National Boat Safety Week kicks off before Memorial Day

Posted: Sat, 16 May 2015 05:18 PM - 36,501 Readers

A break from the rain on Saturday made for a busy day on the water at Lake Austin.

However the unofficial start of summer is next weekend -- Memorial Day weekend -- which means boat owners must ensure their boats are set up for safety.

In 2013, Texas Parks and Wildlife reported there were 206 boating accidents in Texas.

Hoping to reduce that number each year, the Coast Guard Auxiliary inspects boats for free at the Loop 360 Boat Ramp.

On Saturday, they checked for safety basics: lights and life jackets. They also looked for electrical problems.

Owners must ensure their boats are set up for safety. In 2013, Texas Parks and Wildlife reported there were 206 boating accidents in Texas.

"Especially with the first people that are taking their boats out for the first of the season, it's important for them to know what items they need. Life jackets, fire extinguishers. Just going through the check list of your requirements for that, so if they don't have it, we tell them what they need and make sure that they're safe when they come out," said B.H. Galvan, vice flotilla commander with the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

For boaters who missed Saturday's safety check --- the Coast Guard Auxillary will be back out at Lake Austin next weekend to offer free inspections.

The company can also make arrangements to visit boaters in order to inspect their boats also for free. Fill out the form here: Getmyvsc.txaux.us

* Story Contributed by: Amber Downing, KVUE

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