Mangano Invites Residents To Attend Free Boating Safety Seminar At Garvies Point

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano encouraged residents this week to take advantage of a free boating safety course being held on July 21st at Garvies Point Museum. The four hour seminar, from 9 a.m. to noon, is being offered by 12-03 Flotilla Commander John Pitrowski and the 42 members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary unit in response to an increase in the number of boating accidents and recent fatalities.

County Executive Mangano stated, “Too many people take their boats out onto the water without proper preparation. The boating safety tips offered at this free course can help save lives by ensuring boaters are properly prepared before they leave the dock.”

The Flotilla offers a boating safety course twice annually at Garvies Point Museum. The course is prepared by the seasoned sailors and power boaters associated with the unit who will discuss such things as safety issues, situational awareness, boating responsibility and understanding your vessel. Stickers will be distributed to those attending these seminars to help educate the public that Channel 16 is the Emergency Distress Channel for boaters in trouble.

“There are so many things people don’t understand about boating. There needs to be more of an emphasis on safety and this seminar does just that,” added 12-03 Flotilla Commander John Pitrowski.

As the oldest Auxiliary Flotilla in the nation, the 12-03 provides services involving vessel safety checks, harbor patrols, safe boating courses, search and rescue, and marine environmental protection, working closely with the Glen Cove Harbor Patrol and the Nassau County Police Department Marine Bureau.