Upcoming Cruises

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December Sailing South! Target Destination is Florida Keys / Dry Tortugas - This cruise cruise falls on the Adventure Category, it is a free format cruise. It requires each Captain to plan routes, destination and weather routing. Please Sign up in the calendar so we can plan and coordinate together. Take a look at some of the route options, there will be a Captain's meeting closer to the departure date to discuss weather, routing and destinations.

Target Departure date is around December 15th, some cruiser may leave sooner or later, and may extend thier say.

Sailing with other boat Boat Best Practices: Clear communication, coordination, and adherence to best practices to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved. 

Communication and Coordination:

a. VHF Radios: All participating boats should have functioning VHF radios for easy and immediate communication.

b. Pre-Departure Briefing: Before setting sail, captains will conduct a pre-departure briefing to discuss the day's plan, destinations, potential hazards, and emergency procedures.

c. Check-ins: We will establish regular check-in times, especially during longer sailing legs, to ensure everyone is on course and experiencing no issues.

Responsibility and Decision-Making:

a. Individual Captain Responsibility: Each captain is responsible for the safety of their vessel and crew, including navigation, weather monitoring, and adherence to safety regulations.

b. Consensus on Routing: While each captain is responsible for their decisions, we may reach consensus on the planned route, anchorage spots, and sailing legs to enhance overall safety and coordination. 

Emergency Protocols:

a. Man Overboard Drills: Conduct regular man overboard drills to ensure all crew members are familiar with the procedures and equipment.

b. Emergency Contacts: Share emergency contact information among participating boats to facilitate swift communication in case of urgent situations.

Anchoring and Mooring:

a. Safe Anchoring Distances: Maintain a safe distance between boats when anchoring to avoid collisions and ensure swinging room.

Anchor Watch: We recommend that you have some type of achor watch process. 

Weather Monitoring:

a. Weather Briefings: Before each sailing leg, captains should provide weather briefings, discussing potential challenges and allowing for adjustments to the plan if needed.

b. Weather Alerts: Keep an eye on weather updates during the journey, and communicate any significant changes to the group.

Towing Guidelines: At no point are cruise participants obligated to tow another vessel

a. Risk Assessment: Participants should assess the risks involved in towing a disabled vessel and prioritize the safety of their own crew.

b. Professional Assistance: In the event of a disabled vessel, recommend calling a professional towing service rather than attempting to tow, minimizing risks to both vessels. 

Mutual Assistance:

a. Voluntary Assistance: While participants are not obligated to tow disabled vessels, they can offer assistance in other ways, such as providing information, coordinating with authorities, or standing by for support.

b. Emergency Protocols: Establish clear procedures for requesting and providing assistance in emergencies, emphasizing safety and effective communication.

Contingency Planning:

a. Emergency Rally Points: We will define emergency rally points or safe havens along the route where the group can regroup in case of separation or unforeseen circumstances as needed.

b. Alternative Routes: Discuss and agree upon alternative routes in case the planned route becomes impractical due to weather or other factors.

By adhering to these best practices, captains and crews can foster a safe and enjoyable sailing experience when cruising in a buddy boat arrangement.

NEW YEAR CRUISE

Say Goodbye to 2023 an welcome 2024, Sing “Auld Lan Syne” and hang out with TSS’ers! Watch fireworks Show in Tampa, St Petersburg & the pyromaniac East Shore Fireworks! Snacks and Champagne 

Depart TSS around 10:30 pm - Head out to near the 75ft tower, depending on condition we can Raft up or anchor separately.

 

 

Cruising Schedule 2023 - 2024

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Moonlight Sailing:

Come and Join us sailing under the moonlight, the dates were selected to have the best Moon Rise time and Tide for that Moon cycle.
Weather permitting we will meet on that Friday around 7:00 pm and go Sailing!
Text Maria Verstraete or Mike Smith a picture while you are sailing for complaince! 727 656-4912

Moonlight Sailing Calendar:

Month	Date	Moon Rise Time
November	11/24/2023	3:40 PM
December	12/26/2023	5:20 PM
January	1/26/2024	7:02 PM
February	2/24/2024	6:44 PM
March	3/22/2024	5:39 PM
April	4/19/2024	4:26 PM

Upcoming Cruising Events:

Date Start	Cruise Name and Destination	Duration	Cruise Description	Sponsor
12/22/2023	SAILING SOUTH FLORIDA KEYS	15 DAYS	Spend the holidays away from Home!	Maria abd Joe Verstraete
12/31/2023	NEW YEAR CRUISE	2 - 4 HOURS	Watch fireworks Show in Tampa, St Petersburg & the pyromaniac East Shore Fireworks! Snacks and Champagne  Depart TSS around 10:30 pm  Head out to near the 75ft tower, depending on condition we can Raft up or anchor separately. Say Goodbye to 2023 an welcome 2024, Sing “Auld Lan Syne” and hang out with TSS’ers!	Nick and Roxann Lavelle
2/24/2023	THE DREW CRUISE!	2 DAYS	Legendary Drew Cruise is back! Come sail to 4th Island on a full moon! Spend the night at anchor and Sail back on Sunday	Drew Barrett
3/30/2024	TAMPA BAY AIRFEST 2024	4 hours	Event which will feature an amazing variety of military and civilian flight performances (including The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds"). We will anchor in Tampa Bay in front of MacDill AFB. We will raft up weather permitting.	Maria & Joe Verstraete
5/24/2024	FLORIDA KEYS DRY TORTUGAS	12 DAYS	More Details to come	Joe and Maria Verstraete