February 2018 Newsletter     Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter 
Emergency Preparedness: Six Steps Boaters Can Take Over the Off-Season
Fire Rescue Boat

Already planning for a summer of fun and adventure on the water? As part of your planning, make sure you're prepared for an accident or emergency. As the saying goes: hope for the best, but plan for the worst. 

1. Begin by getting a vessel safety check from the U.S. Power Squadrons or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. By doing so, you can be assured that your boat meets minimum federal and state safety requirements. 

2. Determine if your safety gear and related devices are adequate for the type of boat you have and the excursions you're planning to take. You may need to go beyond the prescribed minimums.

Want more? Review tips 3 through 6 here.

International Year of the Reef 2018

In November 2016, at the Paris, France general meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative, 2018 was declared the third International Year of the Reef (IYOR). IYOR is a worldwide initiative that seeks to raise awareness of the importance of coral reefs and the threats to their existence. Prior IYORs (1997 and 2008) gained support from 630 organizations in 65 countries and territories. 

IYOR goals for 2018 include: 
  • Strengthening awareness about the value of, and threats to, coral reefs and associated ecosystems. 
  • Promoting partnerships between governments, the private sector, academia and civil society on the management of coral reefs.
  • Identifying and implementing effective management strategies for conservation, increased resiliency and sustainable use of these ecosystems. 
  • Sharing information on best practices in relation to sustainable coral reef management.
Get more information about the International Year of the Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest living reef system spanning more than 2,600 kilometers off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Planning to navigate this spectacular natural wonder? Find  the right charts at oceangrafix.com .


Safety at Sea

The United States Power Squadrons  is offering a two-hour safety webinar titled "Emergencies On Board" on March 20th. Listen live to topics including how to prepare for common problems on board, how to handle emergencies and how to communicate effectively in those situations. 

Register for the USPS webinar.

Follow OceanGrafix on Facebook  Like us on Facebook

Click here to get our latest news, tips and industry stories.

noaa logo footer
og logo footer