Division 7 - District 7 

Public Education

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 74 offers public education classes and promotes boating safety and accident prevention - in Brandon, Florida.

In 2003, fishing was the activity with the second highest accident rate. 543 people who were fishing on boats were in accidents, and unfortunately 187 died.

Think about it, 34% of those fishing, who were also boating, died due to the
accidents they were involved with. Taking a safe boating course could save your life!

Can your passengers help in an emergency?
Stanley Shakespeare, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer replacement player and member of the 1983 National champion Miami Hurricanes, died in April 2005 as a result of a boating accident that involved him being blown off his own boat. Unfortunately, his fishing companion didn’t know how to operate the 17-foot boat and couldn’t throw a life vest close enough when the boat drifted away!

This very sad event is a perfect example of the critical importance of other members of your crew being trained and knowledgeable in how to operate the various systems on your boat.

Do you ever give boat rides to friends or family who wouldn't know how to help in an emergency on the water? Send them to training!

Sign up to get notified by email of Flotilla 74's upcoming courses in Brandon, Florida, and other local public boating events by subscribing to the Channel 24 Public News mailing list.

Note: If you do not live in or near Brandon, Florida, locate the courses nearest you anywhere in the US
or in District 7 (FL, SC, GA, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands)