News Release

HONOLULU – The 14th Coast Guard District is encouraging all who work and play on the water to take part in National Safe Boating Week and to obtain a free, waterproof sticker for their small watercraft.

National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 22-28, 2010, raises awareness about safe boating practices such as the importance of wearing Coast Guard-approved life jackets, carrying communication and safety equipment, obtaining safe boating education, and utilizing the services of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron.

This year, the Coast Guard is also emphasizing Paddle Smart, which is a program that provides free, waterproof, reflective, self-adhesive stickers for owners to affix identification and contact information to small, human powered (unregistered) watercraft. The goal of Paddle Smart is to save lives and taxpayer dollars. The stickers can be obtained free at all local harbormasters, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and from Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron offices; stickers will also be available at select marine retail and supply stores.

The Coast Guard also urges boaters to obtain a free vessel safety check from the Coast Guard Auxiliary before taking to the water. Courtesy vessel examinations allow boaters to comply with all boating laws required by state and federal regulations. Most importantly, they help boaters practice smart and safe boating.

More than 700 people nationwide die every year in boating and paddling accidents. Approximately 460 fatalities are from drowning and 90 percent were attributed to boaters not wearing a life jacket. Data for the state of Hawaii reveals that nine people died in boating and paddling accidents in 2009. Alcohol use is the lead contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all reported fatalities nationally.

Here are some other tips to help boaters have a safe time on the water:

• Wear your life jacket! Almost 75 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, nearly 90 percent were not wearing a life jacket;

  

• Make sure a friend or relative knows your float plan. A float plan states where you are going and how many people are aboard your vessel;

  

• Check local weather reports prior to departing;

 

• Know how to operate your equipment. Have up-to-date nautical charts and a reliable means of communication aboard your vessel. VHF-radio is the best method of communication while on the water, and the Coast Guard always monitors VHF channel 16. Although cell phones are a good backup, they can be unreliable due to coverage gaps. A 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) can quickly identify you and your position;

 

• Don't drink and boat;

 

• Take extra care navigating at night and in unfamiliar waters;

 

• Don't overload your boat: Resist the urge to invite more friends or family aboard than what your boat was designed to carry. 

 

For more boating safety information, please visit:

Vessel Safety Checks: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/

 

National Safe Boating Council: http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/

 

For more Paddle Smart information, please visit:

Operation Paddle Smart story: https://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/823/482767/

Paddle Smart Public Service Announcement: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=742089

Paddle Smart Brochure: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=784965

Paddle Smart Sticker: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=785212