NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK, 2007
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK, 2007
In recognition of the importance of safe boating practices, the Congress, by joint resolution approved June 4, 1958 (36 U.S.C. 131), as amended, has authorized and requested the President to proclaim annually the 7-day period prior to Memorial Day weekend as "National Safe Boating Week."
Two years after passage of the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, 1,754 recreational boating fatalities were reported, on a base of approximately 6 million recreational vessels registered. Since then, the number of registered boats has grown by over 100 percent, yet reported boating fatalities have declined to approximately 750-800 each year.
The coordinated efforts over the past 35 years of the Federal Government, including the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, States and local communities, and numerous recreational boating organizations, have made the Recreational Boating Safety Program a success.
The year 2007 marks the 36th anniversary of the enactment of the Federal Boat Safety Act. This legislation has been successful in improving boating safety and fostering greater use and enjoyment of our rivers, lakes, bays, and waters. By encouraging the participation of States, local communities, industry, and the boating public, new generations of Americans have benefited from the development of comprehensive boating safety programs.
However, despite the success of these programs, too many boaters still die on our Nation's waters. Recreational boating remains second only to highways in transportation-related fatalities. Some boaters lack basic boating safety knowledge and fail to adequately prepare or exercise caution when boating. Though recent accident statistics show improvement in many categories, nearly 70 percent of all recreational boating victims die by drowning. Nearly 90 percent of these drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Most of those lives could have been saved if the victims had simply worn their life jackets.
Water safety organizations across the country and throughout the US territories see education as the key to reducing fatalities. Please help these partner organizations attain their goals by encouraging all boaters to take a safe boating course, learn the rules of the road and learn how to return to their home port safe and sound.
The Boating Safety Week Expo in Hawaii is scheduled for May 19, 2007 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
at the Keehi Small Boat Harbor, 4 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu.
The event is free and open to the public
Print a Safe Boating Week Expo Flier
