Free Boat Safety Checks
Contributed by Doris Thomas, Eagle River Flotilla, US Coast Guard Auxiliary
Free Vessel Safety Checks will be offered by the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on Saturday, May 17 at St. Andres Catholic Church in Eagle River from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Sunday, May 18 at Eagle River Town Center, in the parking lot near the library, from noon to 4 p.m.
Any boater interested in knowing more about their power or paddle craft’s condition before launching can bring the boat by for a check of its systems and safety gear. These checks are completely voluntary and there is no penalty for not passing the check. Many insurance companies offer a discount for boats that earn the “Seal of Safety” from the Auxiliary. For additional information or to arrange for an examination on a different day, call Mel Kalkowski at (907) 242-6628.
The Auxiliary is also accepting serviceable used adult and children’s flotation devices for donation to the Kids Don’t Float life jacket loaner program.
The vessel safety checks are part of kickoff events for the 2025 North American Safe Boating Campaign, May 17-23, being observed throughout Alaska, particularly in the 11 communities served by Auxiliary flotillas.
For more details about the VSC program, go to http://www.cgaux.org/vsc/
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law enforcement actions. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral part of the United States Coast Guard. For more information visit www.cgaux.org
WEBSITES:
Flotilla 02-14, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Eagle Riverhttp :
//wow.uscgaux.info/?unit=17002-14
U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Alaska: http://cgauxalaska.org
Alaska State Office of Boating Safety: www.alaskaboatingsafety.org
U.S.C.G. Office of Boating Safety: www.uscgboating.org
National Safe Boating Council: www.safeboatingcouncil.org
National Safe Boating Week: www.safeboatingcampaign.com/