Coast Guard Working to Protect Labor Day Boaters

By Philip Jones
Reporter
Published: August 27, 2008

Now that state legislators have overriden Governor Mike Easley’s veto of House Bill 2167 and made it easier for you to tow your boat around, you may be planning on spending time on the water this holiday weekend.

But are you—and your boat—ready to enjoy the outdoors safely?

Nine On Your Side’s Philip Jones rode along with the Coast Guard Wednesday, and has more on how you can hit the water—and stay safe at the same time.

You might spot some blue lights along the Crystal Coast this weekend.

But instead of seeing them on the road, you’re likely to see them on the water.

As thousands of boaters prepare to descend on the east for Labor Day, the Coast Guard is stepping up its efforts to keep them all safe.

“Holiday weekends are very busy for us, especially here in North Carolina,” said Chief Petty Officer Jason Olsen. “There’s a lot of boating traffic. Our boats crews that stand duty are out here a lot, and we could easily do between 30 to 40 boardings in one weekend.”

Nine On Your Side spent the day with Coast Guard crews from Fort Macon as they prepared for the wave of boaters.

From now until Monday, they’ll be out boarding boats—making sure they’re all equipped with the proper safety and emergency gear.

“We’re not out there to harass them or give them a hard time,” CPO Olsen said. “We’re just out there to educate them to make sure they’re operating safely, having fun and checking all their safety gear.”

They’re also looking for reckless boaters—and those who may have had too much to drink.

Crews boarded Jimmy Jeffreys’ boat Wednesday morning—and he says he’s glad the Coast Guard is out working to make sure he and his dad have all the proper gear on board.

“It’s very important,” Jeffreys said. “You don’t ever know when you’re going to have a rogue wave hit you. It’s really easy to get capsized out here if you’re not careful.”

But the Coast Guard says it’s just as easy to be prepared—and they want to make sure that happens.

CPO Olsen says all boats out on the water must carry enough life jackets for everyone on board, as well as things like flares and fire extinguishers.

And just like out on the road, the legal blood alcohol limit on the water is 0.08.