USCG Auxiliary Promotes Safe Fun in the Sun

With summer just around the corner, it seems like everyone’s getting out on the water to enjoy the warm, sunny days. And because boating safety is so important to summertime fun, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Destin urges everyone to participate in National Boating Safety Week, May 19 — 25.

As part of the week’s activities, the Auxiliary will be stationed at a different location every day with their Mobile Education Trailer. Auxiliary volunteers will offer guidance in life jacket use (wearing a life jacket is the most effective boating safety strategy), free boating safety information, free vessel safety checks, and more.

The vessel safety checks, which can be conducted whether the vessel is on a trailer or in the water, ensure that a boat has all the safety equipment required by law. Vessels that pass receive a decal to display on board. They may also be eligible for a discount on insurance. The owners of boats that don’t pass will be given a list of things that need to be corrected.

USCG Destin Station

Following are the trailer locations, plus information about the Auxiliary’s Boating Safety Class and other National Boating Safety Week activities:

• Saturday, May 19: Boating Safety Class, Fort Walton Yacht Club, 8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m., $35; Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Bass Pro Destin, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., free.
• Sunday, May 20: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, HarborWalk Village Destin, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., free.
• Monday, May 21: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Joe’s Bayou Boat Ramp Destin, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., free.
• Tuesday, May 22: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., free.
• Wednesday, May 23: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Fort Walton Yacht Club, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., free; Night Flare Demonstration, Fort Walton Yacht Club, 6:30 — 8:30 p.m., free.
• Thursday, May 24: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Ben’s Lake Marina, Eglin AFB, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., free; Red, White, and Blue Hero Celebration, HarborWalk Village Destin, 6 — 9 p.m., free.
• Friday, May 25: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, North Light Yacht Club and Marina, Niceville, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., free.
• Saturday, May 26: USCG Station Destin Open House, 1 — 4 p.m., free. Guests will meet the local active-duty USCG personnel (Guardians), see where they live and work, and view and board some of their boats. A highlight of the Open House will be tours of the 24-foot and 25-foot response boats and 41-foot patrol boats. Auxiliary members will also be on hand to answer questions, demonstrate life jacket use, distribute educational material, and offer hands-on demonstrations.

For more information and to sign up for the Boating Safety Class, contact John Ryan at [email protected] or 623-980-8782.