Dick Mallon, of Division 5, performs a vessel safety check at East Fork Lake, Tate boat ramp on May 7, 2016.
Boating safety advocates across the U.S. and Canada have teamed up to promote safe and responsible boating, including consistent life jacket wear every time boaters are on the water, during National Safe Boating Week, held from May 21-27, 2016.

Your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division 5, would like to remind everyone to wear your life jacket!

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a volunteer, uniformed branch of the Coast Guard, created by congress in 1939, which operates in safety and security patrols, search and rescue, public education, courtesy vessel safety checks and much more! Division 5, which covers the greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, is celebrating their 75th Anniversary in 2016.

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2014, and that 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. “You never know when there may be a boating mishap, so it’s important that everyone onboard always wears a life jacket” says John Johnson, chief executive officer of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

New life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. There are innovative options, such as inflatable life jackets, allowing mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, paddling or hunting, and are much cooler in the warmer weather.

In addition to life jacket wear, it is important your vessel is equipped with the correct required safety equipment. Saturday, May 28th at Schmidt Field from 9 am – 3 pm bring your boat and receive a FREE Vessel Safety check, to assure that your boat meets minimum safety standards and that in an emergency, you will have the necessary equipment to save lives and summon help. For more information visit our website, www.cgaux.org, or email cgaux.div5@gmail.com.