Coast Guard Auxiliary Takes Spring Break Seriously

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Date:
29 March, 2010
Contact:
Kirk Scarborough
USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs Dept.
Email: Captkirk55@aol.com

Press Release

Coast Guard Auxiliary Takes Spring Break Seriously

The Coast Guard Auxiliary encourages Life Jackets be worn during spring break, as the season begins to thaw out from winter. Boating is a big part of Spring break celebrations. And wearing a life jacket while having fun on the water makes good sense. Today’s life jackets are technologically advanced, making them more comfortable and less restrictive.

Of the boating fatalities that occurred in 2009, 67 percent of the victims drowned. Of that group, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket. Knowing how to swim is one of the most common reasons given for not wearing a life jacket and gives boaters a false of security. Often the victim has a serious injury or is knocked unconscious and cannot swim. Other factors that can affect swimming ability include cold water immersion, heavy cloths and alcohol consumption. Be sure to check local and state laws that regulate rivers, lakes and oceans.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is now recruiting members to help support Life Saving Education and prevention. For More information: www.auxpa.org

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the uniformed civilian, volunteer Component of Team Coast Guard assists the active duty Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.

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UPCOMING NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs



Date: 10 February, 2010
Aux. Kirk Scarborough
Public Affairs Officer
Captkirk55@aol.com
714 777-2300

Press Release
UPCOMING NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK

Long Beach, CA --- It’s almost time for the recreational boating “fleet” to come out of mothballs to enjoy good times in the sun and on the water! So it is time to remind the public that safe boating will lead to more enjoyable outings.

National Safe Boating Week is May 22 – 28. During this week, look for events in your community hosted by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Attend one and learn what you and your families can do to be safe and to enhance your recreational experience on the water.

4,789 boating accidents were reported in 2008, leading to 709 deaths, 3,331 injuries, and an estimated $54 million of damage to property, according to Coast Guard statistics. Over 2/3 of all fatal boating accident victims were the result of drowning, and of these, 90% were not wearing a life jacket.

What can you do to be safe on the water?

Take a boating safety class. Find local course listings at http://www.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/index.html .

Get a free vessel safety check. Find a qualified examiner at http://www.safetyseal.net/GetVSC/

Ensure that everyone aboard your boat wears a life jacket. http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org

Don’t forget to watch for, and participate, in National Safe Boating Week! www.safeboatingcampaign.com

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The 30,000 volunteer members (men and women), America’s Volunteer Guardians, support the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service’s missions.

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Comfortable Life Jackets: NOT an Oxymoron

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs



Tom Loughlin
Public Affairs Officer
tom-bon@msn.com

News Release

Comfortable Life Jackets: NOT an Oxymoron

Most of us have seen the life jackets worn on cruise ships. They are big and bulky and really ugly. But if that ship sinks out to sea that really ugly and bulky life jacket will save your life.

Hey, wait a minute. You aren’t out to sea and you don’t need to wear one of those big ones. But what do you wear to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones?

Most of us enjoy boating on lakes or within a few miles of dry land. Most of us know that 70-80% of fatal boating accidents victims died by drowning and that 85-90% of them drowned because they were not wearing a life jacket. Some of us even know that well over 400 lives could have been saved last year if life jackets had been worn. Then why don’t we wear life jackets whenever we are on the water?

We say “they’re bulky,” “they get in the way,” or “they are uncomfortable” to explain why we don’t wear a life jacket all the time, knowing that not wearing a life jacket has led to lives lost. These words have been a poor excuse for way too long. Now we have the best of all worlds. Now we can protect ourselves and those we love without sacrificing comfort.

Inflatable life jackets! They are approved for adults 16 years and older and come in so many colors and styles that you will have a hard time choosing the one you want.

The lightweight inflatable life jacket totally eliminates the excuse that wearing a life jacket is awkward or clumsy or cumbersome. Some are worn as a belt with a “fanny pack.” Most are rather like suspenders but with the value of being able to save your life. Fishermen and for hunters will appreciate special inflatable vests (oh yes, some hunters get to their hunting sites by water). These have extra pockets and loops for their gear and even come in camouflage colors. All of these life jackets can be brought on board aircraft if you’re flying to a boating, hunting or fishing destination.

