News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 11th District PA Detachment LA/LB Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment LA/LB Office: (310) 521-4260 After Hours: (310) 781-0619 PA Detachment LA/LB online newsroom

Coast Guard, local partners to host press briefing for spiny lobster season

Editors' Note: Media must RSVP with Public Affairs Detachment Los Angeles-Long Beach personnel at 310-781-0619 no later than 8:00 a.m. Friday. All media must have media credentials and government issued identification to access the base.

WHO: Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

WHAT: The Coast Guard and local partners are scheduled to hold a press briefing and equipment safety demonstration to inform the public on how to stay safe during increased diving activity associate with the upcoming spiny lobster season.

WHEN: Friday at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: 1001 S. Seaside Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731

 

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — The Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department and California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel are scheduled to host a press briefing and equipment safety demonstration at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach Friday before the start of spiny lobster season.

The start of the spiny lobster season, which begins Saturday, marks an increase in dive activity in Southern California waters, and consequently a spike in dive-related injuries. All mariners should remain vigilant when navigating areas where a dive flag is displayed.

All divers are urged to exercise caution and implement the following tips:

• Have a medical assessment completed by a doctor before diving.
• Plan the dive, follow the plan and provide a float plan to someone ashore who can report divers overdue if they do not return as planned.
• Never dive alone
• Choose dives that match one's training, experience and fitness level.
• Practice emergency procedures, like dropping one's weight belt and inflating the buoyancy compensator, in a controlled environment.

-USCG-