Latest news with #NationalSafeBoatingWeek
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
What's your float plan for Memorial Day weekend? TN agencies recommend these safety tips
The long-awaited, three-day holiday weekend held each year in May marks an unofficial start to summer and fun on the water for many. For others, Memorial Day serves as a stark reminder of the importance of boating safety. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials say four incidents have resulted in five fatalities in 2025, one of which involved a paddle craft. More: Missing 12-year-old Clarksville boy's body found in Red River after days-long search One fatality was reported over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in 2024. "We want to encourage everyone to always boat responsibly," TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division Lt. Col. Matt Majors said in a release. "Our waterways are enjoyed by all types of vessels, both small and large. Please maintain a proper lookout at all times and ensure alcohol and drugs are not part of your float plan." Tennessee offers boating enthusiasts several opportunities to enjoy its resources throughout the Volunteer State, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announced in a release. In participation with the 2025 National Safe Boating Week, the agency is encouraging all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills now ahead of the summer boating season. National Safe Boating Week is held the week before Memorial Day weekend and serves as the annual kick-off for the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages responsible boating. According to the release, boating partners across the United States and Canada, including the TWRA and other local partner organizations, have teamed up to emphasize safe boating practices like wearing life jackets and educate the boating community on options that are lightweight and comfortable. The Nashville Office of Emergency Management and Nashville Fire Department say they want everyone to be safe over the holiday weekend and prioritize boating safety. "Whether you're hitting the road, spending time on our Metro Nashville Davidson County waterways, or gathering with family and friends, it's essential to stay mindful of safety," Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Community Services Manager and Public Information Officer Joseph Pleasant said in a release. "For those who plan to enjoy the beautiful waterways this weekend, boating safety is a top priority. Always wear a life jacket and ensure that all passengers do the same." Before hitting the water, officials encourage everyone to create a float plan. Here are some TWRA recommended safety tips for boaters: Boating safety courses offer valuable knowledge and on-water experience with many options for novice to experienced boaters. For more about TWRA boating safety education, visit Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration and communication equipment on board. Ensure everyone on board wears a life jacket every time. A stowed life jacket is no use in an emergency. Use an engine cut-off device, or engine cut-off switch, to stop the boat's engine if the operator unexpectedly falls overboard. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones and always travel at a safe speed. Don't drink and drive, a boat that is. A BUI, or boating under the influence, is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper. Stay in touch with others by having more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones and cell phones can all be important devices in an emergency. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennesseans hit the water Memorial Day, agencies urge boater safety
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
U.S. Coast Guard officials preview safety preparations for busy boating Memorial Day weekend
Memorial Day weekend is a popular one for boaters, and that means the U.S. Coast Guard is at the ready out on Jacksonville's waters. 'It's a time of the year when a lot of people, we got out boating in Florida all year, but it's really a kick off of the season,' U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary officer Rick Saunders said. 'And our goal is really to help the boating public be safe on the water.' Coast Guard officials will be keeping a watchful eye this weekend and during the remainder of National Safe Boating Week. Officials will be ensuring boaters are using their life jackets both for their own safety, but also to help ensure a quick rescue in case of emergency. 'The jackets when they inflate are a recognizable color, makes that person easier to find, locate, and save,' Saunders said. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] On Friday morning, Action News Jax also had an up close look at the training exercises designed to make sure Coast Guard officials will be ready at a moments notice if a boating emergency arises. 'We pride ourselves on being experts in the marine environment so we constantly train to make sure we're always ready to respond to a search and rescue case and we don't stumble or fumble whenever we need to respond,' U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Michael Baldy said. Now, officials are asking that over the holiday weekend, boaters ensure their vessels are up to safety standards, but also that they celebrate responsibly out on the water. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'Just being responsible and everything, that will help us out [to be available] for more serious cases,' US Coast Guard officer Macy Kane said. 'Anything can happen out on the water, it's just good to be safe.' Coast Guard officials also ask that boaters behind the wheel on the water this weekend make sure to attach the engine kill switch to their life jackets; that way if they go overboard, their vessel shuts off and further tragedy is prevented. You can find more ways to safe out on the water by clicking the link to the US Coast Guard website here. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VisitErie unveils new brand celebrating life by the lake
