By Captain Scott J. Ferguson

Commander U. S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, NY

View the Captain's Water Safety video here: http://i36.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Gunjackalex/uscgvideofile.flv

The States of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio have been blessed with a vibrant fresh water environment that provides many leisure opportunities for its people. For generations, recreational boating has been a favorite way to relax with family and friends and enjoy our Great Lakes and inland waters.  Safe boating practices are extremely important to all citizens of the Eastern Great Lakes, as the lives of both boaters and non-boaters can be affected by accidents in the Lakes. Each year, lives and property are needlessly lost in boating accidents, many of which result from a lack of basic knowledge of boating and water safety.

Numerous government agencies, private groups, and community organizations promote safe boating practices to educate vessel operators about boating and water safety principles by offering safe boating courses, conducting search and rescue missions, examining boats for safety equipment and participating in other activities to keep the Eastern Great Lakes safe. The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, NYS State Department of Conservation, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and, local Power Squadrons offer valuable services to this end.

Each year, National Safe Boating Week is observed across the United States and Canada in order to save lives by spreading a message of boating safety and encouraging boater education. Remember, the life you save could be your own.  Important safe boating practices include:

• Knowing how to properly wear a life jacket; and wearing it when on or around the water,
• Carrying proper safety equipment on board a vessel, including a VHF radio or Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons;
• Taking boating safety classes through the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U. S. Power Squadrons;
• Having a Vessel Safety Check,
• Not drinking alcohol while operating your boat,
• Maintaining good situational awareness when on the water,
• Telling a trusted friend or family member where you will be boating and when you will be returning.

 THEREFORE, I, Scott J Ferguson, Captain, U. S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, NY, do hereby proclaim May 17 through 23, 2008, as

 SAFE BOATING WEEK

 in The Eastern Great Lakes, and strongly urge all citizens to employ safe boating practices in our waters.  I also encourage you to participate in our 2008 Eastern Great Lakes Water Safety Expo on May 17^th at your local Coast Guard unit.

DONE at U. S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, State of New York, this seventeenth day of  March  2008.

Scott J. Ferguson

Captain, U. S. Coast Guard