[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 69 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE U.S. COAST GUARD'S 9TH ANNUAL CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR 
                           SAFE BOATING EXPO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2014

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition 
of the U.S. Coast Guard's 9th Annual Channel Islands Harbor Safe 
Boating Expo, which recognizes May 17 through 23, 2014 as National Safe 
Boating Week. The event also marks the start of the year-round effort 
to promote safe boating.
   With an average of 700 people dying each year in a boating-related 
accident, approximately 71% of these fatalities are caused by drowning. 
The vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error and/or 
poor judgment, not by faulty equipment or environmental factors. It is 
known that a significant number of boaters who lose their lives by 
drowning each year would be alive today had they worn their life 
jackets. It is crucial that the public stay educated about boating 
safety and the ways in which they can protect themselves and others.
   At the Channel Island Harbor Safe Boating Expo, attendees will be 
able to watch offshore helicopter and fire rescue demonstrations, as 
well as flare inspection and disposal services, vessel safety exams and 
other hands-on exhibits. The event will also be attended by the 
American Red Cross, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Channel Islands Harbor 
Patrol, Oxnard Police/Fire Dive Team, the Channel Islands National 
Park, Ventura County Sheriff Rescue, Ventura County Fire Department, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Service, 
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Ventura Sail and Power 
Squadron. These attendees represent the collaborative efforts and 
partnerships that we have in Ventura County.
   This important and engaging community event is hosted by the United 
States Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor, a multi-mission unit 
that conducts Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, Maritime Law 
Enforcement, Counter Drug & Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations, 
Marine Environmental Protection and Boating Safety from Point Dume, CA, 
to Point Conception, CA, and out 50 nautical miles. Their area of 
responsibility also includes the gorgeous Channel Islands in Ventura 
and Santa Barbara Counties. The station is also homeport to the 87-foot 
Patrol boat USCGC Blacktip and ESD Detachment Oxnard.
   I want to congratulate the U.S. Coast Guard on their ongoing efforts 
to educate our community about recreational water safety and join them 
in supporting the campaign efforts of National Safe Boating Week.

                          ____________________