Media Advisory

     

Host:  USCG Sector Northern New England 

 When:  Saturday, April 17th 10:00 am to 3:00 pm 

               Where:  Coast Guard Base, 259 High Street, South Portland, ME 04106   

View: Exhibits of kayaks and canoes, safety gear, weather protective clothing, in-the-water demonstrations of self and assisted rescue techniques, flare demonstration, and a Search and Rescue demonstration by a Coast Guard helicopter if operations permit.  

Learn: Trip planning strategies from Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety Specialists, the US Power Squadron, the CG Auxiliary, Maine Marine Patrol, professional kayak instructors, professional guides and other experts.  Bring your kayak and receive a FREE voluntary paddle craft inspection from the CG Auxiliary outside the base perimeter.

Tour:  USCG Cutters, CG Rescue Boats, CG work boats, Maine Marine Patrol vessel.

Kayaking along the Maine Coast can open the door to a whole world of adventure and new experiences.  However, given Maine’s frequent weather changes and cold water temperatures, are you prepared for an unexpected emergency?  Could you get back into a kayak if you fell out? What safety gear should you take with you?  Do you know what a Float Plan is or how to file one? 

Sponsors:  USCG, USCG Auxiliary, U. S. Power Squadron, Maine Marine Patrol, Cape Elizabeth Water Extraction Team, Maine State Police Dive Team, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Maine Association of Sea Kayaking Guides and Instructors, Maine Island Trail Association, Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network, Maine Island Kayak Company, Castine Kayak,  Seaspray Kayaking, Midcoast Kayak, and Maine Guide Supply and area retailers

For more information contact: LT Bryan Hollis at (207)767-0383 or robert.b.hollis@uscg.mil or ENS Mark Allen at (207)741-5445 or mark.r.allen@uscg.mil or Al Johnson at (617)223-8464 or alfred.e.johnson@uscg.mil

 

Schedule of Events

10:00 -12:00:   View of Displays/Booths, Mini – Instructional sessions at Booths, Unit Tours, Presentations in the Rusty Scupper.

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Schedule for Presentations in the Rusty Scupper:

Time                 Topic                                                              Presenter                               

10:30 – 11:00   Paddle Safety, Gear and Search & Rescue        LT Bryan Hollis

11:00 – 11:30   Paddling Along the Maine Coast                       Karen Francouer          

11:30 – 12:00  Preparing for and Surviving Cold Water              Paul Travis

      

Break during 12:00 to 1:45 time frame due to on water portion of events

Time                 Topic                                                              Presenter

1:45 – 2:10       Paddling the Maine Island Trail                          Paul Travis     

2:10 – 2:35      Near Shore Rescues                                           Cape Elizabeth WETeam         

2:35 – 3:00      Planning a Trip:  You Are the Captain                 Maine Island Kayak

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On/In Water – Presentations/Demos – Port side of West Pier

12:00 -12:20     Visibility of boats, PFDs & paddles (colors, contrasts and flares) – MASKGI

12:20-12:40      Loss of Paddle, Paddling in Wind/Waves, Boat Control, Self and Assisted       Rescues – Maine Island Kayak

12:40-1:00        “Why Bulkheads Matter” – Rescues with and without bulkheads – Castine Kayak

1:00 -1:15         Water Rescue Scenario Demonstration – Cape Elizabeth WETeam

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Off the front of West Pier:

1:15 – 1:35:     Coast Guard Helicopter/ Rescue Swimmer Demonstration

1:45 – 2:30:      Flare Demonstration – Pier

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1:30 – 3:00:     View of Displays/Booths, Mini – Instructional sessions at Booths, Unit Tours,      Presentations in the Rusty Scupper

3:00:                 Tours end, presentations end, booths closed.