HONOLULU – Representatives from the City and County of Honolulu, the 14th Coast Guard District, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron participated in the signing of a proclamation for National Safe Boating Week at Honolulu Hale, Friday.
The proclamation acknowledges the ongoing issue of boating safety. Between 2008 and 2012, Hawaii recorded 100 boating accidents, involving 107 vessels that resulted in 14 injuries and 27 deaths. In 2012, there were 651 boating related fatalities nationally. Of those, 501 were known to have not been wearing lifejackets.
National Safe Boating Week runs from May 17-23 and is an annual initiative sponsored by the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary to raise awareness of and encourage safe boating practices.
“The Coast Guard greatly appreciates Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s support in recognizing the importance of National Safe Boating Week for the City and County of Honolulu,” said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Nakama, director of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. “Mayor Caldwell’s proclamation solidifies the commitment from federal, state and local agencies to collaboratively establish education and awareness activities so that residents and visitors alike can safely enjoy Oahu beaches and offshore waters.”
National Safe Boating Week also highlights the importance of life jackets, purchasing, maintaining and registering an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, carrying safety and communication equipment aboard a vessel and the use of float plans and Paddle Smart stickers.
For more information on safe boating visit www.uscgboating.org, contact your nearest Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla to schedule a courtesy Vessel Safety Check or visit http://www.cgaux.org/vsc.
For more information about the 2014 National Safe Boating Week, visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/.
