Miami Fire Rescue Crews Pass Out Safety Flyers For Memorial Day Boaters
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Boaters out enjoying the waters this Memorial Day weekend got a visit from Miami Fire Rescue Crews on Sunday.
The fire rescue units went around passing out flyers filled with safety tips.
Tip such as having life vests for everybody on board, being aware of their GPS coordinates and knowing how to radio for help.
Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Christopher Cope also had one major reminder for boaters, "The police will be out checking for DWI's and reminding them it's the same as on land, if you get caught drinking and driving they take you to the closest land and they give you a sobriety test."
CLICK HERE To Watch Maggie Newland's Report
The flyers come after rescuers responded to two accidents on the water on Saturday.
One accident involved two 18 year olds who were injured when their boat hit a light tower a few miles off Elliott Key. The other involved man and woman from Connecticut who were taken to the hospital after their personal watercraft collided with the Venetian Bridge.
Swimmers also said they're taking precautions this holiday weekend. On the beach at surfside several people described rough waters.
Sunday afternoon, Miami Fire Rescue crews had to take one swimmer to the hospital.
"We received a call for a man in distress near Hobie Beach near Rickenbacker Causeway. We understand while fire rescue was responding there were numerous people trying to assist him, including the police department. While we were in route they were able to bring him ashore as paramedics arrived. Even though he was breathing, he was still unconscious," said Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue also responded to an emergency of a woman who had fallen off a boat and landed on a sandbar. She was rushed to the hospital by helicopter.
