United States Coast Guard statistics consistently show that approximately 80% of the fatalities on water involve a person that has not taken a safe boating course.  “The ‘It won’t happen to me attitude’ is clearly wrong as evidenced by the facts,” commented Wally Dawson, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Commander.  “We appreciate the Town Council recognizing the importance of Safe Boating and issuing a Proclamation in support of National Safe Boating Week.”

“There are a lot of things that can go wrong on the water,” said Don Gallagher, Flotilla Education Officer.  “How to deal with, prepare for or avoid an emergency is so important and can save your life or one of your family’s.”

The State of Virginia also recognizes the importance of boaters taking a Safe Boating Course.  A recent Virginia law, similar to many other states, requires all boaters to have a Safe Boating Certificate.  Starting in July 2009, this requirement is being phased in based upon age.

Wally Dawson, Flotilla Commander receiving the Kilmarnock Town Council Proclamation from Mayor Curtis Smith.

Thus began the often heard pre-boarding warning heard all evening at Kilmarnock’s First Friday Walkabout.   Each month, the Lancaster by the Bay Chamber sponsors a Walkabout on the First Friday of the month from May through October in the Steptoes District of Kilmarnock, Virginia.  Vendors offer items for sale, businesses conduct open houses, contests are offered, children activities are available and a street is closed off for entertainment.

“With Safe Boating Week close by, we took this opportunity to include this event among our other National Safe Boating Week activities,” said Wally Dawson, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 Commander.  “Having a Coast Guard boat next to our booth really attracted a lot of attention.  While kids were investigating the boat, we were able to talk to parents about boating safety.”

A request was submitted to Senior Chief (BMCS) Matthew Welsh, Officer in Charge at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven for one of the station’s boats to be available for the event.  Welsh quickly committed, barring any emergency.  “At a recent meeting I had with all Auxiliary Flotilla Commanders located within the stations Area of Responsibility (AOR), I mentioned that I wanted to provide more support to the Auxiliary by participating in public events with them,” commented Welsh.  “Flotilla 33 immediately took me up on the offer.”

“This was a very successful event,” said Jerry Hawley, Flotilla Public Affairs Officer.  “Not only did we distribute our safe boating material, we had people sign up for our ABC safe boating class and even looks like we may have a new member.”

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers boaters an on-site Free Vessel Safety Check each year. Vessel Safety Checks are conducted by qualified Auxiliary vessel examiners who educate boaters on safety equipment and check to see that recreational vessels meet the most recent legal requirements before leaving the dock.  This preventive outreach program encourages voluntary compliance: vessel examiners do not (and cannot) issue citations or “turn in” vessels not meeting all the requirements to a regulatory agency like the State Marine Police or active-duty US Coast Guard. Instead, the examiner’s single goal is prevention: ensuring vessel owners are safe and smart when they get underway, outfitted with all their required safety gear.