The man’s companions had called 911 on a cell phone but they were guests aboard his vessel and could not accurately describe their location.  Eventually, a Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit was dispatched to the scene.   Unfortunately, the man’s injuries were extensive and the marine police unit was not equipped to treat or transport him.  A coast guard helicopter was finally dispatched to the scene and the man was airlifted to Palms of Pasadena Hospital for treatment.

Although accounts of the accident differ, everyone seemed to agree that it took forever to get this man to safety. The man was lucky to have survived his ordeal.

The tale of confusion was a wake up call for anyone who may be unprepared for medical emergencies while boating in Tampa Bay.  If you are on the water or on Shell Key, you should be ready for emergencies by being prepared for minor injuries – and knowing how to describe your location and what to ask for if your situation is life threatening.

In case of emergency: below are some recommendations for dealing with medical emergencies while boating in south Pinellas County.

Know your location!

Use your phone or GPS device to get your exact latitude and longitude.  If you can’t find your coordinates, here are some general coordinates for Shell Key Preserve …

• North Public Use Area (Pass-a-Grille):  Latitude: 27.674787 | Longitude: -82.740226
• South Public Use Area (Bunces Pass): Latitude: 27.652666 | Longitude: -82.742372

Call for help – or DIY?

Life or Death Emergency

• VHF Radio Channel 16 – If you have an absolute life or death situation, call out to the Coast Guard using the words “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, this is the vessel  [your boat’s name]  (or your name) — Then briefly describe your emergency  (fire/heart attack/sinking/man overboard etc…)  – followed by “Over“.    (never use ‘mayday’ unless you are in a dire situation.  You may receive fines or be prosecuted for misuse of this system)
• Call 911 – You can also contact the Coast Guard using the 911 emergency number.  All the normal rules apply for the use of 911. Make sure to ask for a Coast Guard air lift if your are in immediate and dire medical need. Have your GPS coordinates ready.

Non-Emergency

• Always make sure you have a well stocked first aid kit before you leave on your boat.
• Call the non emergency number for Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office: 727-582-6200

Find a hospital near Shell Key: 

• If you are able to drive your boat to get help, Palms of Pasadena Hospital is the best equipped and closest facility to Shell Key.  Kindred Bay Hospital may be a better choice if you are in Tampa Bay and need immediate help.

My motto?  Hope for the best but plan for the worst.  If you’re like me, you’ll have more fun knowing that you’re ready for what nature can throw at you.

Update: 07/2013 – The small channel created by this Spring’s dredging has already been filled back in by the prevailing currents in the area. It has been suggested that the rip-rap installed on the development project on the east side of the channel has stunted the natural migration of this channel.

Regular visitors to the north end of Shell Key have noticed that the narrow passage leading to the inside of the island has been gradually closing over the past few years.    Volunteers reported to Shellkey.og that this channel has been recently dredged to open access to the docking facility at the new development adjacent to the northern tip of the island.   Like all barrier islands, Shell Key is evolving and maturing. While fighting mother nature is generally a futile endeavor, day visitors on the north end will benefit from the newly cleared passage – until such time as mother nature fills it in again.

Before you go:

The north and south ends of the island are divided by several navigational barriers and shallow areas. Consider your boating route carefully, based on which side of the island you plan to visit. Examine the other navigational maps on this page to avoid shallow areas where you can run aground. Check the tide predictions for the date and time you intend to visit. Low tides can make some areas more difficult to access and can expose other navigational hazards. See the diagrams below for details. Getting to the North Public Use Area:

The north public use area of Shell Key is most easily accessed from the Pass-A-Grill channel just north of the island or from the Gulf.    There is also a narrow channel allowing passage to the inside of the north end. (As of 2015, the north pass is completely closed)If you are in a motorized boat, be careful when you are on the inside (east) of the island.  Most of this area is restricted to motor boats.

Getting From the North end to the South End:

Warning!! There are many ways to run aground while traveling from the north public use area to the south public use area. Essentially, you have 2 choices. Either travel out of Pass-a-grille Pass into the gulf and return into Bunces Pass on the South – or you can come from the Skyway Bridge Channel in Tampa Bay. Never try to travel south on the east side of Tierra Verde – these waters are not passable! Notice that both Pass-a-grille and Bunces Pass have sand bars flanking them along their channels. The bars extend extend well out into the gulf and are a major navigation hazard. when navigating in our out of the pass. See the green lines below for the best route. Always use a depth finder.

From Fort Desoto Boat Docks – or the Skyway Bridge Channel:

If you are coming from the Skyway in Tampa Bay, you will travel west until you pass under the Bridge that leads to Ft. Desoto beach – and then go right by the boat docks on your way toward Shell Key (see image above).This easiest way to get to the south end is to put in at Ft. Desoto – where you will find the best maintained boat ramps in the county. Then follow the channel markers west toward the mouth of Bunces Pass. Be aware that the green markers on the north side of bunces pass channel are very close to shallow waters.

Boating Guidelines

• Motor boats are restricted to idle speed in permitted areas only.
• Be observant of other vessels and always give way to large vessels which have limited maneuverability.
• All the rules of the County preserve apply to boaters within the preserve’s aquatic boundaries.  So you are not technically allowed to have alcohol or pets in your boat while you are within the preserve boundaries.

Anchoring at Shell Key

• Always be aware of the current tides when choosing an anchoring location. If you arrive at high tide, you may find your boat “high and dry” when you want to leave at low tide. Many boaters have been stranded overnight because they did not watch the tides.
• Do not anchor in channels or a fairway.
• Keep a safe distance from other boats that are already anchored. Allow for a margin of error that takes into account changing wind and tides.
• Double Anchoring: Larger boats should use a bow and a stern anchor to keep their boat in place near the beach. Here is a video showing one method for double anchoring. We recommend pointing the bow of the boat away from the island when double anchoring – to keep the waves from coming over the back of the boat.

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