VisitErie has introduced a new brand to attract visitors and highlight the region's lifestyle. Last year, tourism in the Erie area generated over $1.2 billion in visitor spending and supported more than 15,000 jobs. VisitErie's rebranding effort is designed to maintain this momentum by appealing to both visitors and residents. 'Visitors and what they are looking for and what they want has changed,' said John Oliver, President & CEO of VisitErie. 'Visitors in the past it was often a static vacation. Now, they want to be active.' The new brand, 'Good Life. Great Lake.', is intended to reflect Erie as a year-round destination, offering experiences from sandy summer beaches to snow-covered slopes. State officials emphasize National Safe Boating Week ahead of Memorial Day John Oliver emphasized that the region provides a wide range of activities to keep visitors engaged and stress-free. Emily Biddle, Director of Marketing & Research at VisitErie, highlighted the significance of living on a Great Lake, noting that it is a major draw for both residents and visitors. 'We sort of take for granted the fact that we live on a great lake, that's huge,' she said. The rebranding process took 18 months and involved developing not just a new logo and tagline, but a comprehensive look, feel, and tone. Emily Biddle explained that the process was about understanding what resonates with people and creating a brand that embodies the local community. The rebranding is built on five key pillars: the great outdoors, a foodie favorite, markers and culture, family-friendly for all ages, and heritage woven in. These pillars aim to promote Erie as a diverse and attractive destination for various interests. With this new branding strategy, VisitErie hopes to continue attracting both new and returning visitors, potentially leading to further growth in tourism and economic benefits for the region. 'It's going to encourage visitors, those that haven't been here, to say 'hey we should give this a try',' John Oliver stated. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie County Technical School hosts sign-on day for graduating seniors
There are multiple paths to success, and the Erie County Technical School hosted its sign-on day for graduating seniors on Wednesday. There are 306 students in the graduating class, and 60 students were recognized. State officials emphasize National Safe Boating Week ahead of Memoral Day All have completed nearly 1,500 hours of training and are going straight into the military or the workforce. Students were celebrated along with local business people who provided them with training, co-ops and ultimately employment. From blight to bright — Erie Land Bank showcases newly rehabilitated home 'Some of them are going to apprenticeship programs and workforce and some of them are going straight into the workforce. And we're celebrating the three years of their time at the career technical institution,' said Matthew Laverde, executive director of the Erie County Technical School. 'It's a pretty good feeling to know I got to come to a school that gives me a lot of opportunity to explore a lot of different career fields, see things I'm interested in and I'm walking out of it with a job and I got to learn things and make some money so it's a good feeling,' said James Farrar, a graduating senior. At the ceremony, Toyota of Erie provided the program with a $25,000 check to be used for tools and equipment and upgrading the school's lab. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Beaufort County Sheriffs Office talks boating safety ahead of Memorial Day
WASHINGTON, N.C. (WNCT) — Not only is May 17-23 National Safe Boating Week but Memorial Day weekend is around the corner and Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is making sure people are staying safe out on the water. 'It's the river, It's not the ocean, but we got 130 square miles of water in this county. A lot of people out on the boats, people from out of town that come,' Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Captain Kasey Neal said. 'With that said, people get out in the water, people start drinking, speeding, things like that. Accidents do happen.' The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office has a new safety boat they got in August of 2024 through a grant. 'This gives us the ability to get out here and respond to maybe someone who's just fallen overboard, maybe has gone unconscious, maybe is skiing and hit a log here, which is popular in the Tar River, Pamlico River,' Beaufort County Sheriff Scott Hammonds said. 'We have injuries and we just want to be able to be another asset to respond.' Capt. Kasey Neal said just last week officials rescued a man who fell off his boat in Belhaven. 'It could've been avoided. So, when you have a life jacket on, or if you have a kill switch on the boat, especially with life jacket, we've been able to locate that person a lot, lot quicker. So, I don't like things that are avoidable,' Capt. Neal said. Memorial Day weekend is a big weekend for people to go out on the boat with friends and family. 'Alcohol and boating is not the combination. You want to be cold out here on the waterfront, operating on the river,' Sheriff Hammonds said. 'The tragedy of that is injury or death and it is an experience that is thoughtless and reckless.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
