Almost cannot be repeated too often:

Office of Public Affairs
U=2ES. Coast Guard Thirteenth District



Press Release Date: June 30, 2005
Contact: PA3 Mike Zolzer
(206) 220-7237

BOAT SMART, BOAT SAFE DURING INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND




SEATTLE - As Independence Day weekend approaches, the Coast Guard
urges boaters to make important choices and follow critical tips that
will help ensure a safe and enjoyable weekend.




Boaters should follow these safety tips:




1=2E Personal Floatation Devices: Life jackets - bring one for each
person. History has shown that the chances of survival greatly
increases if an individual is wearing a personal floatation device. In
2003, 481 people drowned in the United States. Four-hundred sixteen of
those people were not wearing life jackets. That year a total of 703
people died in boating accidents with only 127 of those people wearing
life jackets. For more information on life jacket requirements visit:


http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fed_reqs/equ_pfd.htm




2=2E Stay Sober: An operator with a blood alcohol content above .10 is
ten times more likely to die in a boating accident than an operator
with a zero blood alcohol content. Operating a boat under the influence
of alcohol or drugs is illegal. For more information on boating under
the influence visit:


http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bui/bui.htm




3=2E Marine Radio: Investing in a good Very High Frequency FM (VHF FM)
radio is a smart purchase. Cell phones should not be used as a primary
means of emergency communication on the water where reception may be
poor or unavailable. A VHF radio has certain advantages such as:


=B7 Clear transmission.


=B7 Strong signal.


=B7 Channels reserved for distress calls. (VHF channel 16) =B7
Continuously monitored frequencies.


For more in-depth information about radios and terminology visit the
link below. http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/metlife/radio.htm




4=2E Float Plan: A float plan is a written statement of the details of an
intended voyage usually filed with a friend, neighbor and/or marina
operator or; a document that specifically describes the vessel,
equipment, crew, and itinerary of a planned voyage.


Leave a copy with a friend, relative or local marina before heading out
on the water. If a vessel has an emergency or is overdue, pertinent
information will be avalable to provide local marine police or the
Coast Guard. A word of caution-in case you're delayed, and it's not
an emergency, inform those with your float plan, and be sure to notify
them when you return so the float plan can be "closed out" and an
unnecessary and costly search avoided. An example of a float plan is
provided at the following link.
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fe.../floatplan.htm




5=2E Get Your Boat Checked Before Heading Out: The Coast Guard Auxiliary
and United States Power Squadron offer a free Vessel Safety Check
(VSC). Some of the common problems found are lack of personal
floatation devices, lack of visual distress signals or inoperable
navigational lights. For a complete list of what boaters should check
prior to heading out, or to schedule a free vessel safety check, visit:
www.vesselsafetycheck.org




6=2E Boating Classes


Public Education Class Listings - Coast Guard District 13 A variety
of boating safety classes are available throughout the Pacific
Northwest. These classes are provided through the Coast Guard Auxiliary
in many locations. Classes range from simplified lessons for children
to advanced multi-day classes. Visit the link below for a listing and
description of available classes.


http://www.uscgaux.org/~130/public/boatclass/index.htm




In addition to boating safety, individuals can help maintain the safety
of the community by reporting any suspicious activity they see around
our region's lakes and waterways. The Coast Guard along with other
federal, state and local law enforcement agencies will be out in force
to ensure the publics safety. For more information of boating safety
and what boaters can do to help report unusual activity contact the
13th Coast Guard district public affairs office at 206-220-7237.




Report suspicious activity to Waterways Watch at 1-877-24 WATCH or the
local FBI.




ADDITIONAL LINKS


Boating safety http://www.uscgboating.org/ USCG District 13 Auxiliary
http://www.uscgaux.org/~130/









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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service
within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and
security of America.



















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U=2ES. Coast Guard - 13th District
13th District Public Information Site

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