News Release

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard urges boaters to be safety conscious on the water, as great weather is expected draw numerous boaters on the water this Labor Day weekend.

Though being safe on the water is paramount, there are significant actions mariners can take to remain safe and celebrate responsibly prior to heading out on the boat.

“If boating is a part of your holiday, please make safety a part of your plans,” said Chief Petty Officer Brad Adams, the officer in charge of Station San Diego. “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.”

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.

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 before leaving the dock could save your life or the life of your passengers.

Wear a life jacket. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of more than 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 the chances for survival. 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 boaters in violation of state or federal laws, or create danger for boaters and passengers on the water. Best of all, it’s free! For more information, visit www.sectorsandiegoauxiliary.us/

Take a boating safety course. Make sure the boat operator is both experienced and competent. Boaters can learn the basics about their vessels and the "rules of the road" inAmerica's Boating Course, a new electronic boating course produced through a partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons. For more information, visit www.americasboatingcourse.com

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 boaters 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

Keep an eye on the Marine Forecast. Environmental conditions are constantly changing. Checking the marine weather forecast before heading out on the water helps mariners be better prepared. For more information, visit www.weather.gov.

Remember the basics. Emergencies can happen to anyone. Ensure that you are equipped with enough food and water to last longer than you plan to be on the water. Know where the safety equipment is kept onboard and how to properly use it. Also, remember to protect yourself against the sun. The reflection off the water may intensify the sun’s effect.

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 San Diego Bay.

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.