National Safe Boating Week 2011 – Preparation can mean the difference between life, d

[The Patriot]

JUNEAU, Alaska - In recognition of National Safe Boating Week 2011 the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary encourage boaters to be fully prepared and think about their safety before spending time on Alaskan waters.

The National Boating Safety Week campaign, which runs through Friday, is designed to help reduce boating fatalities and accidents by generating an awareness of operator and passenger behavior on the water and to encourage boaters to take personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their passengers by following four key tenets of safe boating:

• Always wear your life jacket.
• Never boat under the influence.
• Take a boating safety course.
• Get a free Vessel Safety Check.

Other items of awareness that will help save lives on the water are communication devices like VHF radios, satellite phones, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons and Personal Locator Beacons. Flares, Coast Guard approved life jackets, fire extinguishers, sound producing devices and filing float plans will also all contribute to safety of life on Alaskan waters.

Throughout Alaska the Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts vessel safety examinations. Auxiliary personnel will check personal vessels confirming it meets both federal and state safety requirements. These inspections give boaters a risk-free way to verify their vessels meet the legal safety requirements and to ensure the boater is prepared for an emergency on Alaskan waters.

"There were 11 recreational boating deaths that occurred during 2010 marking the lowest number in 40 years," said Mike Folkerts, recreational boating safety specialist for the 17th Coast Guard District. "Although the number was the lowest in 40 years boating safety remains a priority for the Coast Guard across the state of Alaska."

The Coast Guard rescued five people from the sinking vessel Nordic Mistress north of Kodiak who were found wearing survival suits in a life raft Sunday. The survivors were prepared before they left for sea in turn helping to save their lives.

The Coast Guard encourages boaters to enjoy their time on the water, but boat responsibly and be prepared for the conditions. Remember…even the most experienced boaters fall victim to boating accidents!

For more information, please visit these websites:

• Register an EPIRB or PLB: www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov
• Coast Guard Auxiliary safe boating class: www.cgaux.org/boatinged
• Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel safety exams: www.safetyseal.net/
• Life jackets: www.uscgboating.org
• Float Plans: www.floatplancentral.org

Lt. j.g. James Dooley talks on the importance of being prepared while on Alaskan waters.

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1252298 - Video

For more information contact Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Shinn 907-321-4513




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