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Mobile - Ninety percent of all water related fatalities share one thing in common - they were not wearing their life jackets. The Coast Guard, along with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Safe Boating Council hope to reduce the number of fatalities by ensuring people wear their life jackets and will use National Safe Boating Week to get the word out. This year, the annual campaign runs May 17-23 with a goal of educating the public on how to stay safe on the water.
The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, in partnership with state and local authorities, have numerous activities targeted at educating the boating community. Contact LTJG Isaac Mahar 251-379-0492 for a complete list of events, or for further details. A sample of some of the events:
Panama City
-17 May: Safety Fair at the "Trane" company in Panama City. Coast Guard and Auxiliary will have a display.
-Auxiliary will be at most local boat ramps conducting courtesy safety checks.
Destin
-17 and 18 May: Coast Guard Station boat and crew, along with Auxiliary will have a display at the Bass Pro Shop as part of the "Fit to Float" campaign.
-17 and 18 May: Auxiliary will be providing free safety checks at 3 different boat ramps in the area.
Pensacola
-17 and 18 May: Auxiliary will be providing free safety checks at 2 different boat ramps in the area (Milton and Pensacola).
Mobile
-17 and 18 May: Auxiliary will be providing free safety checks at 3 different boat ramps in the area.
Pascagoula -17 May: Boater swap meet Pascagoula, Beach Blvd. Safety equipment and training available at event. Gulfport
-17 and 18 May: Auxiliary will be providing free safety checks at 3 different boat ramps in the area.
Seventy percent of reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all boaters and paddlers take a recreational boating safety course to enhance their boating skills.
Courses are offered either through their respective state, with the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadrons, both of which can be accessed through http://uscgaux.org/ or http://usps.org/. Additional course information is available through the BOAT/U.S. Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT.
Additionally, boaters and paddlers should:
- Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket, especially on children
- Be aware of weather and water conditions
- Never boat or paddle alone
- File a float plan to let others know where you are going, and make sure they know what to do and who call if you fail to return on time
- Be cautious - do not exceed your ability to handle your vessel
- Know that alcohol and drugs contribute to accidents
- Be constantly aware of other vessels in the immediate area
- Carry a VHF radio
- Bring flares, a whistle and/or another signaling device to alert others and signal rescuers
For more boating safety tips, boaters can access the Coast Guard's Boating Safety Web site at http://www.uscgboating.org/.
Media Note: Coast Guard member interviews and boat rides are available by appointment.
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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790
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