Coast Guard emphasizes boating and paddling safety over the Labor Day Weekend

BOSTON – Labor Day weekend, for many boaters and paddlers, signals the end of the summer boating season. It’s also one of the busiest boating weekends of the year. The U.S. Coast Guard, along with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons and state boating agencies from New Jersey to Maine are working together to stress the importance of recreational boating and paddling safety.

This year, boaters should be especially cautious, as rough seas are expected following the passage of Hurricane Earl.

Coast Guard crews will be patrolling, conducting safety checks, watching for people Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and operating in an unsafe manner.

“Although we take the opportunity during holiday weekends to remind boaters to be particularly careful, there are common-sense safety precautions that we urge boaters and paddlers to consistently follow regardless of the date,” stressed Walt Taylor, the First Coast Guard District’s Recreational Boating Safety Specialist

For example, boaters and paddlers should:

Always wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket.
Never boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Be aware of weather and water conditions.
File a float plan to let others know where you are going. An example of a float plan can be found at http://www.floatplancentral.org/.
Be cautious – do not exceed your ability to handle your vessel, and be constantly aware of other vessels.

Boaters are reminded to observe safety and security zones while on the water, and are highly encouraged to have a working VHF radio. With Hurricane Earl forecasted to affect the New England area this weekend, boaters should carefully monitor the storm’s progress and heed all associated warnings. The National Weather Service (NWS) broadcasts marine weather forecasts and current storm advisories regularly. Forecasts can be heard by tuning in to weather channels on a VHF marine radio or by checking the NWS website at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/.

For many, the boating season is now gearing down and Taylor strongly recommends that all boaters utilize the off-season to take a recreational boating safety course. Courses are offered either through their respective state, with the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadrons, both of which can be accessed through http://uscgaux.org or http://usps.org. Additional course information is available through the BOAT/U.S. Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT.

For additional boating safety tips, and the recently released Recreational Boating Statistics 2009, boaters can access the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Web site at www.uscgboating.org.

For more information, please contact 1st District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.

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