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November 2005 Updates FIRST COAST GUARD DISTRICT Al Johnson, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist The recent spate of record-breaking October rains have saturated the Northeast and resulted in a number of U.S. Coast Guard issued press releases warning boaters, paddlers, duck hunters, and anglers of the dangers and unpredictability of high and fast moving flood waters. Fortunately, our high-water warnings have been heeded and our inland waters have not claimed the lives of any boaters or paddlers. It is expected that these conditions will continue to persist into early November and we plan to redirect our efforts to concentrate on the dangers of cold-water immersion. We have also commenced the planning process for our 2006 paddlesport safety events. Our first planning meeting for our third event in New York was held October 19th on Long Island. Two additional meetings are planned this month, one in Bangor, Maine which will be our 6th year, and the other in Connecticut for our 2nd annual event. U.S. Coast Guard representatives, together with members of the CT Department of Environmental Protection and the CT Kayak Association will attend a cold water presentation at North Cove Outfitters on November 16 at Old Saybrook. FIFTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT Dennis Sens, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, District of Columbia Boating Outreach and Displays Change of Venue SEVENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT
(305) 415-7057 – phone bwright@d7.uscg.mil Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands The MADD national conference recently held in Washington, D.C., recognized the efforts of the Lee County Sheriff's Department, Florida. Lt. Morgan Bowden received national recognition for their task force's efforts in addressing boating under the influence (BUI) and driving under the influence (DUI). The Lee County Maritime Law Enforcement task force is comprised of local, county, state, and federal law enforcement entities that strive to coordinate efforts to address safety issues upon the waterways of Lee County, Florida. Throughout the entire year, recreational boating dominates the pristine waters of this west coast county. Joint efforts to combat boating under the influence (BUI) using surge patrol strategies and informational stations at high density launch ramps are some of the methods used to provide a safer boating environment. Chief Warrant Office Peter Louzao, Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Station Ft Myers Beach, one of the original founders of the task force, routinely uses Station Ft. Myers Beach as their special operations command center. EIGHTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT Kevin Kelly, Chief, Recreational Boating Safety Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming Kevin and his family are still recovering from the hurricane disaster. We all wish them well. NINTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT Frank Jennings, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist Currently attending Confluence 2005, Ohio's statewide boating conference, in Cambridge, OH. ELEVENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT Paul Newman, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist Even out here in the West, there can be frost on the pumpkin at this time of year. Water temperatures in Arizona and some pristine Utah and Nevada lakes are in the 50s or below. At the beach towns of Southern California, where you can have more bright sunny days in November than in July, the ocean temperature is about 57 degrees and surfers are donning their thicker wetsuits. In this cold water, without a wetsuit or exposure suit, you could become unconscious in as little as an hour. If you fell overboard after breakfast - and survived the initial cold water shock and gasp reflex - you could succumb to hypothermia before lunch. Treading water and swimming would only reduce your survival time by using up valuable body heat and exposing vital areas of your body to the cold water. So what's the answer? Plan ahead. Think safety. Always wear a life jacket or float coat while hunting, fishing or boating. Stay with the boat and get out of the water if possible if you do fall overboard. Your body loses heat 25 - 30 times faster in the water than in the air. This is the message we're getting out to boaters throughout the fall and winter months. We even have some winter boat shows coming up where U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, state agencies, and others will emphasize cold water survival, as well as other safety information. THIRTEENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT Dan Shipman, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist The summer boating season has wound down and the shift from water-skiing and wake boarding has been made in favor of fishing rods and rain parkas. October rains have once again summoned the annual migration of salmon to Northwest streams and anglers are out in force. Marine safety organizations are placing an emphasis on life jacket wear and the effects of cold water immersion. Mr. Jeff Johnson, Boating Law Administrator from Alaska, was kind enough to participate in the Annual Washington State Marine Law enforcement Conference and presented a very educational and eye-opening presentation on cold water immersion. Be prepared and always wear a life jacket! The U.S. Coast Guard, Washington State Parks, and The Oregon State Marine Board have partnered in an effort to provide real-time boating safety, hazardous bar condition, and restriction information to coastal boaters via Low Power AM Radio. This technology is what highway departments around the country use to inform travelers of road hazards or special conditions. Plans are to have six more sites up and running by spring of 2006 to warn boaters of hazardous sea conditions so that they can make more informed decisions about their boating plans. If you are on the Oregon or Washington coast tune to AM 1610 for local Bar restrictions and boating safety information! The Boaters of the State of Washington lost a fellow shipmate and boating safety advocate last month. Mr. Robert "Hap" Arnold crossed the bar last month after a prolonged illness. Hap was a steadfast and long-time member of the Gig Harbor Yacht Club and member of the Recreational Boaters Association of Washington. He was an advocate to all boaters in the state and served as a founding member of the Washington Alliance for Mandatory Boater Education. His smiling face, red bandana, and charming wit will be greatly missed. With the holidays just around the corner, have Santa put a boater education class in their stockings. Contact your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or United States Power Squadron® for class dates and locations! FOURTEENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT Kent Richards, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Marianas November 16-18, 2005, District 14 will host the Boating Law Administrators' Workshop in Honolulu, Hawaii. Boating Law Administrators from American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, and Hawaii will be in attendance. A number of maritime and boating safety topics will be discussed, including Maritime Homeland Security and Disaster Preparedness. Honolulu Harbor Festival is Sunday, November 6. Come to Honolulu for a wonderful day. Consider giving new Visual Distress Signals and life jackets to your favorite boater this year during the Holiday Season. If you're a boater, practice all the safety rules so that you can be home for Thanksgiving. Blue skies, light trade winds, and calm water doesn't mean the waters are safe. Wear your life jacket whenever you go out on the water. USCG Sector Honolulu is partnering with the State of Hawaii in hosting the Honolulu Harbor Festival, November 6, 2005. Maritime displays are open to the public. Boaters and sailing enthusiasts will participate in various boating events exciting to see. SEVENTEENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT Mike Folkerts, Boating Safety Coordinator Alaska Winter has arrived in the North Country, and most recreational boats are put up for the winter. Proper winterization practices can minimize problems in the springtime when the boat is launched. BoatU.S. posts some outstanding information on winterizing at http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/winter/default.asp Most U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas in District 17 utilize the winter and spring months to offer public education classes in boating safety. Classes are posted on the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's District 17 website at http://www.uscgaux.org/~170/. From there, click on the Public Education tab to find a class near you. Boaters who voluntarily take boating safety classes are very seldom involved in boating accidents and can be eligible for insurance discounts.
Keeping excessive snow loads off boats can prevent sinking or capsizing at the dock. (Photo by Noreen Folkerts) |
