PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
700 AM EDT THU MAY 24 2001

...BOATER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS...

RECREATIONAL BOATERS: INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL IN THE
EVENT OF A BOATING EMERGENCY. ENSURE THAT YOUR VESSEL IS REGULARLY
MAINTAINED AND FULLY FUELED PRIOR TO EMBARKING ON A BOATING TRIP. 
MOST BOATING INCIDENTS CAN BE AVOIDED BY TAKING REASONABLE SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS BEFORE GETTING UNDERWAY.

NEVERTHELESS, PLAN FOR THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, SPECIFICALLY,
WHAT YOU WOULD DO IN CASE ONE OCCURRED. MAKE SURE YOUR BOAT
CARRIES FEDERALLY AND STATE REQUIRED SAFETY GEAR SUCH AS A FIRE
EXTINGUISHER, PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (OR LIFE-JACKETS), AND
FLARES. IN ADDITION TO THESE ITEMS, THE COAST GUARD RECOMMENDS THAT
YOU CARRY ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO SURVIVE
A BOATING ACCIDENT, SUCH AS A SIGNAL MIRROR - BATTERY OPERATED
STROBE LIGHT, CHEMICAL LIGHTS, WATERPROOF VHF RADIO WITH DISTRESS
CHANNEL 16 (WHICH IS PREFERRED OVER A CELLULAR PHONE), AND A 406
MEGAHERTZ EPIRB.

WHEN PLANNING FOR THE WORST, USE YOUR IMAGINATION. REMEMBER,
ALWAYS FILE A FLOAT PLAN WITH A YACHT CLUB, MARINA, RELATIVE OR
FRIEND BEFORE GETTING UNDERWAY.

EXPERIENCED MARINERS DO NOT LEAVE SAFETY TO CHANCE. FOR A FREE
COAST GUARD BOATING SAFETY COURSE, CALL 1-800-336-BOAT; THAT'S
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 MARINE WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 7 AM
EDT FRIDAY.

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

$$