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Most experienced sailors would have trouble with rough seas lost family faced

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Intelligent Sailing out of St. Petersburg provides sailing school and safety recommendations for its members while out on sailboats in and around the Gulf of Mexico. 

Daniel Felipe, with the company for two years, says conditions can change quickly, so having a float plan is key.

"Especially with our members at Intelligent Sailing, that's the thing we stress the most, file a float plan with us that tells us where you'll be," Felipe said.

Along with a float plan, checking weather conditions with NOAA is important. 

The Sarasota family lost since the weekend encountered rough six-foot seas, something that would trouble the most experienced of sailors.

"The best thing to do in a situation like that when a storm hits you is to point the bow of the boat into the wind," he said. 
 
The St. Petersburg-based company stresses every aspect of safety that members could encounter on water.
 
"We suggest carrying flares, air horns, fog horns," Felipe said.
 
Felipe added the family likely didn't have their sails up if they hit strong winds and rough seas, because it would have tore them down.