Coast Guard's 4 things to know before boating season begins on Saturday

SEATTLE -- March 31st this year, we hit 71° and there seemed to be "no looking back."

This April, Sea-Tac not only hit the all-time warmest high temperature record, it ended up as the warmest month of April on record for all of western Washington!

With the month of May breaking record high temperatures in the first few days, it’s time to review water safety and make sure you have the Mandatory Boater Education Card for Washington State.

An efficient way to get the Boating safety checklist and questions answered is an app offered by the Coast Guard -- or in the  App Store, search Coast Guard On the App you can also report hazards or request emergency assistance

The app reviews a free Safety check among a number of choices, there are: going over high importance items like checking your boat battery and wiring after a period of storage. You can also file your float plan from the app and automatically have it sent to your 3 important contacts.

The Coast Guard gave 4 Top Priority items to consider before every trip near or on water:

1. Know your gear & Vessel
2. Dress for the Marine forecast and being on/in the water which is less than 60° in most of WA & OR
3. Have your Coast Guard approved, fitted, life-jacket. Make sure it is appropriate for the activity- jetski, paddleboard, or fishing. Kids need a life jacket that isn’t too big or could slip off. Need a loaner? Visit www.boat.wa.gov/life-jackets.asp for a list of loaner sites.
4. File a Float Plan, you can do it on the Coast Guard app or visit: www.boatprepared.org

Do you Paddle Board? Boogie Board? Kayak? There is a “must get” decal that is part of USCG national effort to identify owners of this kind of equipment when it is found without its owner.

An immediate search effort is begun that could be avoided when your contact information is on the decal, your equipment is returned more quickly and that way it saves the resources during actual emergency situation.

Wear your lifejacket to work day!!!
May 20 www.wearitwashington.org

And May 21 World Record Day

Share Photos wearit@parks.wa.gov
National Safe Boating Week May 21-27