Boating Safety Inspection Day to be observed at Centennial Park on May 18

Police Department collaborating with other organizations for courtesy inspections between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

These are Coast Guard-approved life vests. Such equipment — in sizes appropriate for all passengers — is strongly recommended for boating. Image courtesy Sarasota Police Department Marine Patrol via YouTube

On Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., the Sarasota Police Department and the Civilian Volunteer Marine Program will partner with United States Coast Guard Flotilla 84 and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for an Interagency Boating Safety Inspection Day at Centennial Park, the Police Department has announced.

Centennial Park is located at 1059 N. Tamiami Trail, near downtown Sarasota. It also is known as the 10th Street Boat Ramp.

“According to the United States Coast Guard, each year, hundreds of lives are lost, thousands are injured and millions of dollars in property damage happens because of preventable recreational boating accidents on our waterways,” said Officer Michael Skinner of the Sarasota Police Department Marine Patrol in a news release. “The Sarasota Police Department wants to make sure everyone has a safe boating season,” he added in the release.

“Families wanting to enjoy the upcoming Memorial Day weekend may head out for a day on a boat that has seen very little use during the winter,” the release points out. “In the excitement of the holiday weekend, safety equipment checks are often overlooked. Families may later find themselves without the necessary equipment in an emergency or be upset when they are cited for violations” by local law enforcement officers, the release notes.

A boating safety public service announcement from the Sarasota Police Department Marine Patrol Unit may be seen at https://youtu.be/sQimT7mlib4.