News Release

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Labor Day marks the unofficial end to the boating season, but the Coast Guard reminds boaters to boat smart and boat safe over the holiday weekend.

Being educated about safe boating could save a life. Most boating fatalities occur on boats where the operator had not completed a boating safety education course. Courses given by the Coast Guard Auxiliary cover many aspects of boating safety, from boat handling to reading the weather.

The Coast Guard urges boaters to obtain a free vessel safety check, which can be conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, before heading out on the water. Vessel safety checks are courtesy examinations of your vessel, verifying the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.

Another aspect of boating safety is not operating a boat under the influence. Just as deadly as drinking and driving, it is also illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. There are stringent penalties for violating BUI/BWI laws, which can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges and jail terms.

Nationwide, more than 700 people die every year in boating and paddling accidents.  Approximately two-thirds drown and more than 90 percent of these were not wearing a life jacket.  The most recent data for the mid-Atlantic's Fifth Coast Guard District, shows 94 people died in boating and paddling accidents this year; many were not wearing a life jacket.  Alcohol use is the lead contributing factor in fatal boating accidents accounting for nearly 20 percent of all reported fatalities.

In an effort to reduce the number of incidents on the water and to increase the safety of people on the water, the Coast Guard recommends the following:

• Make sure a friend or relative knows your float plan. A float plan states where you are going and how many people are aboard your vessel, gives a complete vessel description, and details your destination and when you plan to return.  Float plans aid rescuers in identifying a search area in the event of an emergency while on the water.
• Be sure to check the local weather prior to departing the dock.  Weather can change very rapidly and boaters should keep a watchful eye on the forecasted conditions.
• The Coast Guard urges mariners to outfit their boat with a functioning marine-band radio as cell phones are typically an unreliable source of communication due to gaps in coverage and limited battery life. Using channel 16 on a marine-band radio is the most reliable way to communicate a distress to search and rescue personnel in the event of an emergency while on the water.
• Wear your life jacket! More than 90 percent of boaters who drown were not wearing their life jackets. In an emergency there might not be enough time to put one on, so wearing one at all times may save your life.

For further boating safety information, check online at one of the following:

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary www.cgaux.org 

Vessel Safety Checks www.vesselsafetycheck.org 

Coast Guard Boating Safety page at http://www.uscgboating.org

National Safe Boating Council www.safeboatingcouncil.org 

U.S. Power Squadrons www.usps.org