U.S. Coast Guard issues maritime safety warnings for Pacific Northwest and San Francisco

The U.S. Coast Guard is issuing safety warnings and preparedness guidance for mariners and coastal visitors across the Pacific Northwest and San Francisco Bay. In the Pacific Northwest, officials are urging commercial and recreational boaters to prepare for heavy weather season by wearing life jackets, checking bar conditions, filing float plans, and monitoring weather forecasts. Coastal residents and hikers are also cautioned to watch for sneaker waves and waterlogged drift logs.

In San Francisco, the Coast Guard is increasing patrols and conducting safety checks ahead of Fleet Week. Crews will enforce restricted areas and ensure boaters have required equipment, such as life jackets and sound-producing devices. Officials noted that the San Francisco sector is one of the busiest for search-and-rescue operations due to rapidly changing tides, currents, and weather conditions. Statistics cited by the Coast Guard indicate that 87% of drowning victims in 2024 were not wearing life jackets in cases where use was known.