Coast Guard Offers Boating Safety Tips

The U.S. Coast Guard is urging Southern California boaters to always check weather forecasts before heading out and to seek shelter upon first signs of a storm.

All boats should possess life jackets and a radio or waterproofed and charged cell phone, and file a float plan with family or friends ashore who can notify emergency personnel. 

Recently, a group of children kayaking off the coast of Catalina were swept more than a mile offshore as winds picked up to 45 knots. The Coast Guard rescued all the children, but some however, suffered from hypothermia.

For more information on weather, visit wrh.noaa.gov/lox.

For information on safe boating, visit uscgboating.org.

Float plan forms are available at, visit floatplancentral.org.