North American Safe Boating Campaign Identifies Top 5 Excuses Not to Wear a Life

 

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Aug 14, 2013) - There is one simple strategy that saves lives during recreational boating and that is wearing a life jacket. Yet, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, 85 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket in 2012.

The North American Safe Boating Campaign [http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com] reminds boaters of the importance of boating safety and always wearing a life jacket.

"There's no excuse not to wear a life jacket," said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council [http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/], a lead organization for the campaign. "You can still have fun on the water while wearing a life jacket and boating responsibly."

Just ask Richard VanDermark, an experienced boater and a navigation officer in Orange County, New York. VanDermark recalls the day he went tubing with his family in 2011 when he slipped while helping his grandson onto the boat, hitting his head and falling into the water. Thanks to wearing his life jacket, his son-in-law quickly pulled him out of the water and performed CPR.

"There is no doubt in my mind that my life jacket saved my life. No matter how good a swimmer you are, you never know what will happen when you're boating," said VanDermark. "Always wear your life jacket."

"Wear It!" identifies the top 5 excuses not to wear a life jacket.

1. "I have life jackets on board." Having life jackets on board the vessel is not enough. Accidents happen too fast to put on a stowed life jacket.
2. "I'm a strong swimmer." Even a strong swimmer needs to wear a life jacket. During an emergency, clothing can become heavy or waterlogged while in the water.
3. "It's too hot and doesn't look cool." Old-fashioned, bulky orange life jackets have been replaced with new styles, like inflatable life jackets that may resemble a pair of suspenders or a belt pack. These are much cooler in the warmer weather.
4. "It gets in the way." There are life jacket styles available for any recreational water activity -- fishing, water sports, hunting, paddling and more. There are even styles for pets!
5. "Nothing is going to happen to me." Face it, accidents happen. Boating can be a fun, safe and enjoyable activity, but when the "Wear It!" message is ignored, the consequences can be grim.

The North American Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. It unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, Canadian Safe Boating Council and many members of the National Safe Boating Council.

Follow the campaign on Twitter at twitter.com/boatingcampaign and Like at facebook.com/SafeBoatCampaign. Share your boating story at SafeBoatingCampaign.com.

Contacts:
Yvonne Pentz
Paul Werth Associates
440-670-1294
ypentz@paulwerth.com

Rachel Johnson
National Safe Boating Council
703-361-4294
outreach@SafeBoatingCouncil.org

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1413074#ixzz2czqB4Voe

 

From: The Digital Journal

 

DCAPT David G. Porter
Sector NY - South, 1SR

Coast Guard Day is Here!

Today, August 4th marks Coast Guard Day and the 223rd Birthday for the United States Coast Guard! As we all know, Coast Guard Day recognizes the day in 1790 when the United States Coast Guard was founded as the Revenue-Marine by Alexander Hamilton. It's always great to take the time to honor our servicemen and women past and present and the dedication they have shown to our country through their work with the Coast Guard. I remember my visit to Grand Haven, Michigan on Coast Guard Day six years ago. The Coast Guard Channel had such a great time covering all the events there. We hope to one day get back and see how much it has grown and to share it with all our viewers. This year the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven celebrates 89 years. We hope all of those attending the Festival have a great time and to those that will be celebrating at home or on-duty thank you for your service!

And of course we are not the only ones honoring the Coast Guard this month, we just got wind of this great program from Stray Boots. Stray Boots, a New York City tech startup that creates scavenger hunt-style walking tours in various cities, has launched a military appreciation program with the goal of giving a free tour to every military family across the country. The Stray Boots military appreciation program runs through the summer. Any active or former military personnel can claim their tour for up to six people by visiting strayboots.com/military. Vouchers are also available at the USO offices in the New York Port Authority and Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn with more locations coming on-line soon. This sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to get to know a city (maybe even your own) or a city you may already be planning to visit. Share it with family and friends and look within the coming week the opportunity to win some additional tours as we will be giving them away via our Coast Guard Channel Facebook page. Go and LIKE IT now if you would like to have the opportunity to win.

Photo and Article are Provided by the Coast Guard Channel via DCAPT DG Porter Sector NY South. 

VE Qualification Day at Mill Dam Marina, Huntington, NY

Members of Flotilla 12-07 Air Station Republic, Farmingdale, NY, got together to show their stuff and prove they know their collective way around boats too as five of them conclude the qualification process to become Vessel Examiners within 1st Southern under the tutelage and guidance of fellow Flotilla member and District Captain, David Porter. In all over a two day period in July, the team inspected 28 vessels. Now that these members are trained and qualified, they are ready to set out and make sure that more of the boating public is prepared to be underway safely!

U.S. Issues Global Travel Alert Over al Qaeda Threat

By Jay Solomon, Siobhan Gorman and Julian E. Barnes of the Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—The U.S. issued a world-wide terrorism warning for the month of August due to intelligence indicating al Qaeda and its affiliates are plotting attacks against U.S. interests globally, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, U.S. officials said.

U.S. intelligence agencies have picked up heightened "chatter" between suspected al Qaeda operatives in recent weeks, suggesting they're pursuing plots against Americans, Obama administration officials said.

The U.S. is specifically focused on al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen-based terrorist organization, which includes Saudi nationals among its leaders and has overseen two major plots against the U.S. in recent years.

The State Department ordered the closure this Sunday of dozens of U.S. diplomatic facilities in the broader Middle East, including missions in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq and Kuwait.

"Current information suggests that al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August," the State Department said in a statement.

It warned that tourism resorts, bus and rail systems and airlines could be particular targets.

