May 16, 2006 – Have you ever wondered just what those sparkling white-and-red U. S. Coast Guard cutters look like on the inside? This Saturday you can get a full tour of a 110-foot USCG cutter – and that's not all.
As the Coast Guard celebrates the kickoff of National Safe Boating Week, you can also tour U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement pursuit boats, the National Park Service chase boat and a 47-foot Coast Guard rescue/pursuit boat.
That's just the beginning of the day's activities. While munching on a free hot dog or hamburger, you can get a close-up view of helicopter rescue demonstrations and "good guy bad guy" romps around the harbor using the chase boats.
The highlight of these demonstrations this year is a Blackhawk helicopter from the National Guard and low-level flybys of the Coast Guard Falcon jet aircraft.
This Saturday is also Armed Forces Day, so it's an opportunity to say thanks to the men and women who protect our country, said Bob Armstrong, USCG Auxiliary public affairs officer in a release.
Last year more than 1,700 visitors attended the event. For the Source's up-close and personal report of that day's dramatic rescue at sea and a high-speed boat chase, see "Coast Guard Shows Its Stuff".
The day will feature more than 20 displays of marine safety equipment, CPR demonstrations by the American Red Cross, demonstrations by the V. I. Fire Department, and environmental displays from Coral World and the University of the Virgin Islands.
A daylong raffle will award around 100 prizes from local merchants, hotels, restaurants, airlines and cruise lines. Proceeds from the raffle will help provide the Coast Guard Auxiliary with marine search and rescue equipment and educational material for boating safety classes.
And there's music and entertainment by the V.I. National Guard band, drill teams from local high schools and steel pan bands.
The event starts at 9 a.m. at the Coast Guard dock and runs until1:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Armstrong at 776-4673 (cell), 513-7376 (fax) or via e-mail.
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