Get back to harbor safely

The men and women of the Coast Guard are no strangers to bad weather. It's not uncommon for storms, winds and waves to swamp or disable boats both big and small.

Boaters need to pay attention to the weather, and small craft advisories in order to prepare for gales and storms. Still boaters, like many of us on land, tend to ignore the weather warnings until it's too late.

Here are some common sense tips for your time on the water:

• Wear your life jacket. It can't help if you don't wear it.
• Watch the weather. if a storm is threatening head back to harbor.
• Stay sober.  Piloting a boat, particularly in a storm, requires good judgment.