City honors Coast Guard Auxiliary and highlights boating-safety tips ahead of summer

Commodore Kenneth Jacobs of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary delivered a public report to Green City Council Tuesday urging residents to wear life jackets and take boater-safety courses ahead of the busy boating season, and the council presented a certificate recognizing the Auxiliary's local safety work.

"Always wear a life jacket," Commodore Jacobs told council, citing United States Coast Guard statistics and safety guidance and describing the National Safe Boating Week campaign that runs in mid-May ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Jacobs noted that the Coast Guard estimates lifesaving jackets could prevent nearly 75 percent of boating fatalities.

Mayor presented a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and thanked Jacobs and local volunteers for outreach and free vessel-safety checks. "The U.S. Coast Guard, the National Safe Boating Council, and dedicated partners such as yourself play a crucial role in educating boaters on life saving practices," the mayor read from the recognition letter.

Jacobs told the council that life jackets are available in types appropriate for different water activities and urged boaters to file a float plan and carry communications gear. He also described local training offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Council thanked the commodore and encouraged residents to use the safety resources before holiday boating activity increases.

Ending: The council acknowledged the Auxiliary with a certificate and urged residents to follow safe-boating guidance as summer approaches.