By Sergeant Bobby Randazzo
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division 6, is announcing the 2008 National Safe Boating Week Campaign. The campaign will officially run from Saturday, May 17th through Friday, May 23rd and is designated as National Safe Boating Week. The Auxiliary is hoping to raise awareness of the dangers with boating and try to reduce the number of boating casualties in Miami-Dade County.
The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will host a kick-off news conference with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez at Crandon Park Marina in Key Biscayne on Wednesday, May 14th, 2008, at 11:00 AM. Mayor Alvarez will issue a proclamation stating that May 17 through May 23 is “Safe Boating Week” in Miami-Dade County.
On Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 9:00AM to 1:00 PM, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be providing free Vessel Safety Checks Stations at Miami-Dade County boat ramps. Boat owners will be advised of any safety deficiencies and informed of any corrective action that needs to be taken. Vessels that pass the inspection will be given a special Vessel Safety Check decal showing they passed the inspection. No citations will be issued to the Operator of the vessels as part of this program. Vessel Examiners will be at the following marinas: Black Point Marina, Crandon Park Marina, Haulover Beach Park Marina, Matheson Hammock Marina and Watson Island Boat Ramp in the City of Miami.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs personnel will be participating in the "Fit to Float" campaign at Bass Pro Shops in South Florida on Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, 2008, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The "Fit to Float" offer boaters the opportunity to exchange old and or unusable life jackets for an instant credit towards a new life jacket.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will also be teaching a one-day boating safety course entitled "About Boating Safely" at three locations in Miami-Dade County. The course is open to the public and the fee is $30.00 to cover the cost of books, handouts and administrative costs. Students who pass the final examination will be issued a certificate and card indicating they have completed the course. The course will be presented at three sites on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The scheduled locations are: the Elks Lodge, 6304 SW 78th Street, South Miami, Florida, Miami Beach Police Athletic League, 999 11th Street, Miami Beach, Florida and the Miami Yacht Club, 1001 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, Florida.
The Sunny Isles Beach and Aventura Police Departments will also be sponsoring the one-day Boating Safety course, "About Boating Safely," at the Aventura Police Department on Saturday, May 24, 2008, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. This course is open to the public; however, the fee of $30.00 is needed to cover the cost of the instruction materials and administrative services paid to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The course will be presented by Operations Officer Jim Shea and Public Education Officer Bruce Farkas, both are members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Aventura Police Department is located at 19200 West Country Club Drive, first floor, Aventura, Florida. To enroll in the course, contact Operations Officer Jim Shea at 305-333-4607. After successful completion of the course, a boating safety course certificate and card will be issued to all who pass.
For additional information about the activities during Boating Safety Week, please contact PA1 Jennifer Johnson, USCG D7 Public Affairs at 305-415-6685, Jennifer.L.Johnson2@uscg.mil, or Christopher Todd, Chairperson, USCG Auxiliary D76 National Safe Boating Week Campaign, at (305) 490-6030, ctodd@coastguardmiami.com.
Lets all enjoy safe boating.
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