In anticipation of a very active Easter holiday period, the Cayman Islands Coast Guard (CICG) is encouraging the community to exercise caution and good judgement over the Easter Holidays.

It should be noted that current weather projections indicate that the Cayman Islands will be under a small craft warning due to deteriorating sea condition as of Friday evening.

Boaters are strongly advised to refrain from putting themselves and their passengers in danger by attempting to go out while there is a small craft warning in place, and to monitor local weather updates on either the Cayman Islands National Weather Service using the following link:

http://www.weather.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/nwshome/forecasthome

Persons wishing to operate their vessel within the more protected area of the North Sound are reminded to:

• Thoroughly check your boat to ensure they are seaworthy, fully fuelled, and engines are fully operational before setting off at sea.
• Ensure that the vessel is equipped with an emergency engine kill switch and that it is attached to the operator’s wrist/waist at all times.
• Ensure that each person onboard is in possession of a life vest and is wearing it while the vessel is moving.
• Have a functioning Marine VHF Radio onboard and test it prior to leaving shore.
• Ensure that there is at least one cell phone onboard that is fully charged and inside of a Ziploc bag to protect it from getting wet and becoming inoperable.
• Ensure that you have a mirror onboard that can be used to signal aircraft flying overhead in event of emergency.
• Ensure that you have flares onboard and know how to properly use them to signal distress in event of emergency.
• Refrain from operating a vessel if you have been drinking alcohol.

 Here are some other water safety tips that you should follow over the holiday weekend: 

• Be aware of rough seas along the coastline and the strong under currents that comes as a result
• Do NOT go into the water alone if you are a weak swimmer.
• If you are a weak swimmer ALWAYS wear a flotation device.
• Never swim alone.