Mayor Vincent C. Gray signed a proclamation declaring the week of May 18th through 23rd, 2013, as “Safe Boating Week” throughout the District of Columbia. “Safe Boating Week” kicks off a yearlong campaign to promote boating safety through life jacket wear, knowing the rules on the water, and being a responsible boater. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is participating in “Safe Boating Week” in the Washington, D.C. area by providing free vessel safety checks. Do you know how many life jackets you need to have aboard your boat? How about child size life jackets for when the kids or grandkids visit? These vessel checks are an opportunity for boaters to check their safety equipment, such as life jackets or flares, check their navigation lights, and ensure they meet Coast Guard requirements before the start of the summer, and the busy boating season.
For more information on these vessel safety checks, go to www.washingtonflotilla.org. Along with other boating safety partners, the Coast Guard Auxiliary wants to help boaters in and around Washington, D.C. have a worry-free, safe, and memorable boating season. D.C.’s “Safe Boating Week,” part of a larger National Safe Boating Week, encourages all boaters, their friends, and family to “Wear It!” – wear a life jacket when on the water at all times. It saves lives!
For more information about the “Wear It!” campaign, and National Safe Boating Week, go to www.safeboatingcampaign.com.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org