Letter: Safe boating no accident

Editor, Daily News:

In a June 1 editorial, credit was given, deservedly so, to the Parker family who facilitated a water rescue in New Pass.

The National Safe Boating Campaign slogan this year is "You're In Command — Boat Responsibly." As an auxiliarist with the U.S. Coast Guard, I have four additional comments.

1.) Be an educated boater. Take a safe boating class through your local U.S.C.G. Auxiliary. Instructors are trained, certified, have local knowledge and boating experience.

Learn navigation, radio, weather, boat handling, GPS and more. Seventy percent of boating fatalities involve boaters with no formal training and who lacked skills in boat handling and/or boating safety. Graduates have good safety records and may receive discounts from insurance companies.

2.) Boat safely. Get a free vessel exam from your local auxiliary. Many times these exams find equipment which is lacking or outdated.

The decal awarded shows you are a conscientious boater. Also, remember, always file a float plan.

3.) Boat sober. Mixing alcohol with other stressors on the water like sun, heat, wave motion and weather is an invitation to disaster!

4.) Safe boaters save lives! Wear your PFD (life jacket). Of 676 boating fatalities in 2004, some 431 were not wearing a PFD.

Flotilla 93, Naples, will offer its next Basic Boating Skills and Seamanship course starting July 6. For more information, call 649-1080.

— Nancy Reisner / Naples
For the U.S.C.G. Auxiliary, Flotilla 93