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Published on
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Coast Guard is urging tourists to prioritize safety during boat trips as the country’s peak tourism season runs from December to June. Authorities have issued the following safety guidelines to help prevent accidents on rivers, lakes, and seas. Tourists and boat owners are advised to ensure all boats are equipped with adequate life jackets corresponding to the approved passenger capacity. Life jackets must be visible, easily accessible, undamaged, and properly fitted. Children should wear age-appropriate life jackets, not those designed for adults. Each boat must also carry at least one lifebuoy and rope in case a passenger accidentally falls overboard. Passengers are encouraged to verify that the boat has a valid navigation certificate, a document confirming the vessel has passed its annual technical inspection. “This document guarantees that the ship complies with all safety and navigation requirements as prescribed by law,” the Coast Guard said in a statement. Authorities recommend avoiding nighttime sailing unless the boat is equipped for such conditions and canceling trips during bad weather.
Both
crew members and passengers are
urged to
abstain from alcohol before and during the
trip. Alcohol consumption impairs
judgment, vision, and reaction time,
increasing the risk of accidents.
Passengers who suspect a crew member is
under the influence of alcohol should
report it immediately by calling 911 and
avoid boarding the vessel.
When
using personal watercraft, such as Jet
Skis or water scooters,
all riders must wear life jackets.
Operating a personal watercraft is
prohibited for individuals under 16 in
Costa Rica.
“These
recommendations are
intended to
reduce risks and ensure passenger safety
in an emergency,” authorities
noted.
Tourism
is a vital sector of Costa Rica’s
economy. As
of July 2024, over 1.7 million tourists
arrived by air, marking a 13.5% increase
compared to the same period in 2023.
The
country set a tourism record in 2023,
welcoming more than 2.4 million
visitors.
The
Costa Rica Coast Guard operates under the
Ministry of Public Security, overseeing
maritime security, search and rescue, and
law enforcement.
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