Coast Guard Auxiliary for June 14, 2012

For many of the reading audience, it has been a very wet week.

While we all need the rain and are thankful, for many the overwhelming amount of water in such a short time created problems of flooding and damage.

However, it is also the unseen that can create problems.

As many of you head out on the water, debris from upriver and areas that rarely have water will travel out into heavy traveled areas.

We have retrieved fallen trees floating in the middle of the river, large obstructions and other smaller items such as coolers that can be dangerous for boaters who may not see them.

Although Navigation Rule 6 was discussed several weeks ago, it addresses situations like this, that boaters must operate at safe speeds to avoid collisions.

After storms or heavy rains, the hazards become obstructed and new hazards are created. Caution is a must, after all a boat is roughly 1,000 or more pounds and there are no seat belts or brakes. An abrupt stop can be dangerous and even fatal.

In spite of the rain, Auxiliarists are semper paratus, always ready.

Larry Kolk attended Marina Day at the Carrabelle Boat Club on Saturday. In addition to providing information on boating safety, Larry was able to talk about the Auxiliary and has several individuals interested in learning more about what we do and how they may fit into the Auxiliary.

As many of you know we are also working hard to re-establish the Auxiliary’s presence in the Carrabelle-Apalachicola-St. George area.

In addition, he also had a nice visit with two FWC officers and the manager of the Boat Club.

One final note, the excessive rains are a great reminder that we are officially into the Hurricane season.

Last week, all of you received in The Wakulla News a hurricane preparedness guide as part of preparedness week. The National Hurricane Center reminds all of us that history teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters.

By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

As Sherrie always says, safe boating is no accident.

Neither is coming out ahead in a bad storm: Be aware and be prepared!