Coast Guard launches paddlesports safety effort

DETROIT (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a Great Lakes safe boating awareness effort focused on paddlesports.

The Coast Guard Ninth District's "Paddles Up Great Lakes" campaign begins Labor Day weekend and runs through Sept. 10.

The Coast Guard says that paddlesports such as canoeing and kayaking are increasingly popular, but some people take to the water with little or no awareness of needed safety equipment or safe paddling practices.

Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel, along with some federal, state and local participants, will pass out safety and education information as well as self-adhesive identification stickers for boats.

The stickers can help marine patrol and rescue workers when a boat is found empty and adrift on the water.

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