| Public Affairs Detachment San Diego, Calif. U.S. Coast Guard |
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| News Release |
Date: May 15, 2009 Contact: PADET San Diego, CA |
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Coast Guard recommendations to help boaters stay safe on the water According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics released in 2007, the number of boating deaths, injuries and property damage decreased from the previous year. Overall, more than 69 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those who drowned, more than 89 percent of the victims were not wearing a life jacket. With this year's boating season just around the corner, this is a concern for the Coast Guard. “In the event of a capsizing emergency, mariners are advised to remain with their vessel,” said Lt.j.g. Amanda Sardone, pilot and spokeswoman for Sector San Diego. “Its much easier for us to be able to locate a large object in the water then it would be for a person.” Lifejacket wear is also critical to surviving a boating accident, 85 percent of all boating accident fatalities nationwide were due to sudden, unexpected capsizing or falls overboard. About 90 percent of boaters who drown were not wearing a lifejacket. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety has some great tips for boaters before leaving the dock: Wear your life jacket. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of over 80 percent of boating fatality victims. Carry a VHF-FM marine radio. Cell phones often lose signal and run out of batteries after a day on the water. They are helpful, but not reliable for emergencies. Register your EPIRB. Response time is the key to survival. The sooner help arrives, the better chance you have of surviving. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBS) provide the fastest and most accurate way the Coast Guard has of locating and rescuing persons in distress. Have a Vessel Safety Check. It’s a great way of learning about problems that might put you in violation of state, or federal laws, or worse, create danger for you or your passengers on the water. Best of all, it’s FREE! For more information, visit www.sectorsandiegoauxiliary.us/ Take a boating safety course. You can learn the basics about your vessel and the "rules of the road" in . Never boat under the influence (BUI). Intoxicated boaters can face both federal and state charges with penalties of up to one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. File a float plan. There are too many facts that need to be accurately remembered and conveyed in an emergency situation. Without a float plan you are counting on someone else, a friend, neighbor, or family member to remember detailed information that rescue personnel need in order to find you. For more information, visit www.floatplancentral.org In addition, the Coast Guard would like to remind boaters of established “zones”. These zones may be put in place during marine events, escorts and large U.S. Navy vessels. The purpose of these zones is to set up parameters for the safe navigation while transiting inside Boating safety information and the current boating safety statistic report is available on the U.S. Coast Guard boating safety web site at: www.uscgboating.org. ### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
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