Coast Guard encourages public to be safe Memorial Day weekend

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast Contact: 1st District Public Affairs Office: (617) 223-8515 After Hours: (617) 717-9609 1st District online newsroom

Coast Guard encourages public to be safe Memorial Day weekend

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BOSTON — The Coast Guard is encouraging the public to be safe on the water this Memorial Day weekend.

"We want to make sure everyone enjoying the holiday makes it home to their families at the end of the day," said Walt Taylor, the First Coast Guard District's recreational boating safety specialist. 

Cold water awareness: Although the air temperature is warm, New England waters are still cold. Ensure you are dressing for the water temperature, not the air temperature. 

Rip Tide Awareness: Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water commonly found in the waters off beaches. Panicked swimmers often try to counter a rip current by swimming straight back to shore, putting themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue. Understand rip currents at https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent.

Wear a life jacket: Life jackets save lives. Accidents can leave a strong swimmer injured, unconscious, or exhausted in the water. Make sure you know your state’s life jacket laws.

Never boat under the influence (BUI): It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

File a float plan: If you are going on the water, tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you should return. The quicker you are reported missing, the quicker we can find you. Download the Coast Guard’s boating application from your phone’s app store. 

Have a VHF marine radio: Cells phones are not reliable on the water, so make sure you also have a radio to access VHF-channel 16, the marine emergency channel. We recommend a waterproof radio and case for your phone.

Monitor weather broadcasts: Watch for current storm and small craft advisories. The National Weather Service broadcasts marine weather forecasts regularly. Forecasts can be heard by tuning in to channels 1 through 5 on a VHF marine radio or by checking the NWS website at www.weather.gov.

Have a signaling device to communicate an emergency: Boaters should have signal flares, whistle, horn, or signal mirror, in addition to an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) to alert first responders to the location of a water emergency.

To view information related to boating safety provided by the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division, please visit www.uscgboating.org

For a free vessel safety check, visit the Coast Guard Auxiliary website: www.cgaux.org.

-USCG-