ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Coast Guard is reminding the public to exercise safe boating during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The week of July Fourth typically experiences a high number of boaters taking to the water. The Coast Guard advises the public to take responsibility for their safety on the beaches, lakes and waterways of California. Boaters should be aware of, and obey, all federal and state regulations for recreational boating and navigation.
Coast Guard statistics for calendar year 2014 show:
- 4,064 accidents that involved 610 deaths, 2,678 injuries and approximately $39 million in damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.
- Seventy-eight percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84 percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket.
- Where instruction was known, 23 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction. Only nine percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received boating safety instruction from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
- Twelve children under age 13 lost their lives while boating in 2014. Four children or 57 percent of those who drowned were wearing a life jacket, two were not required to by state law.
- Approximately 21 percent of all loss-of-life cases were the result of boating under the influence.
All boaters should:
- Always wear a life jacket. Since there is little time to reach for stowed vests when accidents occur, wearing one at all times reduces your risk of drowning. Federal law requires you to have a personal floatation device on board for each passenger.
- File a float plan. A float plan is simply letting family and friends know where you are going and your expected time of return. File a float plan with someone who is not getting underway with you and stick to the plan. If you change plans, contact the person. A float plan assists responders in the search of an overdue boater who may be in distress.
- Have a signaling device to communicate distress on the water. Boaters should have a marine-band radio, signal flares and an emergency position-indicating radio beacon to alert first responders. Boaters can reach the Coast Guard on marine-band radios on channel 16 24/7, and an EPIRB provides search-and-rescue coordinators with vital information such as phone numbers and the description and type of vessel, which allows the Coast Guard to effect a rescue much quicker.
- Never boat under the influence. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. There are stringent penalties for violating BUI/BWI laws, which can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges and jail terms.
"Enjoy your Fourth of July boating weekend with your family and friends, but remember to make this holiday a safe one while you are out on the water," said Rear Adm. Joseph Servidio, commander, 11th Coast Guard District. "Boating safety is as important as highway safety. Ensure your family and friends are safe by having the proper Coast Guard-approved equipment on board, and be especially watchful of children. Lastly, never operate a boat while drinking alcohol, stay clear of any fireworks barges and other boaters who may be distracted by the festivities. Let's make this Fouth of July boating weekend a safe celebration."
For a list of fireworks displays and Local Notice to Mariners in the Bay Area, visit http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm11262015.pdf. NOTE: Fireworks display locations for Northern California, Bay Area, Los Angeles/Long Beach and San Diego can be found on pages 8-11 of the Local Notice to Mariners.
For more boating information, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/.
For media inquiries or additional boating safety information, contact your local Coast Guard unit or the 11th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (510) 437-3808.