Safety — Tampa Bay
Write local safety and navigation cards for Tampa Bay captains.
Tampa Bay-Specific Hazards
- •Bunces Pass bar — shifts seasonally. Can be as shallow as 2' at low tide. Favor mid-high tide
- •Manatee zones — idle/slow speed zones throughout the bay, especially near passes and marinas. Year-round but enforced heavily Nov–Mar
- •Afternoon thunderstorms — May through October. Lightning capital of the US. Be off the water by 2-3 PM or watch radar closely
- •Shipping channel — deep-draft vessels have right of way. Stay clear of the main channel near Port Tampa/MacDill
- •Bridge spans — know your clearance. Skyway (175' center span), Gandy (44'), Howard Frankland (44'), Courtney Campbell (29')
- •Crab trap floats — everywhere Oct–May. Watch for lines near your prop
Navigation Tips
- •Follow markers in passes — cutting corners = running aground
- •Tampa Bay is shallow. Average depth ~12'. Flats can be 1-3' at low tide
- •Johns Pass (north of Tierra Verde) is tight and has strong current
- •GPS charts are approximate — visual navigation matters in shallow water
Card Types
- •Navigation hazard alert — specific hazard, where, when it's worst
- •Storm safety — lightning protocol, what to do if caught out
- •Seasonal safety — manatee season reminders, crab trap season
- •First-timer navigation — how to read the bay if you're new
Port32 Tie-ins
- •Valet team can advise on current conditions at launch
- •Covered storage protects from storm damage
- •Marina staff knows local conditions — ask before heading out