DATE: May 14, 2009 4:07:24 PM EDT

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Media Advisory

Date:
May 14, 2009 

Contact:
Lt. j.g. Rachel Perrot
(843) 296-4400
Charleston Coast Guard, state, local officials host media availability

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Coast Guard Sector Charleston will host a media availability at Brittlebank Park, S.C., Friday at 1:15 p.m. to help promote safe boating practices.

 

The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will give the public and media a display of safety equipment and procedures. A search and rescue demonstration will commence at approximately 3:15 p.m. off Coast Guard Station Charleston’s pier.

 

Other boat safety demonstrations and safety inspections will be held throughout the week at various locations around Charleston, S.C., including courtesy exams and inspections given by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

 

National Safe Boating Week begins May 16 and ends May 22. The Coast Guard and local officials are teaming up to inform the public of the deadly risks involved with unsafe boating practices, and the importance of wearing a life jacket when participating in any water activity.

 

Approximately 700 people in the U.S. die every year in boating related accidents. A majority of the accidents are caused by poor judgment and human error, not equipment failure or weather conditions.

 

Wearing a life jacket greatly increases your chance of survival in case of emergency.

 

 

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