U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 20 July 2008

Contact: Wayne Spivak
Public Affairs Officer 
516-353-9155
wspivak@sbanetweb.com
http://www.new.auxpa.org/

Merrick, New York - On Saturday, July 20, 2008 a jet ski was found circling Merrick Bay, rider less. A life jacket was washed up on a beach nearby. No identification was found on the vessel, and there was no copy of a Float Plan.

Authorities were able to determine who the original owner was from the jet ski registration and Hull Identification Number (HIN) however the jet ski had been resold. So far authorities have not been able to new owner or verify that the new owner is missing. It is also unclear as to whether the presumed operator of the jet ski took the required safe boating course mandated by New York State Law.

What went wrong and what can you do, as a boater or jet skier (even a kayaker) do to either prevent or ameliorate the a similar situation?

1. All boaters, regardless of the type of craft they operate (power, sail, jet ski, kayak, rowboat, paddleboat, etc.) should take at a minimum a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved safe boating course. Most states where licensing is in effect will accept these courses as meeting their requirements.

2. When using a jet ski or kayak (and similar type vessels) always have a buddy.

3. When sailing or using a power boat, you should also always boat with a buddy.

4. File a Float Plan. Float Plans are filed with friends, family, your marina and in some communities the Bay Constables or other law enforcement (most communities and the Coast Guard will not hold on to them). A Float Plan contains important information about the vessel, its capabilities, the crew and the proposed itinerary of destinations. The concept is that friends, family or the marina will contact the Coast Guard or Local Law Enforcement when a vessel is overdue, based on the Float Plan. The Coast Guard and local law enforcement will then use the Float Plan as the focus of their search and rescue operation (SAR).

5. Always carry identification for yourself and your vessel. In our example, for whatever reason, the New York State records were not up to date or the operator is not the owner. In an emergency, anything that saves time is a positive attribute.

6. In the event that you abandon or lose your vessel (such as a jet ski floating away) and you are able to get to shore, call the Coast Guard or local Law Enforcement and tell them about it. It can ultimately save lives and property and in these times limited budgets of rescue agencies.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law enforcement actions. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral part of the United States Coast Guard. For more information visit www.cgaux.org  if you are ready to be join visit http://join.cgaux.org/ .

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