 April 29, 2003
The USCG recommends that everyone wear a lifejacket and reminds everyone that it is required that children 13-years-of-age and younger wear a lifejacket. Ensure that all flares are up to date, make sure your boat is registered and display your Alaska registration numbers. Boaters can register their vessels at the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicle locations statewide. File a float plan. Tell a friend when and where you're going, and when you expect to return. By doing so, if you do not return at the agreed time, that person can notify the Coast Guard by calling toll free 1-800-478-5555. The sooner the Coast Guard knows you may be in distress, the sooner the Coast Guard can respond to help you. Don't drink and boat! Alcohol effects are intensified on the water. It is dangerous to drink and boat, both for passengers with you and for boaters around you. Know weather conditions before you go. Get the weather forecast before getting underway. The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather service broadcasts weather updates on VHF radio channels 1-7. Also, keep a sharp lookout for current conditions and changing weather patterns. If in distress, contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM radio channel 16. When making a distress call, clearly identify yourself, your location, nature of distress and the number of people aboard your vessel. For boating safety information, visit the 17th Coast Guard District website at http://www.uscg.mil/d17. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is also a great source for boating safety information. Check their website at www.cgaux.org and follow the links to get a free boat safety check. Additional information is located
at the Alaska State Office of Boating Safety website, http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/boating/.
This site contains federal and state boating laws and additional
boating safety information, as well as boat registration information.
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