Know Your Insurance

• Read your policy
  • Know the exclusions
  • Know your coverages
    • Hull
    • Passenger liability
    • Third party liability
    • Medical payments
    • Claims

Whenever in doubt - call your agent. Get everything in writing. Never Assume.

** Coming soon a section on "Know your coverage"

Flying and boating can be some of the most enjoyable ways to spend time with our family and friends. The last thing anyone wants is a serious accident to happen while enjoying their passion.

The Pegasus Group recognizes the importance of sharing information regarding safety, and the promotion of continuing education in aviation and marine safety. We feel this is the most important area of our website.

Over the coming months we will continue to add to this area of our web site. We will ask for your help with anything you can contribute that would be of benefit to all who read this area.

So much of what you will find here are things we have heard or read about so many times. Still we continue to hear about the pilot with over 20,000 hours flying time that managed to fly into the side of a mountain, or the Captain with 30 years of experience that totaled a boat by hitting a reef. We are aware that we are not supposed to be complacent with our flying and boating, but we still are. We have to stay focused and remember to bring our “A” game with us every time we go flying or boating.

Listed below are safety tips and information that we hope will help you become a more safe operator or pilot while enjoying your passion. You owe it to yourself, and even more so the people who will be in your care.

Boating Safety Courses

Many boating safety courses are offered throughout the country, for all types of recreational boaters, and for boaters of all ages. Qualified volunteer organizations, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, and others sponsor many courses, and many state boating agencies also provide classes. 

Courses cover many aspects of boating safety, from boat handling to reading the weather, and from a "Water 'N Kids" class to courses for boaters who want to learn electronic navigation skills. The most popular basic courses generally have from 6 to 13 lessons to provide a foundation of operational and safety instruction.

Because you know the weather

You know the weather. . .
It can be both friend and foe. Calm winds and seas make for enjoyable power boating, waterskiing, and fishing. A fresh breeze and a light chop provide an invigorating sailing or wind surfing experience. But the sudden emergence of dark clouds, shifting and gusty winds, torrential downpours and lightning can turn a day’s pleasure into a nightmare of distress. Here are some tips on how to keep your pleasure and safety to a maximum.

Plan for boating fun. . .
Several days ahead of time start listening for the National Weather Service extended 5-day outlooks on NOAA Weather Radio, AM/FM radio, and TV. The outlooks give general information to help you decide whether or not to continue making plans.

Before Setting Out. . .
Pay close attention to the TV weathercast and listen to detailed marine weather forecasts on NOAA Weather Radio. Take note of small boat cautionary statements, Small Craft Advisories, or Gale or Storm Warnings in the forecasts. The Advisories and Warnings (see definitions) alert mariners to higher winds and waves either occurring now or forecast to occur up to 24 hours from now. Advisories and Warnings for conditions expected later give mariners time to take action to protect life and property.

After setting out . . .
Don’t touch that dial! Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio. You know the weather--it changes! The change often occurs out of your sight and may be headed your way. Updated warnings and forecasts are aired immediately on NOAA Weather Radio, alerting you to changes that may require action on your part. But you can help yourself . . . It’s up to YOU!

While on the water, stay alert. . .
Check NOAA Weather Radio for latest warnings and forecasts. Watch for signs of approaching storms: dark, threatening clouds that may foretell a squall or thunderstorm a steady increase in wind or sea lightning flashes.

An increase in wind opposite in direction to a strong tidal current may lead to steep waves capable of broaching a boat. Heavy static on your AM radio may be an indication of nearby thunderstorm activity. If a thunderstorm is approaching, head for shore if possible. Get out of your boat and away from the water. Find shelter immediately. If a thunderstorm catches you while afloat, remember that gusty winds and lightning pose a threat to safety. Put on your personal flotation device and prepare for rough seas. Stay below deck if possible. Keep away from metal objects that are not grounded to the boat's protection system. Don't touch more than one grounded object at the same time (or you may become a shortcut for electrical surges passing through the protection system).

Radio Tips

If you have a VHF transceiver with built-in NOAA Weather Radio channels, use them. If your VHF radio is not equipped with weather channels, you may want to buy a VHF weather radio--they’re readily available. Keep in mind, however, broadcast reception varies with the location of you and the transmitter, the quality of the radio, and any obstructions. A broad, average range is 20 to 40 miles. If you venture beyond that range, you should consider buying a good quality HF single sideband transceiver to add to your VHF. It may be more expensive, but it is worth it to be able to get the information that may save your life and property. 

