Release #: 12-2

Release date:  Dec. 17, 2003

Contact: Petty Officer Dana Warr

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SEVENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT

Coast Guard Christmas wish list

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Has the frustration of Christmas shopping set in?  Tired of thinking what to get someone for the Holidays?  Only a week away to find something for a loved one, the Coast Guard can hopefully make those shopping decisions a little easier.      The Coast Guard is offering 10 suggested boating items that can be life saving and help keep your loved ones around for many Holidays to come.      Items on the Coast Guard's wish list for any boater are ... 1.  a boating safety course 2.  a personal emergency positioning indicator radio beacon (PEPIRB) or (EPIRB) 3.  life jackets 4.  VHF marine band radio 5.  a flare kit 6.  a global positioning system (GPS) 7.  a first aid kit 8.  a fire extinguisher 9.  a strobe light 10. a sound producing device (whistle or an air horn)      Any of these items listed above can be found at any local sporting goods store, marina or boating store.  To learn about boating safety courses in you area, call 1-800-336-2628 or go online to www.cgaux.org or www.usps.org to find a Coast Guard Auxiliary or United States Power Squadrons boating course near you.      No matter the boaters enthusiasm or how many years he or she has been boating, any of these items can help make boating safer and more enjoyable.  So give the boating enthusiast a life saving gift this Holiday season.  You'll be glad you did! -uscg- The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.