SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard has kicked off National Safe Boating Week, which runs through Friday.
National Safe Boating Week aims to improve boater behavior through education, awareness and training to make recreational boating a safe and enjoyable experience by reducing boating accidents across the country.
During this week and into Memorial Day Weekend, Coast Guard Auxiliarists, U.S. Power Squadrons and state natural resources agencies will be offering safe boating classes and conducting free vessel safety checks at numerous San Diego area marinas. To find the location of the nearest Auxiliary flotilla and a schedule of safe-boating classes, please visit their website at www.cgaux.org.
"Boating, diving, swimming, water sports or a day at the beach are fun family activities, but they can all end in tragedy if you aren't being safe," said Rear Adm. Joseph Servidio, commander, 11th Coast Guard District. "All too often rescue crews are called out to look for lost and injured people whose problems could have been avoided with better knowledge, planning and safety equipment. Make sure your boat has safety gear and that everyone wears a properly-fitting life jacket. Check weather conditions, and know your limits and the limits of your boat or equipment. Everyone on the water needs to watch out for themselves, their loved ones and one another," Servidio said.
This year's theme, "Wear it!," highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket each and every time. U.S Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2014, and that 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
“Each year hundreds of people lose their lives, and they may still be alive if they had been wearing a life jacket,” said John Johnson, chief executive officer of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. “You never know when there may be a boating mishap, so it’s important that everyone onboard always wears a life jacket.”
The Coast Guard encourages boaters to take a safer approach while on the water. Some important safety measures that can save your life are:
- Wear a lifejacket; they save lives! For safety, boaters are required to have one Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person aboard their vessel and they must be in serviceable condition.
- Take multiple forms of communication devices and extra batteries and chargers. Always remember VHF-FM radio is the primary communications network for the maritime boating community. Enabling the Digital Selective Calling features on your VHF-FM marine radio can broadcast your location and information to every boat within range in an emergency. Also consider a personal emergency beacon and ensure it is registered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- Check all required safety equipment to be sure it is in good working order. Vessel safety checks by the Coast Guard Auxiliary are free. Trained examiners help boaters review their equipment and give advice about how to improve safety. Vessels that pass the exam may display a safety decal on their vessel.
- File a float plan before you get underway detailing your trip to aid rescuers in the event you are overdue. Sample float plans can be found on the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety website.
- Check the weather. Be sure to look at the immediate weather forecast as well as the extended forecast; weather can change in the tri-state area in a matter of hours. Be prepared for it! The National Weather Service offers local and statewide current and extended marine weather forecasts on their website, which are broadcasted on VHF marine band radios.
- Boat sober. Never boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
National Recreational Boating Statistics for 2014:
- Fatalities: 610
- Drownings: 418
- Injuries (requiring medical treatment beyond first aid): 2,678
- Boating Accidents: 4,064
- Property Damage: $39,175,826
- Number of registered recreational boats in the U.S.: 11,804,002
The full report of recreational boating statistics for 2014 is available at http://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boat....
For more on National Safe Boating Week, please visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com.