Police Officer 1 Jessie Wabol of Boating Safety yesterday said last year, they conducted 400 hours of marine enforcement patrol and responded to nine distress calls including three sunken vessels, one jet ski accident, one vessel accident, one vessel on fire, one vessel aground, one kayak accident and one wakeboarding accident.
They also responded to four drowning fatalities and nine near-drowning incidents.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial declared May 17-22, 2009 as CNMI Safe Boating Week yesterday.
Wabol, who read the proclamation, said while boating is a marvelous source of recreation, it can also be a dangerous sport.
The proclamation stressed the importance of knowing and obeying the navigation rules or the nautical “rules of the road” not only during Boating Safety Week but throughout the entire year to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
“It is essential that safe boating habits be enforced, such as wearing a life jacket when operating or riding a boat. It is a simple task that can save lives,” the proclamation stated.
It added that about 700 to 800 people die in boating-related accidents in the United States.
This year’s Safe Boating Week theme is “Boat Smart, Boat Safe.”
Heroes awarded
Immediately after the proclamation signing, eight individuals were given special recognition for going out of their way to save other people from water-related accidents in the past months.
“This is the first time we give out the CNMI Hero Award to these deserving individuals,” said Rose Ada-Hocog of the Baby Pedro Foundation.
Given special medals and plaques of appreciation were Patrick Concepcion Aldan, Raymond Crisostomo, Brian Reyes, Patrick Reyes, Edwin Villagomez,, former Department of Corrections Commissioner Lino S. Tenorio, Darrell Concepcion and Ashley Conception.
