Coast Guard Urges Safety First When Boating This Holiday Weekend
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The captain of the port of Philadelphia reminds boaters to put safety first this holiday weekend.
US Coast Guard Captain Meredith Austin reminds boaters that everyone on board a recreational boat must wear a life jacket, "One thing to note is that if you are pulled over by law enforcement or the coast guard they will send you directly back to the pier because that is one thing you absolutely must have."
Captain Austin reminds everyone never to drink and boat, "There are criminal penalties should you be pulled over by law enforcement on the water and caught boating while intoxicated."
And she says don't drive distracted, " I think one of the emerging things we see a lot is distracted boating, I mean just like people in cars a lot of states have laws against texting and driving its a similar thing with boating if you are not watching a head there is a good chance that something may come up very quickly for you and you may not realize it."
Reported by John McDevitt, KYW Newsradio 1060
