Media Availability: Coast Guard, National Weather Service to launch new Paddle Craft Risk-Cold Water alert system

united states coast guard 

Media Availability   

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
(757) 434-7712
5th District online newsroom

Coast Guard, National Weather Service to launch new Paddle Craft Risk-Cold Water alert system

 

 

WHO: Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads, National Weather Service

WHAT: New Paddle Craft Risk-Cold Water warning system

WHERE: Sector Hampton Roads, 4000 Coast Guard Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23703

WHY: To reduce paddle craft incidents by increasing public awareness of cold-water danger

WHEN: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 10 a.m.

 

 

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads and the National Weather Service are scheduled to launch an awareness and outreach program Tuesday.

This joint program will periodically issue statements to alert the public to the hazards of cold water and to address the sharp increase in Coast Guard responses to kayak and paddle board incidents.

Media members are invited to attend an open house at 10 a.m. Tuesday to interview representatives from the Coast Guard and National Weather Service for details about the program. A Coast Guard survival swim demonstration is also scheduled.

The Paddle Risk-Cold Water warning program is designed to notify the public of cold water temperatures, especially on deceptive days that are relatively warm with calm winds. The program will be implemented for all the Wakefield Forecast and Warning coastal areas to include Virginia, portions of northeast North Carolina and lower Maryland Eastern Shore.

Coast Guard Capt. Richard Wester, commander, Sector Hampton Roads, will be available for interviews, along with Jeff Orrock, Meteorologist in Charge, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service in Wakefield.

Media interested in attending, please contact Coast Guard 5th District Public Affairs at 757-434-7712 to RSVP.

 

-USCG-