Boaters Rescued off Dana Point

Dana Point (myFOXla.com) - A family boating about five miles off Dana Point had to be rescued by Orange County Sheriff's deputies when the boat they were in started taking on water Friday afternoon.

Nobody was hurt... and the boat's being repaired.

It just goes to reinforce Coast Guard advisories about boating safety, which are detailed below.

You can watch Al Naipo's report in the video player.

Earlier in the day, the Coast Guard asked the boating public to celebrate responsibly, watch the weather and not misuse flares as fireworks as thousands of boaters take to the waterways for the Fourth of July.

Given the heavy boat traffic, firing flares in a non-emergency situation could delay the Coast Guard's response to a real emergency.

Using flares in the absence of an emergency can result in a felony charge, punishable by up to six years in prison, $250,000 in fines and reimbursement of all costs incurred by the Coast Guard as a result of the incident.

It is also illegal to sell, use or store fireworks within 100 feet of where gasoline or other flammable liquids are stored or dispensed, Coast Guard officials warned.

Authorities also reminded boaters of the dangers of drinking and boating. Intoxicated boaters can face both federal and state charges, with penalties of up to one year in prison and $100,000 in fines.

Those on the water are encouraged to always wear a life jacket, have a working VHF-FM radio and electronic position-indicating radio beacon on board and to let someone know their plans for the day.

Weather conditions can change quickly, especially during summer months. The National Weather Service broadcasts marine weather forecasts regularly on VHF marine radio.

Simple precautions can save lives, the Coast Guard urged. Additional safety information can be found at www.uscgboating.org .