Safety-At-Sea Seminar on the Severn April 6

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the U.S. Naval Academy Sailing Squadron will sponsor its annual Safety-at-Sea Seminar in the Severn River adjacent to the U. S. Naval Academy, between the Naval Academy (SR-450) Bridge and Triton Light (LLN-19780), on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. The event includes on-water activities involving small boats and other vessels, a lowflying helicopter and pyrotechnics demonstrations.
     Coast Guard special local regulations establish a regulated area for all waters of the Severn River (from shoreline to shoreline), bounded to the northwest by a line drawn from the south shoreline at
39°00'38.9" N, 076°31'05.2" W, thence to the north shoreline at 39°00'54.7" N, 076°30'44.8" W, this line is approximately 1300 yards northwest of the Severn River (US-50) Bridge. The regulated area is bounded to the southeast by a line drawn from the Naval Academy Light at 38°58'39.5" N, 076°28'49" W, thence southeast to a point 700 yards east of Chinks Point, at 38°58'1.9" N, 076°28'1.7" W, thence northeast to Greenbury Point at 38°58'29" N, 076°27'16" W. The regulated area will be enforced from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 6, 2013. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain waters of the Severn River.
     The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 or 22A. When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both. Mariners are urged to schedule their transits on this waterway beyond the enforcement times.
     For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts 12282, 12283.

Enjoy Your Holiday, Play It Safe

     Baltimore, Md. -- The Fourth of July is one of the busiest holiday weekends and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers encourages boaters to have fun, stay safe, and make it home alive.

     The Army Corps hosts 370 million visits annually at its more than 400 lake and river projects where people enjoy fishing, boating, hiking and more. While outdoor recreation is fun and healthy, the Corps urges visitors to expect the unexpected and think about these four safety tips this Fourth of July.

Wear a life jacket.
• Statistics show that 90 percent of those who drown at USACE lakes and rivers may have survived if they had worn a life jacket.
• Drowning is the nation’s second leading cause of accidental death.

• Expect the unexpected. Accidents happen, even to responsible boaters. A life jacket can provide time for rescue.

Know your swimming ability.
• Swimming in open water is more difficult than in a swimming pool because a swimmer can tire more quickly and get into trouble.

• Conditions can change quickly in open water.

• Swim in designated areas and wear a life jacket. A life jacket will help conserve energy and provide flotation.

Be a “Water Watcher.”
• When on or near the water watch your children.

• A child can drown in 20 seconds.

• Drowning happens quickly and quietly. A drowning victim’s head will be back, they will be gasping for air, they will not be yelling, and their arms will be slapping the water as though trying to climb out of the water.

Avoid exhaust fumes around boats.
• Carbon monoxide, an invisible killer, can accumulate anywhere in or around boats regardless of what type of boat. Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors on and inside your boat. Maintain a fresh circulation of air through and around your boat at all times.
• Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include eye irritation, headache, nausea, weakness and dizziness. Know the signs and stay alive.

• Avoid areas around boats where exhaust fumes may be present. Do not let friends swim under or around the boarding platform where fumes can accumulate.

Maryland DNR Reminds Boaters and Swimmers of Safe Practices for Independence Day

     Annapolis, Md. -- With the Fourth of July nearing, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Natural Resources Police (NRP) are urging citizens and visitors to be extra vigilant in and on the water for the holiday and throughout the summer.

    “We want everyone to be able to enjoy the wonderful recreational opportunities our State has to offer, on water and land, to the fullest,” said Superintendent Colonel George F. Johnson IV. “But the importance of safety while boating and swimming cannot be overstated and must be a number one priority while enjoying Maryland waterways and State Parks.”

     Last year, Maryland experienced an unusually high number of boating deaths. Over the summer, NRP will focus their enforcement efforts on those activities that contribute to boating accidents, such as alcohol, negligent operation, bow riding and navigational violations.

     NRP recommends that swimmers stay within designated swimming areas with lifeguards on duty whenever possible. Lifeguards keep all swimmers informed of any changes in water conditions and are trained to respond if an emergency occurs.

