The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the volunteer uniformed auxiliary service of the United States Coast Guard. The Auxiliary exists to support all US Coast Guard missions on the water or in the air, except those that require direct law enforcement or military engagement. Danny speaks with Mike Moloney,Paddlecraft Safety Team Coordinator with US Coast Guard Auxiliary- Casco Bay

Let’s first look at some of the statistics

• 60% of all recreational boating fatalities in the First Coast Guard District are paddlecraft related
• In more than 80% of the recreational boating deaths in the Northeast, victims were not wearing Life Jackets
• Approximately half of those killed in a canoe or kayak accident were fishing
• More hunters die from drowning and cold water immersion than gunshot wounds

According to a national study done by the Lifesaving Society

• 60% drowned in water under 50 degrees
• 34% drowned in water between 50-68 degrees
• 43% were less than 6 feet from safety

We define cold water as anything under 68 degrees, where you cannot indefinitely defend your body temperature.

Find out more at CascoBayFlotilla.org