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OSWEGO -- The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron are teaming up with the H. L. White Maritime Museum and other agencies here to teach boating safety and offer vessel safety checks during the museum’s waterfront open house on Saturday, May 20.

The efforts help kick off National Safe Boating Week, May 20 to 26.

The open house, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., features:

• Tours of the museum.
• A dockside dragon boat.
  
• Boating and paddle safety displays by the Power Squadron and Coast Guard Auxiliary.
• Power Squadron “Boating Safety Virtual Trainer” which allows users to simulate handling a boat (much like a flight simulator).
• Display of kayaks and related safety gear, sponsored by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and American Canoe Association.
• Oswego Fire Department display and “Wear It! Oswego” lifejacket campaign.
• Sea Scouts exhibit.
• Coast Guard Auxiliary’s mascot, Coastie, greeting children and offering safety tips.

In addition, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering free vessel safety checks at Wrights Landing Marina. “We will have a number of vessel safety equipment experts on hand to help the boating public have fun-filled and safe outings on the water,” noted Gene Little, a branch chief with the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s paddlecraft program.

 The waterfront festivities also feature:

• Search and rescue demonstrations by Coast Guard Station Oswego.
• Flare demonstrations by the Sodus Bay Maritime Captains' Association.
• Boat trips to Oswego Lighthouse.

 The National Safe Boating Week kick-off event is a partnership of the Maritime Museum, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Oswego Expeditions, Oswego Dragon Boat Club, Oswego Police and Fire Departments, the U.S. Power Squadron and the Sodus Bay Maritime Captains' Association.