USCG advises boaters to carry flares
07/02/2023
Boaters have been advised by US Coast Guards to carry flares as part of their marine safety equipment
A team spokesperson emphasised the importance of vital safety gear as they worked on maintaining federal aids to navigation – including buoys, day boards, lights, and fog signals – in Florida. Hurricane Ian damaged or destroyed nearly 90% of the channel markers off the coast, from parts of the Caloosahatchee River to the south end of Estero Island.
Chief Petty Officer Timothy Owen, who leads the Aids to Navigation team in St. Petersburg, told WINK News, “Channel markers essentially mark your roadway in the water. It keeps you from running aground like you would on a highway running into a ditch.”
Not only should boaters follow channel markers, but they should always have a boating plan, including carrying marine distress signals, he says.
“Let a responsible party know where you plan on going, when you are leaving, when you plan to be back. Have life jackets, flares, safety devices… that’s going to keep you safe.”
The image is a stock picture from Mayport, Florida, and is courtesy of USCG Atlantic Area.
