Coast Guard, Area Leaders Unite To Raise Boating Safety Awareness

The mayors of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Atlantic Beach, Fla., and Neptune Beach, Fla., signed a Proclamation of City Mayors at the Jacksonville Beach City Hall Monday morning May 11, 2009 to declare May 16 through May 22 National Safe Boating Week and begin a year-round effort to encourage safe boating. John Peyton, mayor of Jacksonville, had already signed the proclamation. PA3 HULME

The mayors of Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Fla., and Neptune Beach, Fla., signed the proclamation to declare May 16 through May 22 National Safe Boating Week and begin a year-round effort to encourage safe boating. John Peyton, mayor of Jacksonville, had already signed the proclamation.

The Coast Guard and local community officials are teaming up to inform the public of the deadly risks involved with unsafe boating practices, and the importance of wearing a life jacket when participating in any water activity.

Approximately 700 people in the U.S. die every year in boating related accidents. A majority of the accidents are caused by poor judgment and human error, not equipment failure or weather conditions. Wearing a life jacket greatly increases your chance of survival in case of emergency.