Recalls And Safety Related Defects  -  most recent findings can be found on USCG Office of Investigations & Analysis website along with current Safety Alerts (see items at bottom of this page for some examples).  Click on Newsboy to access searchable databases.

Help Preserve Our Environment  -  in Maryland Pumpout Facilities are funded through the Clean Vessel Act and charged no more than $5.00 for up to 50 gallons plus just 10 cents for each gallon over 50.  On-the Water pumpouts are also available during boating season:

West/Rhodes Rivers - Thursdays through Mondays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM by calling 410-533-9002 or using VHF Ch 71 to hail the "Honey Dipper"(currently a FREE service)

Severn River/Spa Creek - Daily 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM by calling 410-263-7973 or using VHF Ch 9 or 17 to hail the "Annapolis Pumpout Boat"

Recycle Used Shrink Wrap  -  removed from boats, watercraft, RV's, etc..  The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) is partnering with Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Cecil, Kent, Talbot, and Queen Anne's Counties to provide convenient recycling locations!

Emergency Response Guidebook  -  available online or free of charge through state public emergency response coordinators (contact information on Hazardous Materials Safety website or by calling (202) 366-4900).

Help Save Lives  -  Team-up For Safety by helping to remind all watercraft owners and operators to "Boat Smart From The Start" by:

1)  observing simple but important safe boating practices
2)  boat responsibly
3)  wear a Lifejacket  -  Lifejacket's float, people don't!

Free Boating Safety Brochures  -  Visit the BoatUS Foundation Website to see what items are available and to order free copies of items that are of interest.

New Maryland Law Effective 01 April 2006   -  If a child is less than 4 years of age or under 50 pounds, the Lifejacket worn by the child SHALL feature ADDITIONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, as appropriate for an infant, toddler or young child:

1)  STRAP that is secured between the legs
2)  INFLATABLE HEADREST or HIGH COLLAR
3)  WEB HANDLE

Five Years after the coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaeda on September 11th  -  We remember the 2,998 men and women whose lives were lost (2,750 at the World Trade Center including 340 Emergency personnel and 60 police officers from "Team Coast Guard," the NY and NJ Port Authority Police and the NYC Police and Fire Departments).

America's Waterway Watch (AWW) Program  -  Americans who understand what is "normal" in and around ports, harbors, lakes, tributaries, marinas, etc. can help make our Maritime Domain safer by remaining alert, observing, and reporting items that are abnormal to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 (877-24WATCH) or Calling 9-1-1 if immediate danger exists.   NEVER PUT YOURSELF AT RISK!   Learn more about participating in America's Waterway Watch (AWW) Program.

Maryland State Police Phone Fraud Alert - Do not respond to e-mails, phone calls, or web pages which direct you to call numbers beginning with area codes: 809, 284 and 876.  Click on picture for additional information.

Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) -  allows high school students to make informed decisions about attending the Coast Guard Academy or future careers in the Coast Guard.  The AIM Program provides students the opportunity to experience the Coast Guard Academy firsthand.  

Prepare for Hurricane Season   - Check your Marine Insurance Policy for provisions that go into effect during the Hurricane Season such as mandatory haul-out and tie down requirements, increased deductibles, etc. and then review BoatUS Seaworthy's free guide on how to prepare Marinas and Boats for Hurricanes.

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Water Trail -  2007 marked the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and Captain John Smith’s exploration in the Chesapeake Bay region.  Based out of Jamestown, Smith and his crew of just over a dozen men mapped almost 3,000 miles along Chesapeake Bay.  The Chesapeake Bay community has commemorated Smith’s voyages by establishing the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Water Trail.  The John Smith Trail is the first entirely water-based National Historic Trail.

Recall Notice for "Kite Tubes -  SportsStuff Wego Kite Tubes Withdrawn from Market after Reports of Deaths and Injuries.  Read the full story or see the USCG Office of Boating Safety website for additional information.  

Suzuki Motors Recalls Outboard Engine Models DF200, DF225 and DF250 -   initiated in July 05 since some units may have a flywheel defect that could cause serious injuries.  All owners of Suzuki outboard engine models DF200, DF225, and DF250 should read the Suzuki Motors Recall document before further operating these engines.

TYPE V PFD CO2 CYLINDER SAFETY NOTICE - bayonet tip CO2 cylinders that are not properly installed in inflatable Lifejackets will not inflate the Lifejacket when triggered.  There are several thousand inflatable Lifejackets with bayonet tip CO2 cylinders in use.

Switlik Life Rafts Recall -  for units that contain the proprietary Switlik inflation valve with a manufacturing date back to 1997.  If the valve is exposed to extreme temperature combination, it could self-inflate or potentially result in the undetected loss of the inflation gas.  Switlik Parachute Company (Trenton, New Jersey) - click on picture for complete details.