NORFOLK
The advice of officials charged with keeping Harborfest visitors, particularly boaters, safe this weekend could be summed up like this: Follow the rules; stay out of the way of the Parade of Sail; have fun.
More than 200 safety and security personnel from about a dozen agencies - including police and fire departments from local cities and Coast Guard crews from as far as Florida and Louisiana - will be on hand during the Friday-to-Sunday festival, officials said.
They're expecting more than the usual 200,000 to 300,000 visitors, given the confluence of the festival, Friday's federal Fourth of July holiday, the reopening of a renovated Town Point Park, a grand weather forecast, lower gas prices - you name it.
So Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Mac Sumner reminded boat owners that it is their responsibility to follow safety rules and laws. The Guard will enforce a safety buffer around the Parade of Sail, scheduled to reach the downtown waterfront at noon Friday, and fireworks barges each night.
Lighting flares when not in distress, however celebratory, is a crime, he said. Swimming in the dark around moored boats with their engines, lines and anchors just isn't very smart.
Jerry Rogoff of the Coast Guard Auxiliary ran through the on-boat must-haves: wearable life jackets for each person on board - children 12 and younger must wear them whenever on deck; a throwable life preserver; day and night flares; one or more fire extinguishers, depending on boat size; lights, horn or whistle. The auxiliary offers free boat inspections, he added.
"We want everyone to get in safely," said James Scruggs, maritime manager of Norfolk Festevents, which produces Harborfest, "and out the same way."
Matthew Bowers, (757) 222-3893, matthew.bowers@pilotonline.com
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Safety
Yes, we now shall live lives in total safety. Any risks associated with life must be met with rules and regulations and if profitable fines and infractions. Safety shall be our constant motive and we shall surrender all our rights in support and complete safety compliance. Your rights to maintain and utilize common sense are hereby removed and will be delegated as your local government sees need to reissue. Enjoy your holiday as safely as you can and remember if you are having fun its probably not safe. Safety will be provided everywhere except for waterside parking lot, anywhere near scope and or the vicinity of waterside.
number one priority
You are not John Wayne and this is not the wild west so leave your guns at home even if you do need to prove to someone you are "Mr. Macho Man".
Number one priorty!
Make sure you bring your side arm in open carry position and drive the liberals that run the City of Norfolk crazy!! You might even can make a few bucks for the enjoyment.