SAN PEDRO, Calif. – With the holiday boat parade season upon us, the Coast Guard wants to remind boaters and observers of certain safety pointers.
General safety hazards for ALL boat operations:
- Illegal charters
- Overloaded or unsafe electrical systems due to Christmas lights
- Too many passengers affect stability of vessels – ensure compliance with maximum capacity
- Recreational boats cannot charge passengers to board their vessels – illegal, resulting in fines
- 5 knot speed limit strictly enforced during all boat parades
Spot checks may be conducted on certified T-Boats:
- Adequate number of lifejackets
- Merchant Mariner licenses onboard
- Adequate number of crewmembers
- Compliance with vessel security plans
Just like in past years, Coast Guard marine inspectors will be conducting additional inspections of vessels involved in the parades and evening trips.
