ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Coast Guard Sector Anchorage and Station Valdez personnel conducted safety boardings in western Prince William Sound near Whittier, Alaska, during Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, 2015.
A Sector Anchorage boarding team and a Station Valdez 45-foot Response Boat – Medium crew completed 80 recreational safety boardings that resulted in 10 written warnings, four violations and three terminations.
The safety compliance checks ensured boaters were operating safely, all children were wearing lifejackets, and boaters had their licenses and registrations. Additionally, the safety checks verified vessels were equipped with the appropriate number of flotation devices, a sound-producing device and approved fire extinguishers.
Alaska state law requires boaters to have one Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person aboard their vessel and they must be in serviceable condition. Persons 13 years of age and younger are required by law to wear a life jacket at all times while in an open boat, on the deck of a boat or when waterskiing.
“We advise all boaters to check out the carriage requirements before getting underway,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Layton, a Station Valdez boarding officer. “The Coast Guard’s new boating safety app can help boaters know exactly what they need for their size boat, check the weather, file a float plan or call for emergency assistance.”
For additional information on boating safety requirements, visit www.uscgboating.org.
For more information, contact Lt. j. g. Victoria Swinghamer at 907-428-4174.