News Release

BALTIMORE - Due to a high number of boaters in distress through the holiday weekend, the Coast Guard urges boaters to be safe and prepared this weekend.

The Coast Guard, with assistance from partnering agencies, responded to 13 search and rescue cases this holiday weekend in the upper Chesapeake Bay. The 13 cases included capsized canoes, disabled boats, flare sightings and several boats taking on water.

"Boating can be fun for everyone, if one takes the time and plans accordingly," said Lt. Cmdr. Patricia Mitrowski, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore's chief of response. "Boating incidents are very tragic, not just for individuals involved, but for the family members as well.  Please think safety for yourself and others next time you're out on to the water."

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.
• In the event you contact the Coast Guard to request assistance and circumstances change that no longer requires emergency personnel to respond, the Coast Guard requests that you follow up to indicate the change in your status so as to eliminate a needless search effort.
• All passengers should remain seated in designated seating areas when the boat is underway. Bow riding is extremely dangerous and increases the potential for passengers falling overboard, causing injury or even death.

According to Coast Guard statistics in 2002, 85 percent of those who drowned were not wearing a  life jacket. In an emergency, there is no time to put on a life jacket, so wearing one at all times is very important. Forget the image of life jackets being orange, bulky and uncomfortable, today's technologically advanced life jackets are inconspicuous; some even double as fishing vests or jackets.

State of Maryland health officials have stated that there have been eight heat-related deaths in 2010, surpassing the total for all of 2009. Due to increased temperatures, boaters should ensure they remain hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids to help prevent heat-related illnesses while on the water.

According to Maryland Natural Resources Police statistics, nine boaters died throughout Maryland in 2008. Two-thirds of these deaths can be attributed to boating under the influence, drowning and weather conditions.  The Coast Guard asks boat operators to take preventative measures to ensure their own safety, safety of passengers as well as other boaters.

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 and the U.S. Power Squadrons cover many aspects of boating safety, from boat handling to reading the weather.

Another aspect of boating safety is not operating a boat under the influence. Last month alone, the Coast Guard, with assistance from NRP, issued 14 BUI citations. Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is just as deadly as drinking and driving and is illegal 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.

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

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary http://www.cgaux.org

Vessel Safety Checks http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org

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

National Safe Boating Council http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org 

U.S. Power Squadrons http://www.usps.org/