Most boaters, fishermen, and sailors are by now either on the water or making preparations to enjoy the enormous river/bay resources we are blessed to have in the Washington area. This year the theme of the National Safe Boating Campaign is “Ready, Set…Wear It!”

North Carolina ranks in the top 10 states for boater fatalities, with a significant number of boaters drowning each year who would be alive today had they worn their life jackets. Boater education has shown to make a significant difference in boating accidents and related injuries.

Published U.S. Coast Guard reports drowning as the reported cause of death in three-fourths of boating fatalities. Eighty-four percent of those drowned were not wearing life jackets. It is clear that hundreds of those might have been saved had they had worn a life jacket.

On May 20, the Pamlico Sail & Power Squadron will be at the Washington Waterfront docks providing information concerning safety requirements, state boating regulations and boating education. We will have several different types of personal floatation devices on display. In addition, our vessel safety inspectors are available for VSC inspections at the waterfront docks and the Cypress Landing Marina in Chocowinity. Boaters can also obtain a free vessel safety inspection at two local boat ramps: Mason’s Landing and Havens Gardens every Saturday and Sunday in May. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be available at other local boat ramps and the surrounding boating/camp grounds.