Drifting in the dark
Two Coast Guard members diving off Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, lost their vessel, along with their emergency position indicating radio beacon, marine radio and cell phones. With a flashlight and a filed float plan, the two were safely found and brought to shore after 4 1/2 hours drifting in the water.
National Safe Boating Week 2015: Float plans
Why should you take the time to prepare a float plan? The answer is simple… there are just too many facts that need to be accurately remembered and ultimately conveyed in an emergency situation.
7 tips to keep you safe on the water this winter
If you plan to participate in any water activity this winter – know what will keep you safe! Planning and preparation are key to any safe outing on the water, but also knowing some basic safety and cold-water immersion tips can help save your life. Here are 7 tips to help keep you safe on the water this winter.
Getting underway? Be prepared
Last year, there were nearly 5,500 boating accidents that resulted in more than 550 deaths and 2,600 injuries. Most people look at this statistic and think, ‘It will never happen to me.’ However, most of these accidents involved experienced boaters. It is important to plan for the unforeseeable. What do you really need on my boat? What do you do if you are in need of assistance?
Hurricane Arthur: Stay safe on the coast
With the Fourth of July holiday and warm weather upon us, the beach is a popular destination for both tourists and residents of coastal communities. However, in the midst of hurricane season, it could also become one of the most dangerous destinations. With the first named hurricane of the season, Arthur, making it’s way up the Atlantic Coast, make sure you stay up to date on the latest local weather updates as the holiday weekend progresses.
4 things to do before you get underway
If you’re headed out on the water, it is important to educate yourself on the proper usage of your equipment and more importantly know how to operate your boat safely. How important? It could make the difference between life and death.
Float plans: Safety can’t get any easier
I want to tell you about the most useful safety device available today. When you’re going through your underway checklist, this item should be the first and last thing you mark off. It’s simple and it’s free. It’s called a float plan. Essentially, it’s a “who, what, where and when” of your boat trip.
12 tips for 12 weeks of summer
Written by Petty Officer 1st Class Judy L Silverstein, 7th Coast Guard District Public Affairs. National Safe Boating Week is officially over, but we’re providing 12 tips to highlight the importance of safe boating throughout the 12 weeks of summer. […]
15 rescued after stranded on a Pacific island
The Pacific Islands is a beautiful place to be out on the water. But when things go wrong, the vast ocean presents challenges to search and rescue resources. With limited means of communication across these small islands, mariners must have […]
Float plan helps save six lives
Search and rescue…. one of the Coast Guard’s oldest and most recognizable missions. On an average day, the Coast Guard rescues 13 lives and in 2009 the Coast Guard responded to more than 23,000 SAR cases and saved 4,747 lives. On Sunday evening, […]