Media Advisory: USCG expresses safety concerns during Seattle’s Seafair festivities

SEATTLE – The U.S. Coast Guard wants all boaters to enjoy Seattle’s Seafair festivities this week, but is concerned that personal oversights in recreational boating safety measures may result in injuries or fatalities.

Capt. Scott J. Ferguson, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, is available to discuss recreational boating fatalities, the national increase in small- and paddle-craft fatalities, the causal factors of those fatalities and the steps recreational boaters can take to increase their safety while on the water.

“The number of people recreating on the water continues to increase annually, especially when it comes to small- and paddle-crafts,” said Ferguson. “Nationally, paddle-craft fatalities account for nearly 40 percent of all boating deaths and the majority of those deaths occurred when people were not wearing life jackets.”

“It’s never easy calling a family about a boating incident involving their loved one(s) when you know, in your gut, that boating safety measure could have prevented the incident,” added Ferguson.

The Coast Guard continues to work with other federal, state, county and local response agencies to assist boaters in distress, but there are preventative measures recreational boaters can take to increase their safety while on the water.

To interview Capt. Ferguson concerning recreational boating safety, contact Lt. Jon Lane, Sector Puget Sound Public Affairs Officer, at (206) 217-6254.

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