LOUDON — On Tuesday, May 12, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Tellico Lake 12-2 and Loudon County Mayor Buddy Bradshaw met to sign a proclamation regarding National Safe Boating Week, which spans from May 16-22.
Bradshaw signed off on the proclamation which encourages U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary that promotes safe boating.
“One of our biggest tourism draws for Loudon County is our waterways,” Bradshaw said. “So, it is important to improve our education on that. We appreciate the job our local Coast Guard does.”
Things to do to stay safe while boating
In 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 566 deaths due to recreational boating accidents.
In 87% of these cases, life jackets were not worn. It is imperative that local boaters always wear life jackets on the water no matter the time of day or place.
“Even though the boating season has not officially begun, there have been seven fatalities in Tennessee,” Flotilla 12-2’s Mike Colacone said.
Another problem that comes into play with boater safety in Loudon County is the unlicensed use of jetskis and personal watercraft.
“One of the biggest causes of water accidents is the lack of understanding how to operate watercraft,” Flotilla 12-2’s Mark Karnes said. “It is a requirement at age 12 in Tennessee to be trained in boater safety. We encourage everyone to do that.”
If an accident does happen on the water, Karnes encourages those to call 9-1-1 to let the operator determine the closest agency who is able to assist you.
Boater Safety Classes Available
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary that monitors Tellico offers a handful of classes on boating safety.
On May 26th, a class for women is being held at The Yacht Club in Tellico Village from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
There is another class talking about personal watercraft on June 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
To see a full class schedule or for more information about boating safety classes in Loudon County, you can visit www.tellicolife.org/us-coast-guard-auxiliary.
