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While serious medical emergencies on the Great Loop are rare—and help is usually not far away—being on a boat does mean handling situations a little differently than you would at home. In this important episode, Dr. Robert Leviton of Maritime Medicine joins us to share practical guidance on responding to common onboard medical issues, from minor concerns to more serious situations. Learn what every cruiser should know about caring for a crewmate, stabilizing a situation, and safely getting to help if needed. Whether you’re planning your Loop or already underway, this episode offers valuable knowledge that can help you cruise with greater confidence.

On this bonus episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Rob Krajicek joins us to talk about something every Looper hopes they’ll never need—but will be grateful to have. When you’re cruising far from home, exploring small towns, remote anchorages, and unfamiliar waters, medical emergencies can feel even more daunting. Rob explains how SkyMed works, why traditional insurance may not be enough, and how having a medical transport membership in place can bring real peace of mind—not just on the Great Loop, but while traveling anywhere and even at home.

Your VHF radio might be the most underrated piece of gear on your Great Loop—but it can make all the difference when it comes to safety, navigation, and communicating with other boats, bridges, and locks while on the water. This week, John Herlig from The Boat Galley joins us to break down the essentials: when to use the VHF, which channels matter, and the simple habits that can keep you safer and more confident underway. Whether you’re new to boating or just need a refresher, this episode will help you get the most out of this vital onboard tool.

Understanding and using sound signals are important for safety aboard, and sound signals are required to be used in certain situations. On this episode, we once again welcome Robert Rice to tell us which sound signals are most likely to be needed by Loopers, and which they are likely to hear on the waterways of the Great Loop.

It's unlikely that someone will fall overboard during your Great Loop adventure, but you should still be prepared for this scenario. In this episode, Robert Rice joins us once again to discuss a sobering exercise in which he participated where he learned just how difficult it can be to get someone who has gone overboard back into the boat. We'll cover strategies to avoid going overboard and discuss options for retrieving someone who is in the water. Join us for this important safety episode.

Some states along the Great Loop Route require even transiting boaters to have taken a safe boating course. This means that every Looper should have taken a NASBLA approved course. This episode of our podcast talks about which states require a course for transiting boaters, what's covered in the courses, and where you can take one.

Ever wondered if you should get a vessel safety check on your boat before starting the Great Loop? Rob Rice joins us on this episode to talk about vessel safety exams. We'll cover what they are, why you should get one, and how to schedule it.

From fire extinguishers to life rafts to personal locator beacons, distress and safety equipment is important for your Great Loop cruise. After presenting an enlightening seminar at our Spring Rendezvous, Jeremy McConnell of Northwest Creek Marina is our guest this week to talk about this important topic. Northwest Creek Marina is an AGLCA sponsor, and Jeremy, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief, is the General Manager there. In his role in the Coast Guard, Jeremy managed and executed thousands of Search and Rescue operations. He'll tell us from his firsthand experience why having distress and safety equipment, and knowing how to use it, can make all the difference in the unlikely event that something goes wrong while your on the Great Loop.