First and Foremost - US Coast Guard Auxiliary, First District ...

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By Dee Thompson, DSO-PA
On May 20 th U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore Hal
Marschall of the First Coast Guard District Southern Region
was given the honor of ringing the opening bell of the
NASDAQ in New York City. This event also represented
the official Coast Guard Auxiliary kick-off for National
Safe Boating Week that spans from May 21 st to May 27 th .
Commodore Marschall was accompanied by several Auxiliary
members and his wife Maura at this NASDAQ event,
the mission was to spread the word to the public regarding
the importance of life jackets. The Commodore explained,
“Our Recreational Boating Safety mission is to ensure the
public has a safe, secure and enjoyable recreational boating
experience; by implementing programs that minimize
loss of life, personal injury, and property damage; while
cooperating with environmental and national security efforts.”
The Commodore noted several annual statistics including
the fact that of eighteen children under age thirteen who
lost their lives while boating, 56% of those children who
drowned were not wearing life jackets.
NASDAQ had extraordinary technology that enabled them
to film the live event and simultaneously play it real time,
on the gigantic NASDAQ tower outside on Times Square;
this outside scene was also visible on a special screen inside
that allowed the Auxiliary members to watch themselves
“live” throughout the event.
Commodore Hal Marschall presents his Boating
Safety speech during live telecast at NASDAQ
The day was topped off by a “Ready Set
Inflate” life jacket demonstration to jumpstart
Safe Boating Week. Commodore Hal
Marschall reinforced the theme of the day
with the words “be ready, be safe, and
have fun during the boating season.”
Commodore Hal Marschall and his wife Maura
with Auxiliary team and David Wicks VP
NASDAQ, during live NASDAQ telecast.
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