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Press Release | May 21, 2025

MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard to discuss boating safety, offer boat rides for Memorial Day weekend

PADET Jacksonville - Office: 904-714-7606 / After Hours: 786-393-4138

Editor's Note: Media interested in attending are requested to RSVP with Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 786-393-4138 or PADETJacksonville@uscg.mil by 5 p.m. Thursday.

WHO: Coast Guard Station Mayport, Coast Guard Auxiliary 

WHAT: Providing interviews, offering boat rides and conducting rescue demonstrations for media members 

WHEN: Friday, May 23, from 9 – 11 a.m.

WHERE: Coast Guard Station Mayport, 4200 Ocean St., Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Coast Guard is scheduled to provide boating safety tips and offer boat rides, Friday, during National Safe Boating Week and ahead of Memorial Day weekend at Coast Guard Station Mayport. 

Station Mayport search and rescue personnel and Coast Guard Auxiliary members will be available for interviews to inform the public of safe boating practices as weather conditions improve and Memorial Day weekend approaches. 

Boat rides will also be offered for media members during which boat crews will discuss and demonstrate search and rescue techniques. 

The 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics report, the most current one available, cites that Florida led the nation in total number of accidents with 619. For perspective, this was 280 more boating accidents than California, the next leading state, with 339. Additionally, Florida led the nation in the total number of fatal accidents, with 54. 

National Safe Boating Week is a week-long annual campaign for the Coast Guard and agency partners to emphasize the importance of safe boating practices and the use of boating safety equipment. This year, National Safe Boating Week spans May 17-23. 

The 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics report should be available to the public soon at http://www.uscgboating.org. The report will be accessible under the “Statistics” menu selection and the “Accident Statistics” submenu selection.

For more information on safe boating, please visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division, the National Safe Boating Council and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Boating Education site.

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-USCG-

National Safe Boating Week safe boating Station Mayport Jacksonville Florida

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