WASHINGTON - Pepco reminds all boaters and their passengers to be alert and stay alive! Underwater cables and overhead power lines can pose a potentially life-threatening situation to unprepared boaters.

"Boat masts, spars, outriggers and antennas that extend into the air, or are raised into the air, can contact power lines and cause serious injury," said Thomas Graham, President, Pepco Region. "Whether you're moving your boat through a marina or loading supplies at a bait and tackle store, be aware of overhead power lines and underwater cables."

Pepco offers boaters the following safety tips:

· Avoid contact with overhead electrical wires by checking the clearance before raising or lowering the mast.

· Don't haul or sail a boat unless there is at least 10 feet of clearance between the highest point of the boat and the lowest point of the power line.

· Consider tides when determining clearances. Low tide clearances may be inadequate at high tide.

· Keep all drying sails and sheet lines from blowing into power lines.

· Remove or lower antennas or flags from large cruise vessels and sailboat hulls before transporting boats over land. Know the total height of the trailer and boat with and without the mast up.

· Be careful when pulling a sailboat onto the beach or when docking between waterways. Always look for overhead power lines, and when anchoring, be aware of underwater cables.

· Watch out for overhead electrical wires when removing any boat from the water. Ask another person to direct you so that you can safely clear the power lines.

You can obtain more safety information by visiting pepco.com.

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Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 778,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.