Coast Guard urges safe boating with children

Coast Guard urges safe boating with children
Chief Warrant Officer Jeff Parker fits a child with a free lifejacket at the Evergreen Sportsman Show in Monroe, Wash. USCG photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mike Zolzer. MIAMI­­­­­­­­­­ – In the United States, drowning is the most common cause of death in children ages 1 to 4. Throughout December, Coast Guard Seventh District crews are highlighting the importance of child safety and the...

Kayaker survives 17 hours in Long Island Sound

Kayaker survives 17 hours in Long Island Sound
Story and video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Barresi For 12 years, Mike Diaz fished the waters of Long Island Sound from his kayak. He ventured out, escaping the bustle of Long Island to explore and maybe catch a fluke, porgy, striped bass, or sea robin. Throwing on his life jacket was part of his routine. Just as he wouldn’t forget his fishing pole or bait, he never forgot his life jacket. On...

Coast Guard warns Great Lakes water enthusiasts of risk of hypothermia

Coast Guard warns Great Lakes water enthusiasts of risk of hypothermia
Cleveland – The Coast Guard is warning water enthusiasts that warmer temperatures predicted for this weekend could pose safety concerns as water temperatures continue to fall. Air temperatures are predicted to be around 53 degrees while water temperatures will continue to hover around a frigid 40 degrees. “Warm air temperatures can create a false sense of security for boaters,” said...

Coast Guard: Think ice safety this Black Friday, Cyber Monday

Coast Guard: Think ice safety this Black Friday, Cyber Monday
BALTIMORE – Crewmembers at ANT Baltimore carry PEPIRBs while servicing aids throughout the upper Chesapeake Bay. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Brazzell. CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard is reminding people to remember their favorite outdoor enthusiast’s safety while shopping this holiday season. Lifesaving safety gear may not be the first thing gift givers think of when...

Coast Guard seeks public help in locating possible person in distress off Maui

Coast Guard seeks public help in locating possible person in distress off Maui
The Coast Guard is requesting public assistance in identifying the owner of this life jacket found drifting near Molokini Crater, July 5, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo) HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is requesting assistance in locating the owner of a life jacket found floating near Molokini Crater, Sunday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification at 10:38 a.m. that...

Great Lakes Coast Guard kicks off National Safe Boating Week, stresses importance of wearing life jackets

Great Lakes Coast Guard kicks off National Safe Boating Week, stresses importance of wearing life jackets
CLEVELAND — Saturday is the kick off of National Safe Boating Week, an annual campaign sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council, endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard and promoted by multiple state and local agencies throughout the U.S. which promotes safe and responsible boating and runs from May 16-22, 2015. In conjunction with National Safe Boating Week, the 9th Coast Guard District is urging...

Coast Guard recognizes success of Alaska’s boating safety program

Coast Guard recognizes success of Alaska’s boating safety program
JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard recognizes the successes of Alaska’s boating safety program with an 80 percent drop in recreational boating fatalities since HB108, Use, Regulation and Operation of Boats, was introduced in 1998. Boating safety has come a long way since 1998 when there were 38 fatalities; in 2014 Alaska reported seven fatalities. Alaska’s observed life jacket wear rates in the...

Coast Guard urges Boaters to exercise extra caution during fall and winter months

NEW YORK — The Coast Guard encourages owners and operators of vessels to take extra caution as boating conditions worsen during the fall and winter months. The Coast Guard recommends boaters check their local marine weather frequently. Be aware that storms can come up quickly and without warning. Most recently, rescue boat crewmembers from Coast Guard Stations New Haven and Fire Island, N.Y., saved...

Coast Guard reminds public about boating safety over holiday weekend

Coast Guard reminds public about boating safety over holiday weekend
BALTIMORE — As the 2013 boating season comes to a close, the Coast Guard and Maryland Natural Resources Police are reminding boaters about the importance of safe boating practices during Labor Day weekend. The Coast Guard urges the public to always think about safety and to anticipate any possibility when going out on the water. Here are some tips to help boaters have a safe and prepared time on...