News Release

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard urges boaters to make safety a priority this holiday weekend, as thousands of boaters plan on celebrating Fourth of July festivities on or near the water.

Being safe on the water is paramount, and mariners can take significant actions to remain safe on the water as they celebrate responsibly and have the proper safety equipment on board.

The Coast Guard would also like to remind mariners of the many different safety zones in affect around the San Diego area. The 4^th of July Fireworks safety zones will encompass all navigable waters around the firework barges, and the safety zones will be in effect July 4, 2010 between 8:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

The location of the barges include:

Coronado/Glorietta Bay at 32°40.68’ N, 117°10.18’ W (No Thru Traffic Permitted, Channel Closed)

Shelter Island at 32°42.83’ N, 117°13.20’ W (1000 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

Harbor Island at 32°43.33’ N, 117°12.00’ W (1000 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

Embarcadero at 32°43.00’ N, 117°10.80’ W (1000 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

Seaport Village at 32°42.23’ N, 117°10.05’ W (1000 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

Mission Bay Paradise Point Resort 32°46.36’N 117°14.57’W (600 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

Mission Bay Yacht Club 32°47.01’N 117°14.75’W (800 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

Sea World Fireworks on Fiesta Island at 32°46.29’ N, 117°13.41’ W (800 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

Ocean Beach Pier at 32°45.01’ N, 117°15.52’ W (1200 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

La Jolla 32°52.99’N 117°15.38’W (1000 foot Radius Safety Zone)

Imperial Beach Pier 32°34.77’N 117°08.15’W (1000 Foot Radius Safety Zone)

AVI Resort 35°00’45”N 114°38’16”W (800 Foot Radius Safety Zone) Laughlin, NV

Bullhead City 35° 09.15’N 114°34.07’W(Rockets Over the River 1200 Foot Radius Safety Zone) Bullhead City, AZ

People and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within the safety zones unless authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

While on the water, boaters are encouraged to make contact with the vessels enforcing the safety zones. Event organizers will provide vessels marked with a large orange sign “Caution – Event in Progress.”  All perimeter vessels will have informational flyers indicating the length of the safety zones and event status.

To maintain safety while on the water, members of the boating public must remember to always wear a life jacket, file a float plan with a friend or family member and have a working VHF-FM radio and electronic position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) on board.  Doing these simple tasks could save your life or the life of your passengers.

Along with decreasing the operator's ability to make good judgments, boating under the influence negatively affects the ability of the operator to respond in the case of an emergency.  The effects of the sun, wind, waves and a boat's motion on the water, can all add to an operator's impairment.  Boaters found to be under the influence can face both federal and state charges with penalties of up to one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

“Independence Day is a great time for family, friends and fun as we celebrate the birth of our Nation,” said Chief Petty Officer Brad Adams, the officer in charge of Station San Diego. “If boating is a part of your holiday, please make safety a part of your plans. Safe boating includes having a properly sized lifejacket for each person aboard, flares, fire extinguishers and all other state and federally required safety equipment. Alcohol and boating do not mix. If you intend to consume alcohol, assign a designated driver for your vessel. The Coast Guard and our Partner Agencies actively enforce Boating Under the Influence laws.”

Also, each year on the Fourth of July, the Coast Guard receives and responds to numerous calls of boaters firing emergency flares from their vessels.  While the possession of flares on your vessel is encouraged, the Coast Guard stresses flares should only be fired to indicate distress.  With the increase of maritime traffic on the Fourth of July, the firing of a flare in a non-emergency situation could result in a delayed response to a legitimate maritime emergency.  Firing a flare when not experiencing an emergency could also result in a Class D felony charge, six years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines and reimbursement of all costs that the Coast Guard incurs as a result of the false distress.

For additional information on safe and secure boating practices click here for the Coast Guard's Office of Boating Safety page.