PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
700 AM EDT SUN MAY 20 2001

...FILING A FLOAT PLAN...

RECREATIONAL BOATERS: MAXIMIZE THE CHANCES THAT THE COAST GUARD
WILL FIND YOU QUICKLY IN THE EVENT OF A BOATING EMERGENCY. PREPARE A
FLOAT PLAN BEFFORE EMBARKING ON A BOATING TRIP, AND LEAVE IT ASHORE
WITH A YACHT CLUB, MARINA, FRIEND, OR RELATIVE.  YOUR FLOAT PLAN
SHOULD INCLUDE:

-WHERE YOU PLAN TO LEAVE FROM
-WHEN YOU PLAN TO GET UNDERWAY
-WHERE YOU INTEND TO GO
- AND WHEN YOU INTEND TO RETURN.

INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF YOUR VESSEL, LISTING WHAT TYPE OF SAFETY AND
COMMUNICATION GEAR THAT YOUR VESSEL CARRIES. BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE
NUMBER OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN THAT WILL BE ONBOARD THE VESSEL
DURING THE TRIP.

CHECK IN REGULARLY WITH WHOMEVER YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR FLOAT PLAN,
AND ADVISE HIM OR HER OF ANY CHANGES YOU HAVE MADE TO YOUR TRIP. IF
YOUR VESSEL ENCOUNTERS TROUBLE, THE COAST GUARD WILL RELY HEAVILY
ON THE ACCURACY AND DETAIL OF INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE
HOLDER OF YOUR FLOAT PLAN IN ORDER TO FIND YOU. HELP TAKE THE
"SEARCH" OUT OF "SEARCH AND RESCUE".

EXPERIENCED MARINERS DO NOT LEAVE SAFETY TO CHANCE. FOR A FREE
COAST GUARD BOATING SAFETY COURSE, CALL 1-800-336-BOAT; THAT IS 1-800-
336-2628.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC AND THE UNITED
STATES COAST GUARD WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE STATEMENTS TO PROMOTE
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK FROM MAY 19 TO MAY 25...2001. A STATEMENT
ABOUT WATERSPOUTS WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 7 AM EDT MONDAY.

...BOAT SMART; BOAT SAFE; TAKE CONTROL...

$$