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Ogdensburg Coast Guard Auxiliary marks 'Safe Boating Week,' say all boaters should wear life jackets

Posted 5/14/15

OGDENSBURG -- Wearing a life jacket is one of the simplest life-saving strategies for recreational boaters, according to boating safety advocates from Ogdensburg’s U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in …

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Ogdensburg Coast Guard Auxiliary marks 'Safe Boating Week,' say all boaters should wear life jackets

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- Wearing a life jacket is one of the simplest life-saving strategies for recreational boaters, according to boating safety advocates from Ogdensburg’s U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in light of what they are calling "National Safe Boating Week," May 16 to 22.

National Safe Boating Week is the official launch of the 2015 North American Safe Boating Campaign.

The yearlong campaign promotes boating safety and voluntary, consistent wear of life jackets by recreational boaters through the national theme, “Wear It!”.

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in 75 percent of recreational boating fatalities in 2013, and that 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

“New life jackets are much more comfortable and lightweight than the bulky orange style many boaters know,” said John Johnson, chief executive officer of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. “Inflatable life jacket options allow for mobility and flexibility during boating activities like fishing, paddling or hunting, and are much cooler in the warmer weather.”

Throughout the campaign, “Wear It!” will also remind boaters of the importance of boating sober and knowing navigational rules, such as operator’s responsibility, maintaining a proper lookout, safe speed, crossing, meeting head-on and overtaking situations.

For recreational boaters looking to learn more, the auxiliary teaches America’s Boating Courses throughout the year.

For dates and times of classes in the Ogdensburg area, contact John Gardner at 393-6488 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.