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NOUS42 KILM 190915
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NCZ087-096-099-105>110-SCZ017-023-024-032-033-039-053>056-191315-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
515 AM EDT SUN MAY 19 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND THE NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL,
HAVE PARTNERED FOR NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK FROM MAY 18 TO MAY 24.
THIS WEEK WILL HIGHLIGHT RELEVANT WEATHER...AND SAFETY SPECIFIC
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS...FOR THE RECREATIONAL BOATING PUBLIC.

TODAYS TOPIC IS VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS.

THIS BOATING SEASON...MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE
VESSEL SAFETY CHECK PROGRAM...A FREE...NO RISK...SERVICE PROVIDED IN
YOUR AREA BY THE U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY AND THE U.S. POWER
SQUADRONS. A QUALIFIED VESSEL EXAMINER WILL CONDUCT AN INSPECTION OF
ALL THE REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT CARRIED OR INSTALLED ON A VESSEL
AND CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE VESSELS OVERALL CONDITION. EVEN IF YOU
PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO SAFETY...DANGEROUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS CAN
CROP UP ON THE BEST-MAINTAINED BOAT. THAT IS WHY THE U.S. COAST
GUARD RECOMMENDS THAT ALL RECREATIONAL BOATS...INCLUDING PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT...GET A FREE VESSEL SAFETY CHECK...EACH YEAR.

A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK IS YOUR BEST WAY OF LEARNING ABOUT CONDITIONS
THAT MIGHT PUT YOU IN VIOLATION OF STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS...OR
WORSE...CREATE AN UNSAFE CONDITION FOR YOU OR YOUR PASSENGERS ON THE
WATER.

BE PREPARED FOR ANY EMERGENCY WHEN YOU ARE AFLOAT. GET A FREE VESSEL
SAFETY CHECK TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VESSEL COMPLIES WITH BOTH
FEDERAL AND STATE REQUIREMENTS. IF THE VESSEL MEETS ALL
REQUIREMENTS...THE EXAMINER WILL AWARD A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK
DECAL. IF YOUR VESSEL FAILS TO RECEIVE A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK
DECAL...NO LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION IS TAKEN AND THE EXAMINER WILL
PROVIDE A LIST OF ITEMS FOR CORRECTION.

TO LEARN MORE...VISIT THE NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL ONLINE AT
WWW.SAFEBOATINGCOUNCIL.ORG.

VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON AT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/ILM.

$$