MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard, partner agencies to hold Memorial Day Weekend press briefing

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast Contact: 7th District Public Affairs Office: 305-415-6683 After Hours: 786-367-7649 7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard, partner agencies to hold Memorial Day Weekend press briefing

 

Editor’s Note - Media are asked to be at the Crandon Park Marina boat ramp no later than 9:45 a.m. for more information and/or to RSVP, please contact Nichole Betterson, Public Affair Specialist at 786-214-0350.

WHO: Coast Guard Lt. Wallin, Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Commander; Major Escanio, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and representatives from Biscayne National Park, City of Miami Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

WHAT: Press briefing about safe boating for National Safe Boating Week and a life jacket demonstration.

WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 10:00

WHERE: Crandon Park Marina Boat Ramp, 4000 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, FL., 33149   

MIAMI, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard along with partner agencies are scheduled to hold a press briefing to kick-off National Safe Boating Week in South Florida, Thursday. 

 

During the kick-off weekend, increased traffic on the water is expected. Coast Guard stations throughout the Coast Guard 7th District and state and local law enforcement and first responders will be on patrol to ensure safety and security on the water, but the Coast Guard reminds boaters that safety starts at the dock before you board your boat. 

Before heading out make sure every passenger, including the captain, is wearing a life jacket. Over 80 percent of all drownings can be attributed to not wearing a life jacket; nobody knows when an accident will occur so wearing a life jacket helps alleviate the panic of finding one in case of emergency.

As the nation’s recreational boating safety coordinator, the Coast Guard works to minimize loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm. The Coast Guard encourages all boaters to:

• Download the Coast Guard Mobile App. The mobile app provides the essential services and information most commonly requested by boaters.
• Register your EPIRB/PLB and DSC Marine Radio. Properly registered equipment will help speed up post-accident recovery.
• File a float plan. Let someone know where you’re going. Coast Guard, state and local law enforcement and first responders have the ability to start a search quicker if we know where to begin.
• Get a vessel safety check. Making sure you have the proper equipment on your boat increases your ability to arrive back at the dock safely.
• Take a boating safety education course. Educating yourself on recreational boating safety can help reduce the risk of accidents.

As always, never board a boat with an intoxicated captain. Only a third of the alcohol needed to make a person impaired on the road can make a person equally impaired on the water, so use extreme caution when drinking this weekend. 

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-USCG-