NAWILIWILI — Many boating safety suggestions are simple and can prevent an incident from turning into a disaster. Saturday, representatives from the United States Coast Guard and its Auxiliary, the Kaua‘i Fire Department, the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau and the
NAWILIWILI — Many boating safety suggestions are simple and can prevent an incident from turning into a disaster.
Saturday, representatives from the United States Coast Guard and its Auxiliary, the Kaua‘i Fire Department, the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau and the Sea Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America, Aloha Council, welcomed the public to National Boating Day at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor.
The public enjoyed tours and got close-up looks at watercraft to herald the start of National Safe Boating Week, which runs through Friday.
With a theme of “Wear It — Always Wear a Life Jacket,” the National Safe Boating Council hosts the annual event to promote safe boating practices and reduce fatalities from boating accidents.
“I want to know if my kids are able to participate in the Sea Scouts,” said Denise Roberts, whose son and daughter are enrolled in swimming programs.
Rilee Neuman, who graduated from Kapa‘a High School Friday night, offered to take the family on a tour of the Sea Scout ship, “Decisive.”
“I love the Sea Scout program,” Neuman said. “Unfortunately, it ends when you reach a certain age. Right now, I’m trying to apply for the Coast Guard. If I don’t make it, I’m going to try again, next year.”
Larry Richardson, commodore of the Sea Scouts program that’s chartered by the Kaua‘i Police Activities League, said once a Scout reaches the cutoff age, they can continue as Junior Officers, similar to Tanner Martiney who met Neuman and the Roberts’ ‘ohana at the gate leading to the Decisive.
The ship, which was presented to the Sea Scout program on its charter, sported a new coat of paint featuring a new stylish logo of the program.
Richardson said the Decisive’s new paint job was a result of the Sea Scouts’ spring break project.
“The Scouts did an amazing job,” Richardson said. “They were up and working at 7 a.m. each day, and even at 9 p.m., they were still working on the boat.”
The Kaua‘i Fire Department had its Radon 1 fire boat on display, joining the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau water safety officers who had information on the Junior Lifeguard program which starts in early June at Salt Pond Beach Park.
The Keiki Junior Lifeguard program, initiated last year at one site, is sold out at three sites this year, said Randy Ortiz, an ocean safety supervisor.
Applicants for the regular Junior Lifeguard program can get applications from any of the lifeguard towers, or at the Kaua‘i Fire Department office in the Pi‘ikoi Building.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
