WHO: Coast Guard personnel
WHAT: Invite media to discuss boating safety and tour the Incident Command Post for Harborfest events.
WHEN: Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Hospital Point, Portsmouth, VA 23704
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard, Portsmouth's Maritime Incident Response Team and local fire and police department personnel are scheduled to provide safety zone enforcement for the scheduled Harborfest events Friday, Saturday and Sunday, focusing their efforts on boating safety on the Elizabeth River.
Harborfest events celebrate the importance of the maritime community and continue the tradition of partnerships between federal, state and local authorities in Hampton Roads.
Not wearing a life jacket, alcohol use and reduced visibility are leading contributing factors in fatal boating accidents. The Coast Guard asks all boaters to enjoy Harborfest safely by keeping vessel speed low, having a designated sober operator, obeying safety zones and taking extra caution while operating in congested areas during the events.
Media interested in conducting interviews and viewing a search and rescue demonstration while underway must contact Lt. Meredith Phillips or Lt. Scott Williams at 757-297-0363 by 9 a.m. Saturday.