| Sector Detroit U.S. Coast Guard |
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| Press Release | Date: May 05, 2006 Contact: LT Catherine Mellette |
SAFE BOATING PRACTICES FOR THE 2006 BOATING SEASON DETROIT - As the 2006 boating season starts, the U.S. Coast Guard would like to remind recreational boaters of the importance of adhering to safe boating practices. In the month of April alone, 7 deaths in the Coast Guard Sector Detroit area of responsibility, spanning from Western Lake Erie thru Lake St Clair to Southern Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, can be attributed to boaters not wearing lifejackets. Wearing a life jacket while boating is the best way to avoid these unnecessary deaths. Children under 13 are required to wear a life jacket while underway on a recreational boat, except when they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. It is important for boaters to not be fooled by 70-80 degree air temperature and a shining sun. The average water temperature of the Central Great Lakes is still around 48 degrees. An average 165lbs male in good health in 48 degree water has about 3 hours of survivability. The Coast Guard recommends boaters adhere to the following safety guidelines. 1. Wear a life jacket. 2. Onboard you should have a VHF-FM radio, compass, whistle/horn, fire extinguisher, flares, rope and flashlight. 3. Develop a Float Plan - notify family and/or friends of where you will launch, your destination, who is with you, when you will return, boat's registration number and your cell phone number if you have one. 4. Avoid alcohol use when operating a boat. 5. Have your boat checked annually for safety and maintenance concerns. 6. Take a boating safety class. Additional boating rules, regulations and safety techniques can be accessed on the Internet at our website: http://www.uscgboating.org/. Coast Guard Sector Detroit directly oversees all Coast Guard missions on South Lake Huron, Lake St Clair and Western Lake Erie from Alpena, Michigan to Vermilion, Ohio. |
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