Wear your life jacket for safe summer boating fun

From the Sunshine State’s lakes, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the high seas, Floridians love to go boating, and this summer the North American Safe Boating Campaign administered by the U.S. Coast Guard wants everyone to enjoy safe boating by always wearing their life jackets. Visit SafeBoatingCampaign.com for more information, and take the following pledge to “Wear it!” every time you go out on the water.

I pledge to boat safely each and every time I go out on the water, keeping myself, my family, my friends and fellow boaters from harm's way. I will always boat responsibly by:

• Wearing my life jacket and ensuring that everyone on board wears their life jacket (when in a small boat, or operating in rough water or threatening weather conditions)


• Remaining sober and alert - remembering that the use of alcohol contributes to accidents on the water


• Staying in control of my craft and respecting the right of others enjoying the waterways


• Knowing and obeying navigation rules, operating at a safe speed and maintaining a proper lookout

Last year, Florida had the most boating deaths of any state in the country. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, nearly 90% of those drowning in boating related accidents were not wearing life jackets. Take the pledge to Wear It, and go online to SafeBoatingCampaign.com to enter your safe boating story for the chance to win a summer fun package including a life jacket, beach towel and Flip Mini HD camcorder.