National Safe Boating week begins Saturday, and the Eaton’s Neck Coast Guard will be celebrating with an open house at the United States Coast Guard Station from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
NSBW is an annual celebration that takes place nine days before Memorial Day. It is the traditional beginning of boating season, when the highest increase in boating traffic occurs nationwide.
The Coast Guard’s open house will provide various programs including knot tying, radio protocol and demonstrations of paddlecrafts and emergency boating equipment. Tours of The Coast Guard Station’s vessels, lighthouse, communication room and new boathouse will also be offered.
In addition, boat owners can receive complimentary boat exams conducted by The Coast Guard Auxiliary. These exams are no-penalty and will help boat owners to have a better understanding of the state and federal safety requirements. They will also give owners a better understanding of recommended safety equipment.
Coast Guard recreational boating statistics reported that there were 4,604 boating accidents, 3,153 injuries, and 672 deaths in 2010. Eighty-four percent of these accidents involved boat operators who had never taken a boating safety class and 88 percent were not wearing a life jacket.
Through these events, the Coast Guard hopes to educate boaters of the rules and precautions that need to be followed during this season. The Coast Guard reminds boaters to always wear a life jacket and take boating safety classes.
At around noon, a Coastguard helicopter will fly over the site.
For additional information on events or available boating classes, contact Terry Kinch, Vice Commander, Division 22, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, at 631- 271-2503 or email him at eatonsneckopenhouse@hotmail.com.
