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| Press Release |
Date: July 3, 2007
Contact: Petty Officer Dana Warr |
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Coast Guard Reminds Boaters to Celebrate Responsibly MIAMI - The Coast Guard reminds the Southeast Florida boating public to boat responsibly as Fourth of July celebrations on the water can be inherently dangerous with more than 186,400 registered vessels in the West Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Coast Guard law enforcement crews will be patrolling, conducting safety checks and watching for people boating while intoxicated or operating in a unsafe manner. The public should be more aware of their surroundings, including watching the weather and understanding the hazards of boating under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substances. In addition to decreasing the operator's ability to make good judgments, the consumption of alcohol also negatively affects the ability of passengers to respond in the case of an emergency on the water. Intoxicated boaters can face both federal and state charges with penalties of up to one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. The Coast Guard reminds boaters not to use emergency flares as celebratory fireworks. Flares should only be used in times of distress. Boaters are also reminded to always were their life jackets, file a float plan with a friend or family member, have a working VHF radio and EPIRB on board. Finally, the Coast Guard wants everyone to enjoy their time on the waters but if you observe suspicious behavior or activity, you should simply note the details and contact local law enforcement or America's Waterway Watch at 1-877-24WATCH. Additional information on safe and secure boating practices can be found at the Coast Guard's Office of Boating Safety page at http://www.uscgboating.org/ or by calling (800) 368-5647.
The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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