Coast Guard's gift ideas for 12 nautical days of Christmas

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard, as a public service to holiday gift shoppers, announced Monday its recommended gift ideas for 12 nautical days of Christmas. 

"Nothing says 'I love you' to a mariner like the gift of a marine GPS navigation system, a Coast Guard approved life jacket, boating safety course or 406 MHz electronic position indicating radio beacon," said Lt. Cmdr. Chris O'Neil, the Coast Guard's chief of media relations.  "Regardless of the occasion or holiday, the gifts we recommend this year can save a loved one's life, making them the perfect gift this season, or throughout the year.  Diamonds are pretty, and big-screen, high-definition televisions are great for watching the big game, but they won't help you prevent a boating accident, or survive after you've been in one."

Among the Coast Guard's recommended nautical gifts are:

• A Marine GPS navigation system
• A 406 MHz EPIRB (make sure you register it after purchase, or rescuers may be delayed in reaching you!)
• A Coast Guard-approved life jacket (because they float, you don't...)
• A handheld VHF-FM radio
• A Boating Safety Course (boater education saves lives -- it's a fact)
• Vessel Safety Check (VSC)  from the Coast Guard Auxiliary (it's free!)
• A Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher
• A first aid kit in a watertight container 
• A seamanship book
• Nautical charts for the areas your favorite mariner frequents
• A signaling kit
• A life raft with a survival kit

Some of the most valuable gifts don't cost anything but time, such as scheduling a free vessel safety check with your local Coast Guard Auxiliary.  For more information on scheduling a free vessel safety check visit www.safetyseal.net.  To find a boating safety course in your area visit http://www.aboutboatingsafely.com/.

From the Coast Guard family to yours, Happy Holidays!