National Safe Boating Week Kicks Off

[wackychick]

NEW YORK-Rear Adm. Timothy Sullivan, Coast Guard First District Commander, and Bill Gossard from the National Transportation Safety Board, will kick off National Safe Boating Week at the Captree State Park in Islip, N.Y., Friday, May 16 at 1 p.m. The event will include marine patrol vessel presentations and recognition of lifesaving efforts.

May 17-23 has been recognized as National Safe Boating Week - the traditional beginning of the recreational boating season in the nation. The campaign is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council and provides an opportunity to spread the message of boating safety and encourage boater education. Boaters are reminded to practice safe and responsible boating, including,

• Ensuring life jackets are within reach and are always on children and weak swimmers. Life jackets can be the determining factor between life and death in many accidents
• Completing a safe boating course; get educated on safe boating practices and equipment so you can be prepared for anything
• Properly equipping and inspecting your vessel; get a free vessel safety inspection, and outfit your vessel with multiple signaling devices
• Maintaining a prudent speed and respecting others on the water
• Helping fellow boaters in distress
• Don't mix alcohol with boating
• Filing a float plan to tell others where you will be boating