The costs, especially in comparison to the value of your life or the lives of loved ones, are negligible. Inflatable life jackets for lakes and close inshore that are CO2 activated by pulling a lanyard will cost less than $100.00; those for offshore with automatic inflation and providing more buoyancy can range up to $200.00.

All inflatable life jackets can also be manually inflated by blowing into a tube near the wearer’s mouth. Children, and adults who are poor or non-swimmers, should continue to use the inherently buoyant Type II life jackets because in a stressful situation such as being unexpectedly thrown overboard they might forget to activate the pull cord to trigger the CO2 cartridge. www.safeboatingcampaign.com

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer civilians who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation’s waterways, in classrooms and on the dock, performing safety patrols, vessel safety examinations and public education. The 30,000 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF RESPONSIBLE BOATING

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs



Date: February 10, 2010

Aux. Doug Edelman
Public Affairs Officer
edeldoug@charter.net
636-379-0877
http://auxpa.org

Press Release

FUNDAMENTALS OF RESPONSIBLE BOATING

Each year the US Coast Guard Auxiliary partners with the National Safe Boating Council and other organizations during National Safe Boating Week and throughout the year, to promote safe and responsible boating. We would like to remind the boating public that their safety depends on these FUNDAMENTALS.

Life Jackets Save Lives

In 2005, Coast Guard Statistics[1] indicate that drowning was the cause of 70% of that year’s boating fatalities, and 87% of the drowning victims were not wearing their life jackets at the time. The Coast Guard estimates that 426 lives could have been saved in 2005 if these boaters had followed the first Fundamental Principle: WEAR IT!

While boating fatalities have been steadily decreasing over the past several years, many more would be prevented if everyone wore their life jacket every time they get out on the water. Life jackets save lives!

Boater Education Saves Lives

Missouri’s Mandatory Boater Education Law took effect January 1, 2005, and requires that every Missouri resident born after January 1, 1984 who operates a vessel on Missouri lakes must carry a boating safety identification card issued by the State Water Patrol and a valid photo ID. This includes personal watercraft like Jet-Skis. The boating safety ID card indicates successful completion of a boating safety education course.

Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering the “boating courses”. Successful completions of this course will not only earn the boating safety ID card, but will give your invaluable information, which will help you remain safe on the water.

Course Preregistration is necessary. Sign up or for more information by contacting www.auxpa.org

Safe Boats Save Lives

Know the federal and state requirements for operating a vessel, and make sure your boat or personal watercraft is in compliance. Have a Vessel Safety Check performed to ensure that your vessel meets these requirements and has all the necessary safety equipment on board and in good condition.

Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will be conducting free Vessel Safety Checks. If you will not be available at this time, you can schedule a check by contacting www.cgaux.org

Sober Boating Saves Lives

Approximately one third of all recreational boating fatalities involve alcohol. Alcohol affects vision, coordination, balance and judgment. Alcohol will impair your ability to safely operate your boat even more than it impairs your ability to drive a car.

It is not just the operator drinking that poses a risk. It is dangerous for your passengers to drink on the water as well!

Alcohol's effect on your BALANCE can be critical on a boat. When you are "tipsy", the unstable, moving platform of the boat can easily cause you to fall overboard.

Alcohol also reduces your body's ability to protect you against the cold water. When you’ve been drinking, the numbing effects of cold water occur much faster than when you are sober. Within minutes, you may not be able to call for help, swim to a float, or reach the safety of the boat.

To learn more about boater education, Vessel Safety Checks and other services provided by the Coast Guard Auxiliary – or if you are interested in learning how to become one of us – please visit us online at www.cgaux.org

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer civilians who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation’s waterways, in classrooms and on the dock, performing safety patrols, vessel safety examinations and public education. The 30,000 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions. www.safeboatingcampaign.com

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Boating Statistics – 2005; 47th Annual Report, United States Coast Guard, Commandant Publication P16754.19, August 31, 2006