees are on the endangered list so please be a responsible boater when powering through waters where manatees may live. The main threat to manatees is speeding motor boats and they bear the scars of the accidents if they survive. Other threats are pollution and red tide.

 I have had two close encounters with manatees, one was in our old marina, my sister nearly touched him and the second time we were at Fort Meyer’s Beach, we were in our dinghy and we snuck up on a manatee without even knowing it. The manatee got scared and burst at top speed and he scared us just as much. The main threat to manatees is speeding motor boats and they bear the scars of the accidents if they survive. Other threats are pollution and red tide.

Here are a couple pictures of a release last year of a mother and her child. We got to talk to the vet who took care of them both. She told us their story. The mother was hit by a powerboat and nearly died. She gave birth to her baby at Miami Seaquarium, where they were rehabilitating them. They released them off the coast of Captiva Island in SW Florida.

~Jurassic Jake