CHICAGO — In anticipation of a holiday weekend with a favorable weather forecast across much of the Great Lakes, the Coast Guard is reminding the public to be safe in, on and around the water.
Coast Guard crews across the region are expecting to see a high number of boaters, divers, kayakers, and beach-goers in and on the water, especially Saturday in areas near fireworks displays.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Coast Guard members around the Great Lakes responded to 86 reports of distress, saving 18 lives and assisting 193.
Boaters are encouraged to add the United States Coast Guard smartphone app to their boating toolkit. The app allows users to check required safety equipment, file float plans, report hazards, check weather at NOAA weather buoys and request emergency assistance and is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play store.The same weekend, the Coast Guard also supported and participated in Operation Dry Water, an annual national campaign aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.
Coast Guardsmen on the Great Lakes conducted 593 recreational boating examinations and issued 11 boating-under-the influence citations during the 3-day campaign. Coast Guard boat crews reported fewer recreational boats on the water during this year's campaign than in years past, likely due to less-than-favorable weather conditions across the Great Lakes.
Alcohol continues to be the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in the United States. Since the launch of Operation Dry Water in 2009, the amount of boating fatalities with alcohol named as a contributing factor has decreased from 19 percent to 17 percent in the United States.
The Coast Guard advises the public to take responsibility for their safety on the water during the holiday weekend and throughout the remainder of the boating season. Those on and around the water should be aware of, and obey, all federal and state regulations for recreational boating and navigation.
"We want everyone to enjoy their Fourth of July weekend, but most importantly we want everyone to be safe on the water" said Capt. Nicholas Bartolotta, chief of response for the Coast Guard 9th District. “Waterfront fireworks displays often draw large crowds of boaters in small areas and can become dangerous if boat operators do not pay attention to their surroundings, especially as events conclude and most boats begin departing at the same time. Take your time and pay close attention to what's happening around you.”
The Coast Guard offers the following safety tips:
- Wear a life jacket - The law states you must have a life jacket for every person aboard, but the Coast Guard suggests you go one step further and wear it at all times when boating. It is much more difficult to locate, access and don a life jacket after an accident occurs. Historically, about 75 percent of the people who die in boating accidents drown. Of those who drown, about 80 percent were not wearing life jackets.
- Do not boat under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances - Boating under the influence is just as dangerous and illegal as driving under the influence. Boaters who operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol endanger themselves and other waterways users. If you see a drunk boater, call the Coast Guard or local law enforcement immediately.
- Carry appropriate safety equipment - Have a marine radio, visual distress signals, and required lighting if you will be underway after sunset. While many boaters rely on cell phones for emergency communications on the water, VHF-FM radios are much more reliable in the marine environment and work in areas where cell phones sometimes don’t. Important broadcasts to mariners for updates on safety zones and waterways closures during fireworks and other events may be heard on VHF-FM channel 16. A federal equipment requirement brochure is available at http://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF.
- File a float plan - Before getting underway, let someone know when and from where you plan to depart, where you plan to go, how many people are in your party, and when you will arrive at your destination. Float plans can also be filed on the United States Coast Guard mobile app. More information about float plans is available at http://www.floatplancentral.org/download/USCGFloatPlan.pdf.
- Check the forecast - Know the weather report and forecast before getting underway. Throughout the day, keep your eyes to the skies and listen to weather reports. The weather can change very rapidly. Head into shore and seek shelter before the weather turns threatening.
- Stay with your vessel - If you do find yourself in trouble and in the water, stay with your vessel for as long as possible, even if it capsizes. You will be more visible to responders. Do not try to swim for shore.