BUFFALO, N.Y. — The U.S. Coast Guard is working to make sure people get out on the water safely.
The Coast Guard hosted a boating safety open house at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park.
Visitors learned how the Coast Guard responds to emergencies and got the opportunity to watch a helicopter search-and-rescue demonstration on the Buffalo River.
"This time of year around Memorial Day, we see recreational boating increase on the Great Lakes, so we just want to remind everybody to make sure they're wearing their lifejackets, make sure they're filing a float plan, which means telling somebody where they're going, when they plan to be back, as well as having a reliable way to contact the Coast Guard if they do end up in trouble," said Andrew Barresi, an officer with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard says that drowning is the cause in 80% of boating fatalities and that 83% of those drowning victims were not wearing life jackets.
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