NEW ORLEANS –In an effort to increase water safety, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Eighth District Coastal Region Division 4 will be staffing a water safety booth and performing boat safety inspections at the Bonnet Carré Spillway in Norco, La. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Inspections will take place at the Parish Boat Launch starting at 8:00 am til 11:00 am and the water safety booth will be located adjacent.
The Corps has five important water safety tips when boating or swimming:
· Wear a life jacket. Project rules require everyone to wear a life vest regardless of age and boat length. Loaner jackets are available at several locations around the Bonnet Carré Spillway.
· Alcohol and water don’t mix. More than half of all drowning deaths are related to alcohol consumption.
· Watch your children. It only takes a child an average of 20 seconds to drown. Be a water watcher and designate someone to always watch children or any person with special needs while on or around the water.
· Know your limits. Do not jump off objects or swim farther than you should. Recognize your limitations and stay within them.
· Safe boating. Take a boating safety course at www.wlf.louisiana.gov or www.Boat-Ed.com. Know the law and rules of the water before you boat. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the majority of boating-related fatalities involve operators who have not received any boating safety instruction.
Providing water safety and safe recreational environments are key missions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For more information, go to the New Orleans District’s Recreation website, http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation.aspx , and click on the water safety information link.
Release no. 13-030