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| News Release |
Date: October 9, 2008 Contact: |
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Coast Guard Reminds Columbus Day Boaters to Stay Safe TAMPA, Fla. - The Columbus Day holiday will bring many boaters to the Tampa Bay area for some fun this weekend, and the Coast Guard reminds all boaters to stay safe, sober and aware while on the water. Coast Guard law-enforcement crews will be conducting routine patrols, safety checks and watching for people boating while intoxicated or operating in an unsafe manner. Boaters should be more aware of their surroundings, including watching the weather and understanding the hazards of boating under the influence of alcohol. Weather conditions can change instantaneously. The National Weather Service broadcasts marine weather forecasts regularly. The forecast can be heard by tuning into channels one through five on VHF marine radios or by checking the NWS website at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/. In addition to monitoring the weather, boaters are reminded of the dangers of drinking while boating. The marine environment is inherently dangerous and the addition of alcohol to the mix can be deadly. Nearly 30 percent of all recreational boating fatalities can be attributed to alcohol use. 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. Florida state laws mandate that boaters six-years-old and under must wear life-jackets while underway, however, the Coast Guard strongly encourages that ALL boaters wear a life-jacket. The Coast Guard also recommends that boaters file a float plan with a friend or family member staying ashore. An example of a float plan can be found at http://www.floatplancentral.org/. The Coast Guard encourages that boaters have a working VHF radio and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) on board and that they observe safety and security zones while on the water this Columbus Day weekend. 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.
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