USCG Warn of Dangerous Water Temperatures
The Coast Guard is reminding boaters and paddlers heading out on the water this holiday season to keep safety in mind. Weather forecasts are slated to bring unseasonably warm air, but the water can be dangerously cold. The current water temperature in Boston Harbor is 46 degrees Fahrenheit, but last winter during the coldest month it averaged 36 degrees Fahrenheit. “Excited boaters and paddlers in their new canoes and kayaks will understandably want to take advantage of the mild weather,” said Walt Taylor, the 1st Coast Guard District’s recreational boating safety specialist. The ocean and inland waterways in New England pose unique dangers in the wintertime. “When a person falls in cold water, their body responds to initial shock with an instantaneous gasp for air," said Taylor.
USCG Stresses Importance of Free Vessel Safety Checks
As National Safe Boating Week continues, the Coast Guard 9th District is reminding boaters Sunday to get a free vessel safety check from the Coast Guard Auxiliary before going out onto the lakes this boating season. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an all-volunteer force that keeps the nation’s waterways safer and more secure by providing vessel safety checks and boating education courses. The Coast Guard recommends that all recreational boaters, including personal watercraft users and paddlers, take advantage of these free offers. Boaters who have undergone a vessel safety check recently may also find that vessel boardings by Coast Guard boarding officers could be expedited.
U.S. Coast Guard Publishes Propeller Guard Test Procedure Report
The U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety Wednesday announced the release of the Propeller Guard Test Procedure report, intended for use by developers of propeller guard devices and independent third party testing entities to test propeller guard products in a consistent and repeatable manner. "The report provides the means to evaluate the boat performance characteristics and the level of protection of personnel in the water resulting from the installation of a propeller guard on a particular sterndrive or outboard-powered recreational boat," said Phil Cappel, chief, Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch.
Boaters' Week-end Mainly Spent Treading Water in Lake Erie
The Coast Guard inform that 3 boaters were rescued by a good Samaritan Sunday morning after spending 21 hours treading water in Lake Erie after their fishing vessel capsized near Conneaut, Ohio. Fortunately they wore lifejackets. The three were found treading water, hanging onto the hull of their capsized 20-foot fishing vessel. They were suffering from hypothermia and were transported to shore, where EMS took them to a local hospital. “The boaters involved in this incident are alive today because they did two very smart things — they had their life jackets on and they stayed with their boat…
United States Coast Guard Safety Alert
Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship issues Marine Safety Alert (01-12 April 5, 2012). Uninspected 6 or 12 pack Vessels - Rules Apply Know Them! The Coast Guard's Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety has become aware of instances where recreational type boats are being manufactured and sold but do not meet federal construction requirements. In some cases persons holding Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) Operator licenses are operating such vessels while carrying passengers for hire.
