The U.S. Coast Guard is offering safety tips to boaters in the wake of an accident off Sandy Hook coast and the one that killed Florida Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.

The Sandy Hook accident happened Sunday night. Eight people were rescued from a burning boat by a good Samaritan. The accident that claimed the life of Fernandez and two other men happened when their boat struck a jetty in Miami.

Jeremy Bradley, of the U.S. Coast Guard Sandy Hook station, says boaters must maintain safe speeds and proceed with extra caution when it's dark.

Having a good working radio is key. Boats can talk directly with the Coast Guard on channel 16. Bradley says being able to communicate with other boaters is important.

 

Bradley says boaters should also carry a cellphone as backup, adding that satellite phones are even better. He says there should always be life preservers, fire extinguishers, flares for day and night, oars for smaller boats and life rings.