USCG begins campaign to lower boating deaths
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Statistics compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard show that one-third of all recreational boating fatalities occur while people are fishing or hunting, the Harrisburg Patriot-News reported in an online story this morning.
The Coast Guard says that the most common type of boats involved in the accidents are open motorboats, 21 feet and less in length, according to the newspaper.
To get the message, “You’re in Command. Boat Responsibly,” to those two critical groups of boaters, the Coast Guard has teamed with Bill Dance, long-time television fishing personality and star of the Outdoor Life Network’s Bill Dance Outdoors for a series of public service ads. Dance is featured on public service announcements that highlight boating safety, which began airing last weekend, the newspaper reported.
“I’ve been fishing on TV for quite awhile now, and if my advice can help save someone’s life, then I think it’s my duty to do that,” Dance told the newspaper.
Coast Guard statistics also show that 90 percent of all the boating victims who drowned were not wearing life jackets and that historically alcohol is involved in one-third of all fatalities, the Patriot-News reported.
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