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HomeNewsArchivesNational Safe Boating Week Saturday

National Safe Boating Week Saturday

May 19, 2005 — What began 6 years ago as a small demonstration of boating safety gear has become the largest event of its kind ever held in the Virgin Islands. The United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary's kick off of National Safe Boating Week at 9 a.m. Saturday at the U.S. Coast Guard dock.
It’s a day for the entire family to learn about boating safety and see air and sea demonstrations from military and law enforcement agencies.
Highlights of the event will include helicopter rescue demonstrations performed by the U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Team, and good-guy, bad-guy chases around the harbor. This year an added feature will be aerial demonstrations of a Blackhawk helicopter. There will also be tours of several boats, including a Coast Guard Cutter, and a cruise ship life boat.
Over 20 displays will be available on the dock, including marine safety equipment, an inflated survival life raft, environmental displays from Coral World, a touch-tank of sea creatures from UVI Marine Sciences, CPR demonstrations by the American Red Cross, specialized equipment from the Virgin Islands Army National Guard, St. Thomas Rescue and demonstrations from the V.I. Fire Department.
Nearly a hundred prizes will be raffled off from local merchants, hotels, restaurants, and local and national airlines and cruise lines. The raffle will benefit the Coast Guard Auxiliary for marine search and rescue electronics, safety equipment, and educational materials for our boating safety classes.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian arm of the U.S. Coast Guard, assisting the Coast Guard in public education, search and rescue, port security patrols, marine environmental awareness, courtesy vessel examinations, and all areas of boating safety.
Free burgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks will be provided for everyone in attendance, and the V.I. National Guard Band will entertain. There is no charge for this very special event.
The event kicks off at the U.S. Coast Guard dock on the St. Thomas waterfront. Gates open at 9 a.m., the first helicopter demonstration is at 11 a.m. and the event runs until 1:30 p.m.

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