News briefs on safety recalls, new safe boating standards in Canada and the 68th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Check for Safety Recalls Concerning Your Boat
The U.S. Coast Guard has a safety program that requires boat manufacturers to immediately begin a recall if a safety defect is identified for one of their vessels. Between sales of used boats and movement of boat owners to other regions, boat builders do not know where all their vessel owners are located. The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety keeps a recall website with a complete database of manufacturer's safety recalls. Searches can be made by hull identification number, type of defect, manufacturer name, make or model year.
Safer Boating Standards Set by Canada's New Government
Canada's Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities announced changes to the regulations concerning operators of pleasure craft on 27 June 2007. Changes were made to set higher standards for administering and accountability for the nationally required boat operator safety test. Candidates that successfully complete the test are issued a Pleasure Craft Operator card. The government of Canada sets certification standards, but tests are given by private organizations.
"Canada's New Government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians and these amendments will improve the quality of the boating safety test," said Minister Cannon. "Education is key to preventing injury and death related to pleasure craft operations."
U.S. Coast Guard Celebrates 68th Anniversary
On 23 June 2007, the Coast Guard Auxiliary celebrates its 68th year of service to the people of the United States. The Auxiliary is uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast created by an act of Congress in 1939 that is focused on boating safety education. Auxiliarists now support all Coast Guard mission that are not related to military and law enforcement actions.
Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Admiral Thad Allen states, "The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary provides an invaluable service to our Nation. We rely on their generosity and patriotism to help keep Americans safe and secure all around the country. The Auxiliary is an integral part of the Coast Guard and they assist with virtually every Coast Guard mission. We couldn't do what we do without them."
