05/23/2022
One of the main missions of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is sharing the Recreational Boating Safety message! RBS is job #1! This month, Auxiliarists across the nation are getting ready for National Safe Boating Week with Vessel Safety Checks and Public Affairs events, sharing boating safety information. Creating a culture of safe boating is paramount to our organization.
How can you be a responsible boater this boating season? Be prepared!
One of the most important actions a boater or passenger can take, while on the water or dock, is wearing a coast guard approved, well-fitting life jacket.
In addition, getting a free vessel safety check and taking an approved boating course will also get you on the water to safer boating.
The statistics confirm this. Only 12% percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator was known to have received a nationally approved boating safety education certificate. Also,
where cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.
For a free Vessel Safety Check, visit http://cgaux.org/vsc/
For a boating safety course near you, visit https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-safety-courses.php
For more information on life jackets, please visit https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php
Photos: Recent Recreational Boating Safety events include, clockwise, USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 02-08, Portsmouth, NH; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Juneau Flotilla; LaCrosse Flotilla Coast Guard AUX District 8WR; and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 8WR Marine Safety. Thank you for sharing the safe boating message and keeping our waterways safe!
(✍️ Deborah Heldt Cordone, AUXPA1)
that your boat was in full compliance with all Federal and State boating laws during a safety check for that year. Best of all every Vessel Safety Check is 100% Free of charge!