NEW YORK – Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, in New Haven, Conn., hosted their annual Open House event to kick off National Safe Boating Week, Saturday.
In preparation for NSBW, which runs from May 17 to May 23, Sector Long Island Sound’s units partnered with federal, state, and local emergency response agencies inviting the public to see how the agencies can help them in an emergency situation. Some of the events included: water safety demonstrations on paddle sport safety, proper operation of flare signaling devices, and environmental and marine safety demonstrations with local marine species on hand.
It is important to note that the Coast Guard does not work alone in its efforts to rescue people in distress and protect the environment. Accordingly, boats and vehicles from local police and fire departments were also on site, including the Fairfield Police Department’s helicopter “Eagle 1”. Environmental organizations, such as the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and members from the Sector Long Island Sound’s marine safety division were on hand to discuss issues that affect Long Island Sound.
Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary provided boating safety and education, information on boating classes, vessel safety checks, life jackets, training for kids, and federal and state requirements for boaters and their watercraft.
For more information about safe boating visit the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Resource Center at http://www.uscgboating.org/.
Capt. Ed Cubanski, commander of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, shakes hands with Vincent Pica, District One Southern Region Auxiliary Commodore, at Sector Long Island Sound's open house hosted in New Haven, Conn., May 17, 2014. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary work together to educate the public about National Safe Boating Week and promote safe boating on the water. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Himes.
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class James Summers, a crewmember at Station New Haven, helps an open house attendee onto a small boat for a tour at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound's open house hosted in New Haven, Conn., May 17, 2014. Sector crews hosted the open house event for all ages, which included boat tours, safety demonstrations, important boating safety tips from the Coast Guard Auxiliary and interactive displays form partner emergency response agencies. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Himes.
Auxiliarist Emmanuel Salami hands a child a bag of material about the Coast Guard Academy during the multi-agency Sector Long Island Sound open house in New Haven, Conn., May 17, 2014. Sector Long Island Sound hosted the open house to show case how the Coast Guard works and other local response agencies work together to protect local ports and waterways. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Himes.
Coast Guard Auxiliarist Timothy Mucherin lights off a flare during a flare demonstration at Sector Long Island Sound's open house hosted in New Haven, Conn., May 17, 2014. Flares are essential visual signaling devices that can be used day or night to alert emergency responders and fellow boaters to an emergency situation. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Himes.