Coast Guard reminds boaters to play it safe on the water over Fourth of July holiday

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U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay 305-965-4672 PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom

Coast Guard reminds boaters to play it safe on the water over Fourth of July holiday

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- With thousands of boaters on the water celebrating Fourth of July this week, the Coast Guard stresses to the boating public that Florida's waterways could come with additional challenges and dangers over the holiday.

The Coast Guard encourages boaters to enjoy their holiday on the water but to do so safely. Coast Guard crews, including the Coast Guard Auxiliary, will be patrolling the area and conducting safety checks on the water and at marinas. Crews will be on a close lookout for boaters who are intoxicated or operating their vessel in an unsafe manner. 

In order to be safe, mariners must be aware of their surroundings, including monitoring the weather forecast continuously. Weather conditions can change instantaneously, especially during the summer months off the coast of Florida. 

There are key things boaters can do before leaving the dock that can drastically reduce the risk of accidents and can help a boater should one occur. Some tips to remember are:

• Wear a Lifejacket

The most important thing boaters should remember this weekend is to always wear a lifejacket. Wearing a lifejacket is the easiest way to reduce the risk of a boating fatality.

• Use Flares for Emergencies Only

The Coast Guard receives and responds to numerous calls of boaters firing emergency flares from their vessels. Using a flare as a firework could result in a delayed response to legitimate emergency situations on the water, as well as a Class D felony charge, six years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines and reimbursement of all costs the Coast Guard incurs as a result of the false distress.

• Ask the Captain 

Are you planning to book a charter? Remember to 'Ask the Captain' for merchant mariner credentials. If the boat is carrying more than six passengers, it is required to be inspected by the Coast Guard, and the Certificate of Inspection should be displayed in an area accessible to passengers. 

• Don't Boat Under the Influence

Boaters are reminded the dangers of boating under the influence. The marine environment is inherently dangerous. The addition of alcohol to the mix can be deadly. Intoxicated boaters can face both federal and state charges with penalties of up to one year in prison and fines up to $100,000.

• Take a Boating Safety Course

Safe boating courses are another key ingredient in the safe boating recipe. Programs are in place, such as America's Boating Course, an online boating safety class sponsored by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons. The course can be found at here. 

• Get a Free Vessel Safety Check

Vessel Safety Checks provide a bow-to-stern inspection of a boat's condition and safety equipment. Experienced Coast Guard Auxiliarists along with the U.S. Power Squadrons perform the checks. Operator inattention, careless or reckless operation, operator inexperience and excessive speed are the leading contributor of all reported boating accidents. Find a free safety check in your area by clicking here.

• File a Float Plan and Have an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon

Other important steps boaters should take are to file a float plan, monitor their VHF-FM radio, and have an EPIRB. Filing a float plan is as simple as telling friends, family or marina owners/operators where you are going and what time you expect to be back. Another piece of lifesaving equipment is an Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). When an EPIRB is activated, the Coast Guard is given the global position of the device.

• Be “On Guard”

Boaters should also be on the lookout for any suspicious activity on the water. The Coast Guard asks boaters to help be their eyes and ears on the water. Boaters who see suspicious activity should immediately call their nearest Coast Guard unit or the Coast Guard’s National Response Center at 1-877-24WATCH (1-877-249-2824).  Examples of suspicious activity could include, but not limited to:

• Suspicious persons conducting unusual activities
• Unknown persons photographing/making sketches
• Unknown/suspicious persons loitering for extended periods
• Suspicious persons renting watercraft
• Unknown vendors attempting to sell/deliver merchandise
• Unusual inquiries about facilities, schedules or operations taking place near bridges, ports, power plants, cruise or container ships or any other place of high interest.

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-USCG-