Definitions
Small Craft Advisory: Observed or forecast winds of 18 to 33 knots--Small Craft Advisories may also be issued for hazardous sea conditions or lower wind speeds that may affect small craft operations. Issued up to 12 hours ahead of conditions. (There is no legal definition of the term "small craft.")

Gale Warning: * Observed or forecast winds of 34 to 47 knots. Storm Warning:* Observed or forecast winds of 48 knots or greater. Tropical Storm Warnings: * Observed or forecast winds of 34 to 63 knots associated with a tropical storm. Hurricane Warning: * Observed or forecast winds of 64 knots or higher associated with a hurricane. Special Marine Warning: Observed or forecast winds of 34 knots or more associated with a squall or thunderstorm and expected to last for 2 hours or less. *Issued up to 24 hours ahead of conditions.

Here are 10 safety tips that you need to make part of your boating procedures.

 1. Always wear a life jacket and insist that your crew and guests do the same. Approximately 70 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned in 2005.1 Ninety percent of those who drowned were not wearing their personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket. Always have an adequate supply of personal flotation devices aboard. Make sure that children are wearing life jackets that fit correctly. Drowning was the reported cause of death for approximately 60 percent of the children who perished in 2005. Overall, fatal accident data indicate approximately 491 lives could have been saved if boaters had worn their lifejackets.

2. Never drink alcohol while boating. In 2005, alcohol was either a direct or indirect contributing factor in 25 percent of all boating fatalities. Stay sharp on the water by leaving the alcohol on dry land.

3. Take a boating safety course. More than 70 percent of all reported boating fatalities in 2005 occurred on boats where the operator had not completed a boating safety course.1 You may even qualify for a reduced insurance rate if you complete a safety course. Contact your Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadron2 or visit www.boater101.com for information on courses in your area.

4. Stay in control by taking charge of your safety and that of your passengers. Adults between the ages of 40 and 49 accounted for the highest rate of the total boating fatalities in 2005.1 Don’t forget that safety begins with you.

5. Understand and obey boating safety recommendations and navigational rules. Imagine the mayhem that would result if car drivers disregarded highway traffic laws. Know and understand boating safety procedures and rules of navigation before taking to the water, and practice them without fail.

6. Operate at a safe speed and always maintain a careful lookout. Overall, operator inattention, carelessness/reckless operation, operator inexperience and excess speed are leading contributing factors of all reported accidents.1 Know your boat’s limitations. Take note of visibility, traffic density and the proximity of navigation hazards like shoals, rocks or floating objects. Don’t invite a collision by going faster than is prudent.

7. Check the weather forecast. A calm day can quickly turn ugly on the water. Stay on top of the forecast while boating and heed all weather and storm advisories. Check the condition of your life raft annually and before long distance off-shore cruising. Carry flares at all times.

8. Have your vessel checked for safety—for free! The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers Vessel Safety Checks at no cost. Coast Guard staffers will check your boat’s equipment and provide information about its use, safety procedures and applicable regulations. Unsafe boats are a threat to all recreational boaters. Make sure your vessel is as safe as possible. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard web site at www.uscg.mil for further information.

9. Use a carbon monoxide detector. All internal combustion engines emit carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can kill in minutes. Carbon monoxide poisoning caused six boating deaths in 2005.

10. File a float plan. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you always tell a friend or family member where you plan to go and when you’ll be back. Make it a habit before leaving on any boat trip. The proper officials can be notified promptly if you don’t return when expected.

Rules of Flying

Takeoffs are optional. Landings are mandatory

If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back they get smaller.

Unless you keep pulling the stick back- they get bigger again.

Flying is not dangerous; crashing is dangerous.

The propeller is just a big fan in the front of the plane to keep the pilot cool. Want proof? Make it stop; then watch the pilot break out into a sweat.

The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

Everyone already knows the definition of a "good" landing is one from which you can walk away. Very few know the definition of a "great landing." It is one after which you can use the airplane another time.

The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival.

Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live lone enough to make all of them yourself.

There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing: unfortunately, no know knows what they are.

The only thing worse than a captain who never flew as a copilot is a copilot who once was a captain.

It is easy to make a small fortune in aviation. You start with a large fortune.