May 17, 2002 – For an easy and enjoyable immersion in boating safety aimed at young people as well as adults, just stop by the U.S. Coast Guard dock at King's Wharf anytime Saturday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have put together an exposition promoting good marine practices and demonstrating the rescue and law-enforcement capabilities of local and regional agencies. There will be everything from mock drug chases in the Charlotte Amalie harbor and helicopter rescue demonstrations to free hambugers, hot dogs and soft drinks.
A Coast Guard recruiter will be on hand to talk with young people about careers in that branch of the military service.
Other groups scheduled to have display tables set up are the St. Thomas-St. John chapter of the American Red Cross, the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, the National Park Service, St. Thomas Rescue, V.I. National Guard, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, V.I. Fire Service, the Planning and Natural Resources Department, the University of the Virgin Islands marine biology area, and the local Power Squadron.
Commercially oriented entities taking part with exhibits are Caribbean Inflatables, Coral World Marine Park, Offshore Marine and the V.I. Charteryacht League.
The Coast Guard dock will be cheek by jowl with watercraft: a Coast Guard cutter, a Planning and Natural Resources pursuit boat, two National Park Service chase boats, a U.S. Customs pursuit boat, a Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol boat, the Police Department Blue Lightning pursuit boat, a V.I. Search and Rescue boat from Tortola, a BVI Royal Marine Police chase boat and a lifeboat from a cruise ship in port. A Navy Seal team from San Juan also will be set up there, as will a 50-foot hospitality motoryacht for expo participants.
Land and air forces also will be represented. Parked in the immediate vicinity will be a Fire Service fire engine and rescue truck, a St. Thomas Rescue ambulance, a Police Department K-9 van and a National Guard Humvee and cannon. Air attractions, all from San Juan, include a Coast Guard helicopter with a rescue team, Navy and National Guard helicopters and a National Guard fixed-wing flyover.
The tentative schedule of events is as follows:
11 :15 a.m. — Fire Service exercise on the dock
11:30 a.m. – V.I. Search and Rescue first aid demonstration
Noon — Mock drug chase in the harbor
12:15 p.m. – Red Cross first aid demonstration
12:30 p.m. – Fire Service exercise on the dock
1 p.m. – Coast Guard helicopter rescue demonstration
1:30 p.m. V.I. Search and Rescue first aid demonstration
1:45 p.m. – Mock drug chase in the harbor
2 p.m. – National Guard helicopter demonstration
2:30 p.m. – Flares demonstration on the dock
2:45 p.m. – Mock drug chase in the harbor
3 p.m. – Navy Seals team exercise
3:30 p.m. – Navy helicopter rescue demonstration
4:15 p.m. – National Guard fixed wing flyover to close the event.
Throughout the day there will be children's activities and games. There also will be ongoing raffles to benefit St. Thomas Rescue of numerous prizes donated by local resorts, restaurants and jewelry stores, and a separate raffle of a Jet Ski to benefit the USO. The free hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks will be provided by the Planning and Natural Resources Department.

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