Coast Guard emphasizes boating safety in South Central Alaska

	Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard Seventeenth District

News Release	Date: Sept. 4, 2009 Contact: Ensign Allie Ferko Phone: (972) 533-8185
Coast Guard emphasizes boating safety in South Central Alaska
Editor’s note: A media availability event about boating safety will be held at the Big Lake North boat ramp, Monday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. If interested in attending, please contact Ensign Allie Ferko at 972-533-8185 or Petty Officer 1^st Class David Mosley at 709-321-4510. ANCHORAGE, Alaska - With Labor Day weekend being one of the last chances of the season for boating, on the water safety becomes all the more important as many boaters head to area lakes, rivers and the open water. The best way to stay safe is to prevent an accident before it occurs. Prevention of accidents can be accomplished by following these important safety tips: Always wear a life jacket Carry a VHF-FM marine radio and/or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon Don't drink and boat Take a boating class, educated boaters are safe boaters Check weather forecasts Make sure the boat is in good repair Check all safety gear and ensure that everybody is trained in its use Don't overload your boat Operate at a safe speed; a safe speed is the distance you can safely stop to avoid a collision in the prevailing visibility and or density of boating traffic File a float plan; Float plans outline your voyage by documenting times and locations of departure and expected arrival, number and ages of people on board, vessel description, safety equipment on board and much more. A copy should be left on the dashboard of your vehicle, visible from the outside, as well as with a responsible party in which you keep in regular contact. They should be instructed that in the event your vessel does not arrive as planned, to contact the nearest Coast Guard station. If an accident does occur, the most important step a boater can take to reduce the risk of injury or death is to wear a life jacket at all times. A Coast Guard approved life jacket is required for each passenger on board, and children 12 years-old and younger must wear a life jacket at all times. With 14 fatalities last year, Alaska has one of the highest non-commercial boating fatality rates per capita in the nation. In Alaska drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death. "Safety while boating takes proper preparation with an eye toward safety, especially in Alaska with ever-changing weather and the remoteness of many boating areas." said Capt. John Kenyon, Commander Coast Guard Sector Anchorage. "By taking a few precautionary steps like wearing your lifejacket, having a VHF radio on board and filing a float plan boaters can be better prepared in the event that something unplanned happens." The volunteer arm of the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be providing free boat safety examinations at both the North and South Big Lake boat ramps this weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Boaters are encouraged to utilize this free service to better ensure their safety while on the water. For more information about courtesy boat safety examinations contact Monika Renke of the Coast Guard Auxiliary at 907-355-6503. The Coast Guard encourages boaters to enjoy your time on the water, but remember to boat responsibly. More information is available at the Coast Guard's boating safety website: http://www.uscgboating.org/ A float plan can be found at http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/saf_float.htm
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