Mystic — As part of its Safety on Sea and Shore Weekend on May 30 and 31, Mystic Seaport will honors the work of present-day emergency personnel, offering them free admission with proper identification and their families members the discounted group admission rate.

As part of Connecticut’s Coast Guard Summer, the museum is also collaborating with the USCG Auxiliary to promote and recognize the important work the service provides and celebrating the people, methods, and vehicles involved in maritime rescues during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

A wide array of hands-on activities and demonstrations are planned including visits by the Old Mystic Fire Department’s Dive Rescue Team, the Mystic Fire Department’s fireboat, the state Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Boating Division, which will demonstrate the use of emergency flare guns and safety in cold water, and the United States Power Squadron which will demonstrate how to paddle safely when operating kayaks and canoes. There will also be hands-on activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day including a bucket brigade, a man-overboard drill, and a breeches buoy rescue demonstration; historic apparatus on display including antique fire engines; and rescue animal demonstrations by the Newfoundland Club of New England.