[May 18, 2012] MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard to kick off National Safe Boating Week in North Carolina Tweet May 18, 2012 (DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- WILMINGTON, N.C. - The Coast Guard in North Carolina is scheduled to participate in National Safe Boating Week May 19 to 25. National Safe Boating Week marks the informal beginning of summer and Coast Guard crews throughout the North Carolina region will be on patrol paying particular attention to recreational boating safety. "We want people to be safe while enjoying their time on the water," said Capt. Anthony Popiel, the commander of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington. "Some simple things they can do to stay safe and be prepared should a problem arise, are to wear their life jackets, let someone on shore know exactly where they are going and when they expect to return, and carry a VHF-FM marine band radio. Cell phones are not a reliable form of communication on the water, whereas a marine radio will be heard by any boat or land station within range of the distress call." In this area, the 2011 statistics show 144 boating accidents resulting in a total of 28 fatalities. Life jackets save lives. Seventy percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84 percent were reported as not wearing a life jacket. Accidents can leave even a strong swimmer injured, unconscious and exhausted in the water. The Coast Guard can narrow down a search for a missing or distressed boater when a boater files a float plan with a friend, family member, local marina personnel or the Coast Guard. A float plan states where you are going and how many people are aboard your vessel. It also gives a vessel description, details your destination and what time you expect to arrive there. If you are delayed for some reason, make sure you let someone know. In addition, a VHF-FM radio is the best method of communication while on the water. Although cell phones are a good backup, they can be unreliable due to gaps in coverage area and the inevitable dead battery. Here are some other tips to help boaters have a safe and prepared summer on the water: *Check the local weather prior to departing the dock. Weather can change very rapidly, and a watchful eye on the forecast conditions is key to safety. *Have nautical charts of the area you are boating in, a global positioning device and a reliable means of communication on board your vessel. *Obtain a free, no-fault vessel safety check, which can be conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, before heading out on the water. The safety checks are courtesy examinations of your vessel, verifying the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. *Boating under the influence or boating while intoxicated is just as deadly as drinking and driving. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Penalties for violating BUI and BWI laws can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges and jail terms. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Media wanting more information are requested to contact the 5th District Public Affairs office at 757-398-6272. For further boating safety information, check online at one of the following: Vessel Safety Checks: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/ Coast Guard Boating Safety page: http://www.uscgboating.org/ National Safe Boating Council: http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/ U.S. Power Squadrons: http://www.usps.org/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]