USCG Auxiliary Asks America's Boaters to Make Two New Year's Resolutions

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is asking boaters to make a pair of New Year's resolutions. "The first of these is simple and is the most important thing you can do on a boat that may save lives," says Dean Payne, Commander of Flotilla 37, which serves the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

(PRWEB) December 27, 2004 -- That first resolution is "I promise never to get underway before everyone onboard has on a properly fastened lifejacket."

Statistics prove that those on a boat are eight times more likely to live and be rescued if they fall overboard and have on a lifejacket compared to those that are not wearing a personal flotation device.

Payne says the second resolution is also simple and can save time, embarassment and money. It is a pledge to get a free courtesy vessel examination in 2005.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary does free vessel examinations to insure boats are in compliance with all federal and state regulations. "This could save you money as some insurance companies will give you a discount on your insurance if your boat has passed a Vessel Safety Check," explains Payne.

"It could also save you time in finding out what is required for equipment on your boat and the embarrassment of being stopped without having the proper equipment onboard."

The Auxiliary every year conducts more than 100,000 Vessel Safety Checks in the United States. More information about Vessel Safety Checks can be found on the internet at www.safetyseal.net or by contacting one's local Flotilla, which can be found by either visiting the USCG Auxiliary at www.cgaux.org or by contacting the nearest Coast Guard unit.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer civilians who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary in 1941. Its 35,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions.

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