Ferg
08-30-2007, 12:39 PM
For more information contact:
Chief Petty Officer Robert K. Lanier
Ninth Coast Guard District
voice: (216) 902-6022
voice: (216) 214-3859
fax: (216) 902-6027
1240 East 9th Street
Suite 2073
Cleveland, OH 44199
Robert.K.Lanier@uscg.mil
Ninth District External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
DHS USCG Banner
Press Release
Date: August 30, 2007
Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office
(216) 902-6020 office
(216) 310-2608 cell
USCG REMINDS BOATERS TO BE SAFE
THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND, ALWAYS
CLEVELAND - Labor Day weekend always Comes with two things: increase in boater traffic on the Great Lakes and the annual reminder by Coast Guard for all boaters to be safe and responsible when on the water.
The Ninth Coast Guard District, who will be working with other federal, state and local agencies this weekend, reminds all boaters to:
* Get a vessel safety check or take a boating safety course. Both are conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and/or the U.S. Power Squadron, and will prepare your vessel for the boating season and educate the boat operator.
* File a "float plan" with a family member or friend who is not boating with you; and stick to the plan. The world's only lifesaving device on paper can assist the Coast Guard with a search if you are in distress.
* Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or personal floatation device at "all" times. The law requires you to have them on board; but the Coast Guard recommends you wear them at all times. The worst time to look for a life jacket is when you are already in distress.
* Have a marine-band radio. If you are in distress, the Coast Guard can be reached on marine band radio channel 16: the distress channel. Use of a cell phone could provide rescuers with a false location of your distressed vessel.
* Have a sound-producing or visual signal device on board your vessel. A horn, whistle, signal mirror or flare can signal rescuers that you are in distress.
* Be vigilant and keep an eye out for (1) your fellow mariners and (2) anything that looks unusual on the water. "If you see something...say something."
* Have a sober operator - DON'T boat under the influence. Alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. The marine environment - motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray - accelerates a drinker's impairment; and decreases coordination, judgment and reaction time.
Additionally, to those that will not be on vessels but in the water, the Coast Guard reminds the public to:
* swim in designated areas
* use the "buddy system" when swimming - never swim alone
* watch for boating traffic when swimming
* do not consume alcohol before swimming
The public is asked to take these simple precautions to continue to make this a safe boating season.
For information on vessel safety checks, boating safety courses or safe boating practices, contact your local Coast Guard station or the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (216) 902-6020.
###
Chief Petty Officer Robert K. Lanier
Ninth Coast Guard District
voice: (216) 902-6022
voice: (216) 214-3859
fax: (216) 902-6027
1240 East 9th Street
Suite 2073
Cleveland, OH 44199
Robert.K.Lanier@uscg.mil
Ninth District External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
DHS USCG Banner
Press Release
Date: August 30, 2007
Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office
(216) 902-6020 office
(216) 310-2608 cell
USCG REMINDS BOATERS TO BE SAFE
THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND, ALWAYS
CLEVELAND - Labor Day weekend always Comes with two things: increase in boater traffic on the Great Lakes and the annual reminder by Coast Guard for all boaters to be safe and responsible when on the water.
The Ninth Coast Guard District, who will be working with other federal, state and local agencies this weekend, reminds all boaters to:
* Get a vessel safety check or take a boating safety course. Both are conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and/or the U.S. Power Squadron, and will prepare your vessel for the boating season and educate the boat operator.
* File a "float plan" with a family member or friend who is not boating with you; and stick to the plan. The world's only lifesaving device on paper can assist the Coast Guard with a search if you are in distress.
* Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or personal floatation device at "all" times. The law requires you to have them on board; but the Coast Guard recommends you wear them at all times. The worst time to look for a life jacket is when you are already in distress.
* Have a marine-band radio. If you are in distress, the Coast Guard can be reached on marine band radio channel 16: the distress channel. Use of a cell phone could provide rescuers with a false location of your distressed vessel.
* Have a sound-producing or visual signal device on board your vessel. A horn, whistle, signal mirror or flare can signal rescuers that you are in distress.
* Be vigilant and keep an eye out for (1) your fellow mariners and (2) anything that looks unusual on the water. "If you see something...say something."
* Have a sober operator - DON'T boat under the influence. Alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. The marine environment - motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray - accelerates a drinker's impairment; and decreases coordination, judgment and reaction time.
Additionally, to those that will not be on vessels but in the water, the Coast Guard reminds the public to:
* swim in designated areas
* use the "buddy system" when swimming - never swim alone
* watch for boating traffic when swimming
* do not consume alcohol before swimming
The public is asked to take these simple precautions to continue to make this a safe boating season.
For information on vessel safety checks, boating safety courses or safe boating practices, contact your local Coast Guard station or the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (216) 902-6020.
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