Local Mayor Conducts Vessel Safety Check
Article and photos submitted by William W. Garry, Flotilla 57, D5-SR, Virginia Beach, VA
| |
| Mayor Meyera Obendorf & Auxiliarist Mike Eberhardt |
Virginia Beach, VA. Mayor Meyera Obendorf celebrated National Safe Boating Week by performing a safety check on a Virginia Beach Maritime Police Boat on 17 May at the Lynnhaven (VA) Municipal Boat ramp.
Well, that is true, but she had some coaching help from Lynnhaven Flotilla 57, D5-SR, Commander Mike Eberhardt. Auxiliarist Eberhardt provided the necessary Safety Check Form 7012, checklist, and advice. To the relief of Virginia Beach Marine Police Sgt. Brent Burnet and Officer G. Yates, their craft passed the safety check and became eligible for a decal.
Mayor Obendorf issued a proclamation designating May 17 - 23 Safe Boating Week. She has a special relationship to the Coast Guard because her husband, Roger, is a retired USCG Reserve Captain. She drives a van with COGARD license plates.
The Mayor was also briefed about various Auxiliary missions and showed a special interest in the Waterway Watch program. This year the responsibility for disseminating the message of safe and responsible boating in this area was shared with the Virginia Beach Marine Police and the US Power Squadron. Flotilla 57 partnered with the other organizations’ training officers on how to conduct boat safety checks.
While the ceremonies were going on, Auxiliarists and Power Squadron members were busy performing safety checks on vessels ranging from a seagoing canoe to a 40 foot cigarette boat.
~DW