 COAST GUARD GROUP GRAND, HAVEN, Mich. - What better advice could be offered a boater than "Boat Smart From The Start" . It's certainly shared advice from those who know: The National Safe Boating Council, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boarding Law Administrators came up with the theme for National Safe Boating week- May 22-28, 1999. It is a theme that local Coast Guard officials at Group Grand Haven certainly intend to march to this season. Coast Guard personnel in eight Group search and rescue stations, extending from Leland Harbor to Michigan City, will be involved in an active vessel inspection campaign to help boaters "Boat Smart From The Start". Boaters can get a head start on the season by getting their hands on the "Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats" pamphlet. This excellent, user friendly, all you-need-to-know, hand-size brochure is your ticket to passing a Coast Guard inspection, but better, yet it's a sure ticket to a safe boating season. You can obtain one at your local Coast Guard Station or call the Coast Guard Boating Safety Infoline at 800 368-5647 (Alexander Virginia) to have one mailed. Another important safety campaign the Coast Guard will pursue is saving Channel 16, the SAFETY and DISTRESS frequency. The Coast Guard urges Lake Michigan boaters to use Channel 09 as their calling frequency. "Channel 16 is the boater's equivalent of 911. It should be reserved for emergencies," said Commander Roger Dubuc, Commander Coast Guard Group Grand Haven, Michigan. Boat Smart from the Start, follow the commanders advice. |
Boat Smart 
