Coast Guard readies for hectic July Fourth

SOUTHWEST HARBOR – While most Mainers are making plans for a relaxing and fun Fourth of July holiday next week, the U.S. Coast Guard is preparing for one of its busiest days of the year.

The single biggest problem for the Coast Guard on July Fourth is the multiple emergency flares people will set off in the name of fun, according to Ensign Gabe Somma, spokesman for Group Southwest Harbor.

Setting off flares uses up precious Coast Guard resources and time, just as fireworks displays are starting up and boats are congregating so people can watch the light shows from the water.

Somma said while the flares on July Fourth are usually false alarms, the Coast Guard still must respond and make sure there isn’t a true maritime emergency.

“They think it’s just for fun,” he said about those people who set off the flares. “They don’t realize how that triggers an immediate response from the Coast Guard and activates our search-and-rescue system.”

Somma said fireworks will fly in eight communities, according to permits filed with the Southwest Harbor Coast Guard headquarters. The Coast Guard will take a special interest in Bangor’s holiday celebration because of the number of boats that will fill the Penobscot River and the anticipated number of spectators.

The Coast Guard cutters Tackle and Thunderbay will be docked in Bangor for public tours throughout the day, he said.

The Coast Guard will be out in full force, Somma said, with backup guardsmen ready to relieve regular crews if they get tired and auxiliary guardsmen who will patrol some of the smaller July Fourth events.

“They are a great asset for the Coast Guard,” Somma said of the auxiliary guardsmen. “They go above and beyond. They really are a great group of volunteers.”

Fireworks shows will be held in Cutler, Camden, Swan’s Island, Bar Harbor, Stonington, Castine, Mount Desert and Jonesport, home of the World’s Fastest Lobster Boat Race.

Somma would not say how many guardsmen will be on duty or where they will be patrolling.

Group Southwest Harbor is one of only two Coast Guard groups in Maine. More than 200 women and men are stationed with the group, which covers an area stretching from Rockland to Jonesport.

Lt. Stephanie Burns, assistant operations officer for the group, said she hopes people will use utmost care in their boats over the holiday weekend, including leaving alcohol on shore.

“Since July Fourth is definitely one of the busiest days for the boating public during the summer, I would urge people to make sure they take all safety precautions before they get under way in their boats,” she said.

“That includes making sure they are not drinking. We will be on the lookout for people who are boating while they are intoxicated,” she said.

Burns said boaters should provide basic safety for themselves and their passengers by packing enough life jackets and bringing along a VHF radio and cell phone.

She said the Coast Guard recommends that boaters do not rely solely on cell phones.

“And flares are definitely something they want to have on board, but they should know they shouldn’t be shooting off flares for fun,” she said.

“They should just rely on them for an emergency.”