Public Information Statement  Statement as of 10:00 am CDT on May 19, 2013

... This is safe boating week from may 18th to 24th...

Today's topic is vessel safety checks. This boating season... make
sure that you take advantage of the vessel safety check... or vsc...
program... which is a free, no risk service provided in your area by
the U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary and the U.S. Power squadrons. A
qualified vessel examiner will conduct an inspection of all the
required safety equipment carried or installed on a vessel and
certain aspects of the vessels overall condition. Even if you pay
careful attention to safety... dangerous mechanical problems can crop
up on the best maintained boat. That is why the U.S. Coast Guard
recommends that all recreational boats... including personal
watercraft... get a free vessel safety check each year.

For more information on hazardous weather and boating safety, visit
the following websites:

Http://www.NWS.NOAA.Gov/os/marine/safeboating
http://www.Safeboatingcampaign.Com
http://www.Safeboatingcouncil.Org