Coast Guard urges boaters to be careful
Advertiser Staff
The Coast Guard is reminding Hawai'i boaters to be safe over the three-day Labor Day weekend.
Driving a boat while intoxicated is illegal, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard and the state enforce boating under the influence laws and violators could face jail time, fines or lose their operator privileges.
"If we could communicate three short messages, they would be: wear your life jacket; give a safety briefing to those boating with you; and be totally aware at all times of conditions around you," said Kent Richards, the 14th Coast Guard District's recreational boating specialist.
Boaters are encouraged to file a "float plan" that lets someone on land know where they are going, what time they are expected to return and what kind of vessel they are using.
The Coast Guard offered these reminders:
For additional boating safety tips, boaters can access the Coast Guard's boating safety Web site at: www.cgaux.org or www.uscgboating.org.
