TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Katerri Johnson, City Clerk's Office
THROUGH: Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: May 7, 2019
Title
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK PROCLAMATION
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Approval of a proclamation for National Safe Boating Week.
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Background:
Boating Education saves lives.
§ Boat Responsibly - statistics show the leading contributing factors in boating accidents are operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and alcohol.
Safe Boats save lives.
§ Vessels that are properly outfitted and in good working order are less likely to be involved in fatal accidents than other vessels.
§ Vessel safety checks do two things: they provide a penalty-free way for boaters to enhance vessel safety, and they provide a ready means for examiners to teach boaters some basic safety lessons in a relaxed, non-confrontational atmosphere before heading out onto the water.
Sober Boating saves lives.
§ That goes for both operators and passengers.
§ Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in FATAL BOATING ACCIDENTS.
§ Studies indicate that only a third of the alcohol needed to make a person impaired on the road can make a person equally impaired on the water.
Safe Boaters enable the Coast Guard to spend time keeping our homeland secure, not searching for a missing boater.
§ Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks odd or out of the ordinary. Report all activities that seem suspicious to the local authorities, the CG and the port or marina security. Do not approach or challenge those acting in a suspicious manner.
§ The safety and security zones around certain vessels and shore installations exist for a reason. Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially those that involve military, cruise-line, petroleum or hazardous material facilities.
§ Keep a safe distance from all military, cruise-line, or commercial shipping! Do not approach within 100 yards, and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel.
§ Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel. If you do, then expect to be boarded by law enforcement officials.