National Safe Boating Week 2006 - Wear It!

National Safe Boating Week 2006 - Wear It!

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 19, 2006) - The Coast Guard's National Safe Boating week begins May 20 - 26, and Coast Guardsmen from Station Mayport, Fla., will be on hand to discuss the importance of boating safety with media at Station Mayport.With approximately 700 people drowning each year from recreational boating accidents, it is imperative for you to wear your life jacket at all times while you are on the water. Life jackets are no longer the orange, hot and bulky vests that are commonly associated with on the water safety gear. New innovations and developments in life jackets have produced a smaller, sleeker, and much more comfortable version of a life jacket, leaving you with no reason not to WEAR IT!!

Much like a helmet to a biker or skate boarder, life jackets are an essential part of your boating safety equipment and should be worn at all times while on the water. In 2004 of the 676 recreational boating fatalities, 90% of those victims not wearing their life jackets.

Accidents can happen at an alarming speed anyplace or anytime you are on the water. Although many boaters stow life jackets on their boat, very few choose to wear it. There just isn't time to grab a life jacket and put it on properly before you are in the water.

If you are faced with a strong current or unfavorable weather conditions you will not only have trouble making sure you are safe and secure in your life jacket, but you will be unable to help your friends, relatives, children or passengers that have accompanied you in your boat.

Wearing your life jacket will allow you to be safe in case of an accident and will also allow you the ability to assist others that may be in danger

By practicing this simple step you can save your life as well as the lives of the people boating with you.

Other important boating safety tips include filing a float plan to let someone now where you are going and when you plan to return, having a VHF marine radio aboard your vessel, refraining from drinking and boating, taking a vessel safety course offered by the local Coast Guard auxiliary, operating within limits of your vessel and your own skill level and heeding to weather watches and warnings.

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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.

Source: U.S. Coast Guard