SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard is reminding the public to exercise safe boating during the Labor Day weekend.
The Labor Day holiday typically experiences a high number of boaters taking to the water as the summer season comes to an end. The Coast Guard advises the public to take responsibility for their safety and those of their passengers on beaches, lakes and waterways. Boaters should be aware of, and obey, all federal and state regulations for recreational boating and navigation as well as all weather advisories in affect for the area.
In the event that your vessel or someone aboard your vessel is in distress, call the Coast Guard on a VHF-FM radio or call Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center at 415-399-3451. VHF-FM radios are essential for communication with the Coast Guard. Mobile phones may not be reliable on the water, and the Coast Guard has the ability to determine your general location when you call with a VHF-FM marine-band radio, which can effect a timely response when mariners are in distress. If you see someone get swept out to sea, do not attempt to rescue him or her by entering the water - call 911 immediately.
All boaters should:
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Always wear a life jacket. There is usually very 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.
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File a float plan (http://www.floatplancentral.org). 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.
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Have a signaling device to communicate an emergency on the water. Boaters should have a marine-band radio, signal flares and an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) to alert first responders. Boaters can reach the Coast Guard on marine-band radios on channel 16 at any time, day or night.
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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.
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Keep children informed of water safety. The Coast Guard encourages educating children on water safety. For more information on boating safety for kids, visit http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/.
"Every year thousands of injuries occur, hundreds of lives are lost on the water, and millions of dollars of property damaged," said Capt. Tony Ceraolo, Commander of Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. "These unfortunate events are often preventable by following some basic safety tenants such as life jacket use and proper planning for enjoying your day on the water. Too often pleasure outings turn tragic. You as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual can make a difference."
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For more boating information, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/
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For more information on the current weather conditions please refer to the following links:http://www.weather.gov/http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KM...