Voluntary recreational vessel checks are non-punitive, Folkert explained, and conducted by citizen volunteers. The idea is that boat owners have a chance to learn how they can bring their boats into compliance before they get out on the water. The Coast Guard could levy a fine to a boater who isn’t following the rules; voluntary checks are a way to avoid that. Those who undergo voluntary checks receive a sticker they can put on their vessels, Folkert said. The USCG is more often more lenient when inspecting vessels that have the sticker. A sticker, “Doesn’t mean you won’t be stopped by the Coast Guard, but if the Coast Guard is out there and doing inspections, they could go to the next guy,” when they see a sticker, Folkert said. Recreational boating fatalities have declined on a long-term trend since 2002, Folkert said. Seven boaters died in Alaska in 2015 and 16 died in 2016, the last two years for which statistics are available. Folkert linked the trend to the passage of the Safe Boating Act in 2002. Alaska was the last state or territory to pass the act, Folkert said. If you have any questions about the event ahead of time, please contact Petty Officer 1st Class Mike Klosterman at 907-463-2365.
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