The Captain's page features periodic articles, bulletins, and announcements from our Division 6 Captain, Rod Collins.

I. CAPTAIN'S COMMENTS

It's Boating Season and it is time to remind everyone to WEAR Your Lifejackets!

The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of more than 80 percent of boating fatality victims. According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, drowning remains second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 14. Furthermore, children are much more likely to practice safe habits when they experience similar behavior by parents and caregivers.

"We have done research that indicates children whose parents wear life jackets around water are more likely to wear one themselves," says Jen Medearis Costello, program manager at the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.

The Coast Guard and National SAFE KIDS Campaign strongly recommend adults always wear life jackets as well - not only to keep themselves safe, but to demonstrate safe behavior for their children

As a boat operator, you're in command of the safety of your passengers. But accidents can and do happen with terrifying speed on the water. There's rarely time to reach stowed life jackets. The U.S. Coast Guard challenges you and your passengers to wear your life jacket all the time while underway.

New Life Jackets Are Attractive and Easy To Wear Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it's tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket, especially on nice days. But modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunter coats. Others are inflatable - as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water, when they automatically fill with air. Be sure your life jackets they fit correctly and are US Coast Guard approved!

Have a great boating season and make this your safest season ever and wear or life jackets!!!

For more information regarding lifejackets and boating rules and regulations go to:

Wear It California - http://www.wearitcalifornia.com/
United States Coast Guard Resource Center for Boating Safety - http://www.uscgboating.org/
California Department of Boating and Waterways - http://www.dbw.ca.gov/

Respectfully submitted,

Rod Collins, DCP-6

II. DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS:

I encourage all Division 6 Auxiliary members to take advantage of the training opportunities offered throughout Division 6. It is most important that all Flotilla Commanders, Member Training Officers and Instructors submit notice of your flotilla-level training opportunities to the Division 6 SO-CS, so that these opportunities can be posted on the Member Training Calendar on the Division 6 Home Page.

Division Highlights will be posted in this space from time to time by our Division Captain, Rod Collins.

Respectfully submitted,

Rod Collins, DCP-6

The Division Communications Services Officer responsible for this site may be reached at the following e-mail address: cso@solopublications.com

Back To The Top