Coast Guard Auxiliary honored for boating and water safety

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has been selected to receive the National Water Safety Congress' National Award for its role in promoting boating and water safety, the Auxiliary said in a statement Wednesday.

Only one such award is presented annually to an individual, organization, firm or agency that has made a significant contribution to water safety issues/programs on a national scale. This is the highest award given by the National Water Safety Congress.

“It's quite an accomplishment for the Auxiliary to receive this prestigious recognition, and I'm glad to see it happen,” said Jeffrey Hoedt, chief-office of boating safety for the Coast Guard. “Without a doubt, the Auxiliary does incredible work in making America's boating public safer.”

“The Coast Guard Auxiliary appreciates the recognition of our past and continuing efforts to keep both the recreational and commercial boater safe on the water,” said Gene Seibert, national commodore.

Warren McAdams, national directorate commodore for recreational boating safety, will be accepting this award on the national commodore's behalf at the upcoming International Boating and Water Safety Summit.

“We provide support to the U.S. Coast Guard, and recreational boating safety is one of our primary missions,” McAdams said. “Our members will take great pride in the recognition and honor bestowed on them by the National Water Safety Congress.”

The award will be presented during IBWSS awards banquet, held May 3 at the Westin Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla.

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