ALAMEDA, Calif.— National Safe Boating Week kicks off Saturday and runs through May 22.
Safe Boating Week aims at improving boater behavior through education, awareness and training to make recreational boating a safe and enjoyable experience by reducing boating accidents across the country.
"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.
Throughout National Safe Boating Week, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons and state natural resources agencies will offer safe boating classes and free vessel safety checks. To find the location of the nearest Auxiliary flotilla and a schedule of safe-boating classes, please visit their website at www.cgaux.org.
For more on National Safe Boating Week, please visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com.
Earlier this month the Coast Guard published its annual comprehensive report on recreational boating statistics for 2014. The report includes breakdowns on national and state boating accidents, deaths and injuries. The report is available at http://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boat....