The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be stationed on the Washington waterfront doing free vessel safety checks and promoting boater safety during the annual Marine Market from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on April 28.

The Auxiliary will have their booth will be set up will free boater and paddle-craft safety information. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard will be there to welcome visitors and allow them to visit their pursuit boat.

As you know, the Auxiliary, under Homeland Security, are the volunteer side of the Coast Guard whose primary mission is boater safety by making sure the boater and paddle-craft enthusiasts have the proper equipment to be safe on the waters. With your help this year we will be able to save many lives because of the efforts we all should share in promoting safe habits and proper equipment in case of an emergency.

Here are just a few statistics:

• 80 percent of boating deaths are due to drowning;
• 83 percent of victims are not wearing a life jacket;
• Two-thirds of drowning victims are good swimmers;
• 4,463 accidents were reported in 2016, a figure that’s up by 7.3 percent;
• Approximately $49 million in property damage is done as a result of recreational boating accidents.

Thank you for your support of boater safety, the life of the public on the waterways and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. And remember, National Safe Boater Safety Week is May 19-25.