(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The U.S. Coast Guard 17th District will join the rest of the nation this week in observing National Safe Boating Week Monday through Friday to encourage safe boating practices and prevent recreational boating accidents.

“Alaska’s weather can change with little to no warning and it’s important for boaters to plan appropriately before heading out to enjoy Alaska’s pristine waters,” said Mike Folkerts, recreational boating safety coordinator, Coast Guard 17th District. “The Coast Guard encourages mariners to always wear their life jackets, have a reliable means of communication onboard their vessel like a VHF radio and to file a float plan with friends, family or their local harbormaster before leaving port.”

National Safe Boating Week is organized by the National Safe Boating Council with many partner agencies in the U.S. and Canada, including the Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadrons, BoatUS, the American Canoe Association, and local groups to encourage safe boating practices and educate the public. This week is timed to coincide with Memorial Day weekend, one of the biggest recreational boating weekends of the year.

The Coast Guard released its 2013 Recreational Boating Statistics last week, revealing that boating fatalities last year totaled 560 nationwide, the lowest number on record. The report states alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Where the cause of death was known, 77 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned; of those drowning victims, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket. In Alaska, deaths and accidents in 2013 totaled 10 fatalities, the lowest since 2009.

The Coast Guard encourages all boaters to be responsible while on the water and avoid the consumption of alcohol. The use of life jackets, emergency beacons, flares, float plans and appropriate communications devices are advised for anyone operating watercraft. To ensure compliance with boating safety requirements, Coast Guard Auxiliarists will be offering boat inspections and safety classes in many coastal Alaskan towns. To schedule a free vessel safety check, click here.

More information on the importance of boating safety and resources detailing steps that can be taken to minimize risk on the water can be found at safeboatingcampaign.com and uscgboating.org.

On the Web:

2013 Recreational Boating Statistics
http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/2013RecBoatingStats.pdf

Source of News: 

USCG
www.uscg.mil

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