Date: Dec. 22, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

HONOLULU --With the holiday season already here, the U.S. Coast Guard wishes to remind mariners that boating safety equipment can make great gifts for friends and loved ones who enjoy boating.

To enjoy a safe day on the water, the Coast Guard suggests that boaters file a float plan -- simply letting a reliable loved one or friend know where you are going, when you are going to be back, and what kind of vessel you have. That person can call the Coast Guard if you don't return on time and save critical time during searches.

Also be aware of weather and water conditions; never boat or paddle alone.  Be cautious -- do not exceed your ability to handle your vessel; be constantly aware of other vessels in the immediate area.

Here are various safety items you can purchase to make your boating experience safer:

Personal flotation devices, or life vests, are highly recommended. Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water which permits proper breathing. To meet Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket for each person aboard.

Boats 16 feet and larger must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well. All states have regulations regarding life jacket wear by children. Adult-sized life jackets will not work for children, but special sizes for children are available.

To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, fit snugly, and not allow the child’s chin or ears to slip through.  Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once each year. Waterlogged, faded, or leaky jackets should be discarded. Life jackets must be properly stowed. A life jacket -- especially a snug-fitting flotation coat or deck-suit style -- can help you survive in cold water.

The Coast Guard encourages coastal and off-shore recreational boaters as well as sea kayakers to carry a VHF marine radio -- either a fixed system or handheld unit -- and be familiar with its operation and radio procedures. The VHF radio, monitored on channel 16, is your gateway to communicating with the Coast Guard or other vessels in your area. It can be a life saver in a distress situation.

Another device the Coast Guard recommends when going out on the water is an EPIRB, or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. The 406 MHz EPIRB is GPS enabled and automatically activated when it is removed from its bracket and gets wet. The battery it uses will offer 48 hours of operation. In the event of an emergency, an EPIRB signal can shorten the Coast Guard's response time, and get you to safety sooner.

The holidays afford people with plenty of opportunity to enjoy Hawaii's waters. If you boat, commit to boating sober. According to Coast Guard statistics, many boating accidents can be attributed to alcohol. An intoxicated person in the water faces a double danger – being unaware of the onset of hypothermia and increased disorientation resulting from inner ear disturbances.

As with drinking and driving, boating while intoxicated is illegal. Both the Coast Guard and individual states enforce Boating Under the Influence laws and violators face substantial fines, losing their operator privileges, and jail time. The Coast Guard and state law enforcement agencies have concurrent jurisdiction, meaning they can both enforce BUI laws.

The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all boaters take a recreational boating safety course and obtain a vessel safety check. Even if you pay careful attention to safety, dangerous mechanical problems can crop up on the best-maintained boat. That's why the U.S. Coast Guard recommends all recreational boaters take advantage of the free vessel safety check program. Vessel safety checks are conducted by local Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas.

Boaters in distress may contact the Coast Guard in Honolulu, on VHF Channel 16 or 808-842-2600. Additional course information is also available through the BOAT/U.S. Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT. For additional boating safety tips, boaters can access the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Web site at: http://uscgaux.org/ or  www.uscgboating.org. 

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