Six Boating Safety Tips from BoatUS

ALEXANDRIA, Va. June 2, 2010 – On waterways across the country, boating season begins this week. To help boaters and anglers brush up on their boating safety, the BoatUS Foundation has these six tips:

Through a turtle thrashing and seaweed, camera survives monthslong trip from Aruba to Florida

MIAMI (AP) — Paul Shultz was walking along the pier of a Key West marina when he saw what looked like a rotting tomato pounding against the rocks.

The Coast Guard investigator waded ankle-deep into the water to fish out the ocean rubbish: a bright red Nikon camera, small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. Its waterproof plastic case was covered with six months' worth of crusty sea growth, but the camera itself was almost pristine when he found it May 16.

 Keeping Butts out of the Water:

 ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 22, 2010 – Is a beach an ashtray? It may be surprising, but cigarette butts were the #1 most common item found on the world’s beaches at the 2009 International Coastal Cleanup. And there’s a good chance they all didn’t get there by careless sunbathers.

“When a cigarette butt is discarded at a marina, there is a fair chance it will find its way into the water,” said Susan Shingledecker, the BoatUS Foundation’s director of environmental programs.  

 Current Lake Lanier Water Level