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May 25, 2012

National Safe Boating Week kicks off this week, just in time for Memorial Day weekend, which is a big boating weekend. With summer just around the corner people are getting out on the water and local as well as national officials have been busy doing all they can to encourage safe boating practices.

Miami is a very popular destination for Memorial Day. Thousands of visitors flock in from all over the country, and many of them are boaters who come to enjoy the warm weather and the easy breezy cruising that comes along with it. This week every year, boat shipping companies are busy transporting boats from all over the country to be here in time for the popular festivities.

As the holiday weekend nears its arrival, the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue are preparing for heavy patrolling on the high seas on all Florida’s waterways, including Miami, with a focus on recreational boating safety. This year’s safety campaign, “Ready, Set, Wear It,” is designed to encourage boaters to use life jackets and proper safety equipment.

“With all of us coming together including the boating public, we can make Florida’s waterways safer and safer every year,” said FWC spokesman Jorge Pino.

Here in Florida, drinking and boating is big problem that maritime law enforcement wants people to be aware of. Officials urging boaters to be sure to assign a sober skipper at all times.

On a national level, the NOAA National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) have teamed up during National Boating Safety Week (May 19 to 25) to encourage recreational boaters nationwide to know the risks, learn the rules and to be prepared. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were more than 4,000 boating accidents, including 758 deaths, in 2011. Also, nearly 70-percent of all fatal boating victims drowned, and nearly 90-percent of them were not wearing life jackets.

“Lives can be saved by improving the knowledge and skills of recreational boaters,” said Virgil Chambers, executive director, NSBC. “Boaters can have fun and stay safe by wearing a life jacket, having the proper equipment onboard, knowing what the weather conditions will be, and abstaining from alcohol while boating.”

There’s no question that recreational boating is one of the most popular pastimes in the nation, especially holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July. There’s just something about being out on the water for these time’s of celebration and cheer that has a lasting appeal. But it is very important to be safe out there, and to consider all possible risks at all times.

Whether boaters decide to trailer their boats to their holiday destination themselves, or use a boat shipping company to get it there for them, there is no doubt that they will be out enjoying the water this holiday weekend. And why wouldn’t they? It’s the perfect time and a perfect way to relax and savor all that boating life has to offer, but let’s just hope everyone takes heed to officials warnings and does so safely.

Written By: Admin

OCEAN TRADE LINES

[Sources: noaanews.gov, miami.cbslocal.com]

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