CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coast Guard, in partnership with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and local Charleston municipalities, are scheduled to participate in National Safe Boating Week at Brittle Bank Park Thursday at 9 a.m.
The Coast Guard, and participating agencies, are holding events to help educate the public on safe boating and water-activity practices.
South Carolina has had 15 fatalities from recreational boating, personal watercraft and drowning accidents so far this year, compared with 11 fatalities for all of 2009. In an effort to promote boating safety, all involved agencies will be out in full force Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer boating season.
Thursday’s events include boating safety presentations, static displays and a question and answer session with representatives from the following agencies:
- Coast Guard
- S.C. Department of Natural Resources
- Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
- Charleston Police Department
- North Charleston Police Department
- Mount Pleasant, S.C., Police Department
- Sullivan’s Island, S.C., Police Department
- Isle of Palms, S.C., Police Department
In addition, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will be conducting courtesy vessel inspections. For more information, please call Capt. Chisolm Frampton of SCDNR at (843) 953-9307 or Auxiliary member Barbara Burchfield at (803) 240-9264.
The Coast Guard wants everybody who participates in water activities to have a good time, and most importantly to be safe. For more information, please visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/.