Be Aware of your Surroundings - Stay Alert
All Americans must
be aware of their surroundings during these days of heightened security threats
here and overseas. Along our coastal borders, the Coast Guard and
Coast Guard Auxiliary are always vigilant for suspicious activities which may
indicate terrorist deeds.
As the everyday citizen goes along his or her routine day, they should:
1) stay alert!
2) report any suspicious activities to authorities!
Know who your neighbors are and what cars are normally in your neighborhood.
Know who regularly makes deliveries at your place of work and who the
regular maintenance and cleaning people are. When you know what is
appropriate, you can more easily determine what isn’t.
SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING!!
CELL PHONE OR MARINE RADIO?
1) When you are in your boat you are fairly isolated, but if you are in trouble you need to attract someone's attention.
2) If you have other boats nearby you may be able to communicate your troubles. However, if no one is close, then you need a better way of attracting the right kind of attention. There are two choices; the one you choose may save your life, those of your passengers and your craft:
A) A marine VHF radio installed on your boat or at least a portable hand-held unit. Having both is ideal.
(I) Reliability.
a) 25 watts of power.
b) Range of almost five miles.
c) Better heard by Coast Guard's high towers.
d) Heard by other boaters in the area. Acts like a party line.
e) Can be located with direction-finding equipment.
B) A cell phone.
(II) Unreliable or no communications depending on location of cell tower.
a) .3 watts of power.
b) Range dependent on tower site.
c) Only heard by the Coast Guard if you can call them directly.
d) You are heard by only the party you're calling. If you call 911, you're delaying your rescue due to their being on shore.
e) Cannot be located with direction-finding equipment.
If your only means of communication on the water is a cell phone then, before leaving the dock, make sure your cell phone's battery is fully charged. Keep your phone in a watertight bag that floats and have the Coast Guard and other appropriate emergency numbers in a handy place. If you do have to use your cell for an emergency call, give your cell phone number, the boat's name, description, location, nature of the emergency and number of people on board the boat. Speak slowly and repeat your cell phone number before ending the call.
If
There Is Immediate Danger to Life or Property, Call 9-1-1 or Call the Coast Guard
on Marine Channel 16.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
| HOMELAND SECURITY (CT) | 1-800-774-8724 |
| HOMELAND SECURITY (LI) | 1-800-697-8724 |
| NATIONAL WATERWATCH | 1-877-24WATCH (1-877-249-2824) |
| PORT RESTRICTIONS INFORMATION | 1-800-682-1796 |
| U.S.C.G. Info-Line | 1-800-368-5647 |
| Boat/US Foundation Course | 1-800-336-BOAT (1-800-336-2628) |
IMPORTANT LINKS
Be Aware!!
Be Very Aware!!