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Press Release | May 18, 2023

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Boston Coast Guard to kick off National Safe Boating Week

Media interested in attending the press briefing should RSVP to the Coast Guard First District Public Affairs Office at D1publicaffairs@uscg.mil.

WHO:

  • Capt. Kalie Benson, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston
  • Lt. Tara Carlow, Massachusetts Environmental Police
  • Detective Lt. Sean Barry, Massachusetts State Police
  • Sgt. Chris Baile, Boston Police Department

WHAT: Press briefing and event to signify the start of National Safe Boating Week. The event will feature the “Make Way For Ducklings” sculpture wearing Coast Guard life jackets.

WHEN: Saturday 20 May 2023, at 10:30 a.m. Media is requested to arrive by 10 a.m. if desired to view the duckling lifejacket dressing.

WHERE: Boston Public Gardens, the corner of Charles St. and Beacon St Boston, MA 02116

BOSTON— In conjunction with National Safe Boating Week, the Coast Guard aims to highlight the risks associated with boating as well as ways to improve safety on the water.

In calendar year 2022, there were 636 recreational boating fatalities nationwide. Alcohol consumption was a contributing factor for 88. Where the cause of death was known, 75 percent of fatal boating incident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 85 percent were not wearing a life jacket.

The total number of accidents was 4,040, and the number of non-fatal injuries was 2,222.