Coast Guard Auxiliary urging boaters to follow safety protocols this Memorial Day holiday weekend
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial start to summer, and one of the most popular activities many will be doing over the next few months is spending time out on the water.
Wilmington resident Jake Warner has been boating for many years.
He said that while getting out on the water can be fun, it can also be dangerous.
“My number 1 thing would be just how fast the weather can change,” Warner said. “You can have a beautiful, sunny day like this and then clouds can roll in and you can have a storm in a matter of seconds. Especially in the summer, right now when we have these popup thunderstorms in the afternoon is just to be prepared.”
Making sure boaters know how to handle any changes on the water or emergencies is why the Coast Guard Auxiliary is spending time at the Wrightsville Beach boat ramp this week, reminding everyone they see about how to be safe.
It’s all part of National Safe Boating Week.
They’re offering free boat safety inspections and checking equipment safety items you should have with you, including life jackets, flares, and radio batteries.
Glenn Byrd is the auxiliary vice commander, and he said there are other pieces of equipment boaters need to make sure they have before they head out for a day of fun on the water.
“Things like your engine cut-off switch,” Byrd said. “That’s required by law now and we’ve had several incidents that have happened where people fell out of their boats and the boat continued on because the cutoff switch isn’t attached to them. Other things include your lights, so navigation lights if you’re operating at dusk or at night.”
This week is also important as the Coast Guard is reminding people about boating safety courses they can take.
According to the Coast Guard, in 20-23, 75% of all boating fatalities nationwide were due to drivers not having received or taken any safety instructional courses.
Warner said he appreciates having a week to help boaters be better prepared for their time on the water.
“I think it’s incredibly important just to spread awareness and just to make sure like “Oh, yeah, maybe I haven’t charged the batteries in my radio or maybe I need to replace those flares and just to make sure that everything’s up to snuff for the season. You know, how fast things can go wrong so having the right equipment is really important.”
Byrd also said that if you are going out on the water, pay attention and do not drink if you are driving the boat.
