If you're planning on boating anywhere from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, the Coast Guard is making it easy to check on port closures and other restrictions.

The USCG now has a toll-free hotline available to provide the latest information on local waterways, ports and restrictions.

The Coast Guard Maritime Safety Line – at 800- 682-1796 – has information from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Safety Line includes five regions: the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes and the Midwest rivers.

Puerto Rico has its own information line, with information on 22 ports. It is 787-706- 2415.

If you plan to go boating on the Pacific Coast, Alaska or Hawaii, you'll have to check with your local Coast Guard offices. You can go to the USGC website for phone numbers.