     NRP also offers the following swimming safety tips:
When swimming outside guarded areas, obey all warning signs that alert swimmers to dangers and be aware of any surrounding signs or markers that indicate current water conditions.
Never swim alone or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Pay special attention to small children and use safety devices such as life jackets on children or other individuals who cannot swim.
Carry a cell phone or have other ways of contacting emergency personnel if a situation arises.

      If an emergency occurs, immediately call 911 and remember to Reach, Throw, Row and Go:

REACH the person in trouble by extending a releasable item, such as a pole, line or rope to pull them to safety ─ but not by hand, as the rescuer could quickly become another victim.
THROW an object that floats to the victim if they are unreachable. Life rings, PFDs, coolers or plastic jugs are suitable floating objects that can keep a troubled swimmer afloat until rescuers arrive.
ROW to the victim using a canoe or any other safe watercraft. The rescuer must wear a life jacket. Once the victim is nearby, a rope or paddle should be extended and used to tow the victim to shore if possible.
GO to the victim by entering the water as a last resort and ONLY if properly trained. The rescuer should bring an object to keep the victim afloat and to prevent being pulled under.

     More information on boating safety is available at dnr.maryland.gov/boating/safety.

Maryland DNR Reminds Citizens To Practice Water Safety

     Annapolis, Md. -- With Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer right around the corner, many people will be heading outdoors to enjoy our state’s waterways and beaches. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cautions that these areas will not be staffed with lifeguards until the Memorial Day weekend and urges everyone to be extra vigilant in and around the water.

     “We want everyone to be able to enjoy the wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities our state has to offer, but safety is always our first priority,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “We are asking everyone to research their activities before heading outdoors and exercise caution and good judgment when swimming, especially as State Park beaches are not yet guarded.”

     The Maryland Natural Resources Police offer the following swimming safety tips:
Pay special attention to small children and use safety devices such as life jackets on children or other individuals who cannot swim.
Obey all warning signs that alert swimmers to dangers and be aware of any surrounding signs or markers that indicate current water conditions.
Never swim alone or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Carry a cell phone or have other ways of contacting emergency personnel if a situation arises.

     If an emergency occurs, immediately call 911 and remember to Reach, Throw, Row and Go:

REACH the person in trouble by extending a releasable item, such as a pole, line or rope to pull them to safety, but not by hand as the rescuer could quickly become another victim.

THROW an object that floats to the victim if they are unreachable. A life ring, PFD, cooler or plastic jug is suitable floating objects that can keep a troubled swimmer afloat until rescues arrive.

ROW to the victim, using a canoe or any other safe watercraft. The rescuer must wear a life jacket. Once the victim is nearby, a rope or paddle should be extended and used to tow the victim to shore if possible.

GO to the victim by entering the water as a last resort and ONLY if properly trained. The rescuer should bring an object to keep the victim afloat and to prevent being pulled under.

Safety At Sea Seminar Saturday, March 31, on the Severn

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the U.S. Naval Academy Sailing Squadron will sponsor the Safety At Sea Seminar (33rd Annual) in the Severn River adjacent to the U. S. Naval Academy, between the Naval Academy (SR-450) Bridge and Triton Light (LLN-19780), on Saturday, March 31, at 11:30 a.m.

      The event includes on-water activities involving small boats, a low-flying helicopter and pyrotechnics demonstrations. Coast Guard special local regulations establish a regulated area for all waters of the Severn River (from shoreline to shoreline), bounded to the northwest by a line drawn from the south shoreline at 39°00'38.9" N, 076°31'05.2" W, thence to the north shoreline at 39°00'54.7" N, 076°30'44.8" W, this line is approximately 1300 yards northwest of the Severn River (US-50) Bridge. The regulated area is bounded to the southeast by a line drawn from the Naval Academy Light at 38°58'39.5" N, 076°28'49" W, thence southeast to a point 700 yards east of Chinks Point, at 38°58'1.9" N, 076°28'1.7" W, thence northeast to Greenbury Point at 38°58'29" N, 076°27'16" W.

     The regulated area will be enforced from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 31. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain waters of the Severn River. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 or 22A. When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both. Mariners are urged to schedule their transits on this waterway beyond the enforcement times. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts 12282, 12283.