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Entry bubble Be Safe for Memorial Day Weekend

By: Nicole | May 23, 2008 | Category: General

When I was in college, my parents lived aboard a 41’ sailboat. I must confess that this arrangement made for fabulous spring break visits to the Florida Keys. I fondly remember the marina restaurants dotted along Boot Key Harbor, where my parents anchored their floating home. Still, the Keys can be a treacherous place to live. I can’t begin to describe the storms my parents weathered while there. Listening to their stories has given me a new appreciation for the importance of boat safety, which brings me to my topic.

For many people, Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of summer. Here in the Chesapeake Bay area, we are sure to see folks heading in droves to the water, which is one reason that National Safe Boating Week (May 17-23) always begins the Saturday before Memorial Day Weekend. In recognition of the week, the United States Coast Guard offers important boat safety tips, such as:

    Boat
  • Ensure life jackets are within reach and are worn at all times by children and weaker swimmers.
  • Complete a safe boating course.
  • Properly equip and inspect your vessel; get a free vessel safety inspection.
  • Maintain a prudent speed and respect others on the water.
  • Help fellow boaters in distress.
  • Avoid alcohol while boating.
  • File a float plan to tell others where you will be boating.

The National Library of Medicine offers some additional water safety tips. And the Federal Citizen Information Center offers more information and resources about water safety for swimmers, especially children.

I hope you have a wonderful and safe weekend. I’ll be soaking up the sun, with the appropriate precautions of course!

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: boat   boating   memorial   ocean   safety   sports   water   weekend  

Comments (3):

blue comment bubble Posted by Citizen Jmaximus on May 24, 2008 at 02:35 PM EDT

Where did they spend their winters, on a Lear Jet?

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blue comment bubble Posted by Bonita Springs Real Estate on May 25, 2008 at 10:18 AM EDT

I've usually skipped boating on holidays. Too many amateurs to be trouble free. I was so very careful this weekend and still had a fender bender. Boo!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Nicole on May 26, 2008 at 02:26 PM EDT

Hi Citizen J. Actually, my parents lived in the Keys year-round. I even went to visit them in August. And yes, it was hot.

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