Busy Start to U.S. National Safe Boating Week

The Houston Coast Guard says it stayed busy during the start of National Safe Boating Week, working together with good Samaritans along the Texas coast responding to mariners in distress, as follows:

Friday

• At 5 p.m., the captain of the Lucky Isabella reported the death of a crewmember who had fallen overboard. They were able to recover the man, but were unable to save him. The man was reportedly not wearing a lifejacket. A medical examiner and Coast Guard investigator met them as they returned to port.
• Earlier, at 3:30 p.m., a Station Sabine boatcrew responded to a 36-foot sailboat taking on water in the vicinity of the Martin Luther King Bridge in Port Arthur. The boatcrew arrived on scene and assisted in dewatering the sailboat, then towed it back to a haul-out facility.

Saturday (official start of National Safe Boating Week)

• 11 a.m.: A Station Port O’Connor boatcrew responded to 36-foot Bay Shrimper that was aground and taking on water near Bouy 25 in the Victoria Channel. The crews arrived on scene and assisted in dewatering the boat.
• 12 p.m.: A Station Galveston boatcrew responded to a 16-foot center console pleasure craft, in the vicinity of the Texas City Dike, drifting toward the Houston Ship Channel. The boatcrew safely towed the boat back to the Texas City Dike.
• 2:30 p.m.: A Station Galveston boatcrew responded to a 21-foot disabled boat in the vicinity of Rollover Pass near the Bolivar Peninsula. A Sea Tow boatcrew was better suited to assist, due to the water depth, and helped those in distress.
• 2:30 p.m.: An Air Station Houston helicopter crew diverted, from a routine patrol, to assist a stranded kite surfer in the vicinity of the Texas City Dike. A good Samaritan was able to recover the surfer before the aircrew arrived.
• 5:30 p.m.: A Station Galveston boatcrew responded to an overturned 21-foot sailboat with two people standing on the haul in the vicinity of the Texas City Dike. They recovered both people in good health and a good Samaritan towed the sailboat to the beach.

The Coast Guard points out that as the significant events that have already happened highlight, being unsafe on the water can be very costly and may even be deadly.

This year, in conjunction with the "Wear It" campaign, the Coast Guard will highlight a safe boating initiative during each day of National Safe Boating Week to increase recreational boating safety