An administration official said elevated "chatter" between al Qaeda interests was enough to call for the closing of the diplomatic missions on Sunday, though the official described the threat as "midlevel."

"We don't do that too often," the official said about closing American embassies.

Defense officials said there have been no shifts of assets in response to the embassy closures. Defense officials noted that in recent months the Marine Corps has built up quick reaction forces in the region, in large measure to respond to threats against embassies and other diplomatic outposts.

The Marines have been building up their Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams, which are used to reinforce embassies.

The Marines have one FAST team in Rota, Spain and another in Bahrain. The Marines also have a new quick reaction force in Moron, Spain and Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy that can respond to crisis with a few hours. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is also in the Middle East and ready to respond if needed, officials said.

"We have assets that are always on alert," said Capt. Eric Flanagan, a Marine Corps spokesman. "They are ready to respond."

 

DCAPT David G. Porter
Sector NY - South, 1SR

Fourth of July Message

Shipmates,

As the day draws to a close and we return from barbecues, beach ventures, visits with friends and family and a few of us, from work, lets take one brief moment to remember and honor our founding fathers and all those who have passed before their time in service to this great nation and remember those that stand and have stood a taut watch.

As freedom is not free, nor is it without sacrifice, let us honor our men and women of our armed forces here and abroad and to all those in service of our protection, freedom and security. Most of all though, a Bravo Zulu to you all, our Nation's volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard... Thank you for all the work that you do!

I hope that you all have had a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!

David G. Porter
District Captain, Sector NY South

Sent from my iPhone

Boating Safety Message 2013

​ 

News Release ​

​Date: July 2, 2013

Enjoy the 4th -- Safely

NEW YORK – The only thing better than enjoying the 4th of July holidays is living to tell the tales.

If your plans include going on the water, make your trip a safe one and you'll be able to tell those tales.

The two biggest dangers to you, your family and friends are: an overloaded vessel and over indulgence in alcohol.

 

An overloaded pleasure craft is a classic case of the more the merrier turning into a decidedly un-merry tragedy. Nothing spoils a trip faster than having your vessel swamp or sink because you have too many people aboard. Pleasure craft have a rated maximum capacity, established by the manufacturer. Many of these vessels have a rating plate attached to the transom, near the helm or cabin. It's there for a reason. For information that will save lives go tohttp://www.yourboatconnection.com/ybc-extras-1/when-is-a-vessel-overloaded.

 

An overloaded vessel is in even greater danger on a crowded waterway. Throughout the harbor and on both the Hudson and East Rivers, you can enjoy any of a number of fireworks shows from the comfort of your boat. If that's your plan, you'll be joined by other boaters with the same idea.

 

You'll also be under the scrutiny of law enforcement. Local and state agencies and the Coast Guard will be on the water throughout the holidays. An overloaded boat = an unsafe voyage. It can and will be terminated. Your vessel will be inspected for other violations of the law and appropriate action taken – citations, summons, fines and apprehension. None are good ways to end what should have been a pleasure trip.

 

 

The Macy's 4th of July fireworks show on the Hudson River Thursday will feature 25 minutes of spectacular fireworks, arcing up from four barges on the river. The show will also feature more than 1,000 pleasure boats congregating in the Hudson both north and south of where the barges are anchored.

 

In a crowded waterway, an overloaded and underpowered boat is especially at hazard, in danger of being swamped by the wake from another vessel. When your vessel has more people aboard than is safe – people for whom you are responsible as the vessel owner – that vessel responds sluggishly to the controls and sits lower in the water than it should. After the sun sets, the dangers increase with low visibility. A collision with another vessel is not how you want to punctuate your voyage.

 

You should always carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board; it's the law and it will be enforced.  If stowed, these life savers should be readily accessible.  Children should always wear a proper fitted life jacket while underway in a boat.  Just like seatbelts in cars, life jackets save lives.

 

Drinking responsibly also saves lives.  You don't want your voyage to end with you under arrest for BUI (Boating Under the Influence), which is just as hazardous and just as much of a killer as Driving Under the Influence. In 2012, 651 people died in the U.S. in boating accidents; 3,000 were injured and boaters suffered $38 million in property damage.

 

Alcohol was the leading factor in boating fatalities.

 

Every one of those 651 deaths – men, women and children – represents a tragedy that need not have occurred. Each was preventable. Each represents a day of fun and sun that ended in death.

 

Act responsibly; enjoy your holidays; don't turn your pleasure trip into a nightmare.

 

For more information on planning and executing safe voyages go tohttp://www.uscgboating.org/safety/default.aspx.

 

You may also contact the local Coast Guard Auxiliary for additional information or a complimentary Vessel Safety Check.  To schedule a Vessel Safety Check, go to http://cgaux.org/vsc/ or contact your local Flotilla.  You can find more information about the Coast Guard Auxiliary in the New York City area by visitinghttp://division5nyc.org/about.html.

Sent from my iPhone as provided by USCG PA Division via

COMO Vin Pica 1SR

The Passing of John Farrell

Today, June 18, 2013, Sector NY South, 1SR and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary has lost a great comrade and shipmate. John Farrell, Division Commander of Division 2, Sandy Hook, NJ lost his battle with his ailment crossing the bar. His fight was a long and arduous one that he met head on with the doggedness and tenacity that was John Farrell himself. John, where you are now, there is no pain, there is no illness and there is no suffering. There are only safe harbors and calm seas. You sail with the angels my friend and deservedly so. Rest In Peace... 

 

 

 

DCAPT David G. Porter, Sector NY/S
1st Southern Region