Life jacket safety is theme of 2009 Safe Boating Week
The National Safe Boating Council and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary of Fort Myers Beach is promoting boating safety and life jacket safety by encouraging boaters to “Wear It!” during National Safe Boating Week May 16-22.
Boating in Estero Bay, San Carlos Bay and surrounding waterways is a safe and fun recreational activity enjoyed by thousands every year. Lee County is one of the best places in Florida to enjoy boating and has nearly 50,000 registered boats. Unfortunately accidents do happen in our area.
Florida leads the nation with between 65 and 80 fatal boating accidents each year. In 2007, Florida led the nation in fatal boating accidents with Lee County consistently ranking in the top 10 counties for boat wrecks.
The leading cause of death in boating accidents in Florida was drowning. Four out of five people who died in boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket. The simple act of wearing your life jacket could have produced very different outcomes. Life jackets that are stowed in a compartment are useless.
Accidents happed without warning and the shock of being thrown from your boat produces confusion, disorientation and even unconsciousness. Wearing a Coast Guard approved life jacket is designed to keep an unconscious victim face up. Learn more about the many new choices for life jackets that are aviable.
Boating safety experts of the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be demonstrating personal floatation devices and other safety equipment at various locations. On Saturday May 16th they will be at the Publix Grocery Store at Sanibel Beach Place, 20321 Summerlin Road; on Monday May 18th at the Publix Grocery Store at Summerlin Crossing, 15880 Summerlin Rd; and on Wednesday at the West Marine 17220 San Carlos Blvd. Bring your safe boating questions together with your shopping list and learn about new items that are on the market that can possibly save your life.
Known as “America’s Volunteer Lifesavers” the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was established by Congress in 1939 to assist the Coast Guard in promoting boating safety. It boasts more than 35,000 members from all walks of life who receive special training so that they may be a functional part of Coast Guard Forces. Auxiliarists assist the Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such as public education, vessel safety checks, safety patrols, search and rescue, maritime security and environmental protection and Coast Guard Academy introduction programs for youth. To learn more out the Fort Myers Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary visit us online at http://www.Aux91FMB.org.