Alcoa Launches Water Safety Campaign, Urges Boaters to Always Wear …
Source: PR Newswire (press release) (Original Article)
NORTH CAROLINA RANKS SIXTH NATIONALLY IN BOATING FATALITIES
HIGH ROCK LAKE, N.C., May 23 /PRNewswire/ — With the start of the
summer recreation season beginning this weekend, Alcoa joined forces with
local law enforcement officers at High Rock Lake today to stress the
importance of water and boating safety.
“Accidents can happen in an instant. When they do, there’s little or no
time to react. Your decision to wear a life jacket - instead of stowing
under a seat — could mean the difference between life and death,” said
Tommy Gibson, an Alcoa community relations manager. “We encourage everyone
who visits the lakes this summer to play it safe and always wear a life
jacket.”
Statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard show that 24 people in North
Carolina died in boating accidents during 2006, a 41 increase from 2005.
Nationwide, 710 people died in boating accidents, nearly two-thirds of whom
were not wearing a life jacket and drowned.
NEW COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WILL FACILITATE COMMUNICATIONS
This year, law enforcement officials will have another valuable tool
when responding to emergencies on the lake.
A new long-range communications system, purchased with a grant from the
Alcoa Foundation, will facilitate better communications between various
agencies patrolling the lakes, including the NC Wildlife Resources
Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and local law enforcement
agencies.
The improved system allows direct communication between officers with
the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,
and provides a faster way for those officials to be contacted by local
police and rescue squads. Communication is now possible between law
enforcement all across the lake and even between different lakes in the
region.
“This new communications system will be a tremendous help during
emergency situations,” said Dick Fisher, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. “It’s
important that those of us patrolling the Citibank Clear Credit Card lakes can share information
quickly. This …continue reading