Letter: Coast Guard favors life jackets

Regarding "Torn about life jackets" [Letters, Nov. 20], given the recent debate in Newsday about whether life jackets should be worn or not, the U.S. Coast Guard forces would like to be on record as saying, "YES!" Wearing a life jacket, like a seat belt, is simple common sense.

The data are overwhelmingly in favor of wearing a life jacket. Recent data note that if 16 boaters with life jackets go into the water, 15 come out. Conversely, if 16 go in without life jackets, only one comes out.

Statistically within the past few years, on an "average day," members of the U.S. Coast Guard saved 15 lives, rescued 117 people in distress and responded to 90 search and rescue calls. Since its founding in 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has saved over 1 million lives.

"Semper Paratus" is the Coast Guard's motto; it means "always ready," and we are. When we get under way in response to a distress call, we are hoping that the distressed boaters have their life jackets on, because it gives them a better chance of being alive when we arrive on scene.