The US Coast Guard reminds the public to use flares responsibly

The Coast Guard would like to remind the public to be safe during the Fourth of July and that flares are to be used for emergencies, not as fireworks.

Flares are essential visual signaling devices that can be used day or night to alert emergency responders and fellow boaters to an emergency situation. Flares are also instrumental in assisting emergency responders to locate those in need of help.

Flares can be dangerous if not handled properly. The following are some safety tips the Coast Guard suggests to properly handle flares:

• Treat a flare as if it is a firearm: don’t point it toward anyone
• Do not look at the flare when launching it
• Hold the flare an arm’s length away from your face
• Keep the flare pointed downwind from your person, any equipment or structures

What the public may not realize is that improper use of flares could potentially divert valuable search assets from an actual distress case and put rescuers unnecessarily in harms way while responding to the false alarm. Not only do false alarms tie up assets that could be needed elsewhere, burn up crew hours and fuel, but they can also prevent scheduled operations from taking place.

"The Coast Guard takes the response to flares very seriously and sends assets to respond until it can be confirmed it is a non-distress situation," said Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Roberto, a search and rescue controller at the Coast Guard District 17 command center in Juneau.

If boaters plan to use flares for training they should contact the nearest Coast Guard unit to inform them of their intentions. Boaters should be prepared to give times, locations and types of flares that will be utilize during the training exercise.

The Coast Guard recommends that boaters properly dispose of old or outdated flares by turning them over to a Coast Guard base, Coast Guard Auxiliary unit and U.S. Power Squadrons Vessel Safety Check Stations. Boaters can also check with their local fire department about the proper disposal of expired flares.

Boating Traffic Expected to Peak This Weekend

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 27, 2011 - It's not a Thanksgiving holiday traffic jam. However, for America's boaters, it may as well be. Boat Owners Association of The United States says the July 4th holiday is expected to bring record numbers of boaters to the water, jamming lakes, rivers and bays with thousands of revelers celebrating America's birthday at evening fireworks displays. With nightfall, it also means a heightened awareness with boating safety.

The 24-hour BoatUS on-the-water dispatch centers and TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist towing fleets are expected to receive a total of nearly 3,000 requests for assistance from boaters during the holiday weekend, with a big spike likely to occur each evening - timed with conclusion of waterfront fireworks shows as boats pull anchor en masse and head home. While this number is down from previous years due to economic conditions, it still means a lot of boaters will need jump starts, tows home or ungrounding help. 

"For many, this will be the only time of year they operate their boat in the dark," said BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water President Chris Edmonston. "As you're about to pull the hook to leave after fireworks show ends, boaters should understand that the risk of having an accident significantly increases after the sun goes down."

Boating at night requires a heightened awareness of the unique hazards a boat may encounter. Obstructions from something as simple as a buoy or even a floating log, to unlighted piers or sandbars, are much more difficult to see. Always post an extra crewmate or guest as a secondary lookout.

Vessel navigation lights are designed to not only help others understand a boat's direction of travel or how fast it is going, but also to help determine what type of vessel it is and what activity it is doing, such as towing a barge. However, it may take a while to get a clear picture of these factors, so be especially vigilant in your approach until you are certain of their intentions. This is why it's so important to ensure your own navigation lights are in proper working order as well.

"The best things you can do to ensure a safe cruise at night are to ensure you have a good lookout, operate at a speed that allows you to react appropriately, have your life jacket on or readily available, and leave the alcohol ashore - it is a leading contributor to accidents after dark," added Edmonston.

Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatUS Press Room at http://www.BoatUS.com/pressroom

Recreational boating fatalities reach record low

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday its official 2010 recreational boating statistics and noted that total fatalities fell to a record low of 672.

The 2010 record is four fatalities less than the previous low in 2004, and is 26 deaths lower than the average number for the past 10 years. While the drop in fatalities is a positive sign, the Coast Guard cautions that the number still represents nearly two deaths per day and remains resolute in its commitment to preventing boating fatalities.

“We’re glad to see the numbers decline,” said Rear Adm. Kevin Cook, director of Prevention Policy for the U.S. Coast Guard. “I am optimistic that the number of deaths and injuries can continue to be reduced further because of the strong commitment to safe boating from our partners in the states, non-government advocacy groups, and the boating industry.”

Total reported accidents were 4,604 in 2010, down from 4,730 in 2009, while injuries totaled 3,153, down from 3,358. Property damage was estimated at $35 million.

The top five primary contributing factors in accidents are operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol use. Alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, and it was listed as the leading factor in 19% of the deaths.

Statistics indicate a clear link between safety and boating education that boaters who have taken a boating safety course are less likely to be involved in an accident. In addition, almost three-quarters of all fatal boating accident victims drowned; and of those, roughly 90 percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket.

“Tragically, so many of these deaths are needless and could have been prevented had boaters taken some simple steps such as taking a boating safety course, not drinking and boating, and always wearing a life jacket,” said Cook.

To view all the 2010 recreational boating safety statistics, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_statistics.aspx. For more information on boating responsibly, go to http://www.uscgboating.org.