US Coast Guard Auxiliary Naples Announces National Safe Boating Week
Naples, FL – Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-3 in Naples celebrates National Safe Boating Week. The event runs the week of May 17th thru May 24th. This national program focuses on educating the boating public to have a greater awareness of boating safety while enjoying activities on the water. The National Safe Boating Council supports this effort by sponsoring the National Safe Boating Week. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is a key partner in this program.
According to Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Commission, there were 735 boating accidents in 2022. A total of 65 people lost their lives in these accidents. Since 2003, falls overboard has been the leading type of fatal accident, with drowning as the leading cause of death. Of the drowning victims, 81% were not wearing a life jacket. The statistics for 2023 are not yet available. Last month, locally, two people were killed in a boating accident.
The mission of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is to provide safety awareness programs to the public to help reduce the number of boating accidents as well as the loss of life from these accidents. This is done through various public outreach programs. Flotilla 9-3 has been servicing the Naples boating community since 1952. We provide Vessel Safety Examinations at no cost to the boater. We also sponsor boating safety classes. Watch for more information regarding our public events throughout Collier County. For further information about other U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary programs, including how to join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 93 in Naples, please contact the Naples Flotilla at (239) 261-7375 or visit us at: