Enjoy a summer on the water with friends and family by following these tips to keep people and our waterways safe.
1. Report signs of trouble. Waterways are essential for leisure, travel and the economy. It’s important to know when something’s wrong so that the Coast Guard can step in to help. Oil slicks, diesel and other toxic spills are all obvious signs of trouble. Persistent water pollution can slowly endanger wildlife.
2. Help keep our waters clean. If you have a boat, you have a responsibility to ensure that no oil and other hazardous products, including sewage, spill into the waters. Avoid any spills, no matter how small, because they affect the environment. Properly remove and dispose of an old boat you no longer need. This could include taking the boat to a boat retailer, a recycle depot or a landfill, depending on what is available where you live. Help protect the environment by reporting any signs of marine pollution or abandoned boats and wrecks.
3. Take weather precautions. If heading out on the water, check weather reports to make sure you’re not taken by surprise by changing weather conditions.
4. Keep emergency numbers on hand. Make sure to have a marine radio on board set to channel 16. In case of an emergency, dial *16 on your mobile device, which will connect you with the closest Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services centre in both the US and Canada. Find your local Canadian Coast Guard phone number at www.ccggcc. gc.ca/emergency-numbers-hub. For the US, visit https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/
Enjoy spending time by the water with loved ones this summer by following these tips:
• Take an accredited boating safety course. Keep your pleasure craft operator certificate with you at all times.
• Inspect your boat and all your equipment before departure.
• Always wear your lifejacket or personal flotation device while on board. It is important to put it on before boarding the vessel.
• Study and carry your marine charts.
• Leave a trip/rescue plan with a responsible person.
• Do not drink and drive and do not cruise with alcohol onboard your boat.
• Never boat under the influence. It’s dangerous — and against the law — to operate a boat while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
