NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

May 11, 1998

CONTACT: Capt. Paul Ouellette 850-488-6257

BOATING SAFETY WEEK; WEAR A LIFE JACKET

"Boat Smart from the Start; Wear Your Life Jacket," is the theme for this year’s National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) Law Enforcement Division gears up for the nationwide safe boating campaign every year before Memorial Day weekend.

To promote life jacket use, Pennzoil Products Co. teamed up with the FWC by donating 2,000 T-shirts to be given away to children who wear life jackets during the event. The T-shirts will bear the Pennzoil Marine (TM) and the FWC logos and the slogan, "I got caught wearing my life jacket." The idea is to reinforce safe boating practices with a positive reward. This initiative was spearheaded by Pennzoil as part of its Responsible Outdoor Education (TM) campaign.

"Fatalities in Florida would decrease if people would wear life jackets," Capt. Paul Ouellette, the FWC’s boating safety coordinator, said. "Sixty-seven people died last year in boating accidents; 53 were not wearing personal floatation devices (PFDs). The leading cause of death was drowning. Many boaters think to have a life jacket close by is safe enough.

However, putting a life jacket on in the water is not easy, especially if you’re knocked unconscious."

Other boating safety issues include boating while under the influence of alcohol (BUI) or drugs and boating education, Ouellette said.

Florida has 755,278 registered recreational vessels. Last year, there were 1,251 reported boating accidents, with 51 percent of the fatalities alcohol or drug related, according to the FWC 1997 Boating Safety Statistical Report.

"To boat smart from the start requires education and common sense, like wearing a life jacket anytime a vessel is under way, knowing the rules of navigation and boat operator instruction," Ouellette said. "Carelessness and inexperience are the primary causes of nearly all boating accidents."

Ouellette said he hopes the 1998 Safe Boating Campaign will generate a safe boating summer throughout Florida. Boating classes are offered throughout the state, so you can boat smart from the start. Check with your regional FWC office for locations and dates.