Coast Guard to hold paddle craft safety media availability in Eureka

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/15/2018 03:20 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Pacific Southwest
Contact: 11th District Public Affairs
Office: (510) 437-3325
After Hours: (510) 772-8865
11th District online newsroom

Coast Guard to hold paddle craft safety media availability in Eureka 

WHO: Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay personnel

WHAT: Scheduled to hold a media availability focusing on kayak and stand-up paddle board safety

WHEN: 9 a.m., May 16, 2018

WHERE: Humboats Kayak Adventures, 601 Startare drive, Eureka, CA 95519
RSVP: Media interested in attending should contact Lt. j.g. Audra Forteza at (707) 839-6015 or the duty public affairs watchstander at (510) 772-8865.


MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay is scheduled to hold a media availability focusing on paddle craft safety at Humboats Kayak Adventures in Eureka, 9 a.m., Wednesday. 

Coast Guard personnel will be available for interviews regarding techniques and gear required for safe paddling throughout the Humboldt Bay region. 

“We’re excited to work with the local community to promote safe and responsible paddling this summer,” said Lt. j.g. Audra Forteza, public affairs officer for Sector Humboldt Bay. “As simple as they seem, kayaking and SUP can be very physically demanding and even dangerous if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. We want to encourage people to have fun on the water, but we also want to be sure everyone makes it back to shore.” 

Sector Humboldt Bay personnel will be distributing “If Found” stickers to local paddle sports retailers for owners to label their boards or kayaks. If a paddle craft is found, the sticker provides contact information so rescuers can determine if there is an actual emergency, or if the craft is simply adrift. 

The event is part of the Coast Guard 11th District’s "Be Safe. Be Seen." campaign, which was launched in 2018 to empower paddlers to take responsibility for their safety on the water.  

Every year during May, National Water Safety Month, the Coast Guard highlights recreational boating and paddling safety in an effort to prevent accidents, injuries and deaths during the upcoming summer.

In 2017, Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay units responded to 22 search-and-rescue cases involving paddle craft. For more information on paddling statistics, visit uscgboating.org.

-USCG-