HomeMy WebLinkAboutcocc_proclamation_national_safe_boating_week_20190518-25[CITY SEAL] OFFICIAL
PROCLAMATION
CITY OF
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the recreational boating season is approaching its maximum activity, Florida
leads the nation in registered vessels with approximately 1 million and with over 22 million boaters
using and enjoying Florida's beautiful waterways annually; and
WHEREAS, approximately 650 boaters die each year, with Florida leading the nation in
annual boating accidents and deaths, the leading cause of death, at 84.5%, being drowning even
with "strong swimmers" and 70% of operators involved in accidents having no formal boater
education; and
WHEREAS, the National Safe Boating Council and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is
kicking off its 2019 Wear It! Safe Boating Campaign to educate the boating community about
wearing life jackets, taking the "About Boating Safely" course, having their boats receive a Safety
Examination for the required equipment and promoting other safe boating practices; and
WHEREAS, Brevard County has a multitude of organizations involved in helping to
educate the public, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the United States Sail & Power Squadrons and the
Brevard County Sheriff's Office Agriculture and Marine Unit who all emphasize getting a Vessel
Safety Check, displaying the Safety Seal, always wearing a life jacket, and attending the classroom
version of About Boating Safely to attain their Florida Boating License; and
WHEREAS, those who have taken the classroom version of "About Boating Safely", given
by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadrons, have less than 1.9 % fatality rate; and
WHEREAS, these organizations offer educational opportunities to the public, not only
during Safe Boating Week, but throughout the year, using methods including, but not limited to,
vessel inspections, safe boating classes, hands-on training, knot tying, GPS classes, flare use,
boating guide pamphlets, fire extinguisher seminars, educational exhibits at marina openings and
boating shows, classroom presentations and in -the -water life jacket demonstrations.
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Robert Hoog, Mayor of the City of Cape Canaveral, Brevard
County, Florida, do hereby proclaim the week of May 18-25, 2019 as
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
and urge all boaters to wear life jackets, learn more about safe boating practices, always act
responsibly while on or near the water and take a safe boating class.
Signed and Sealed this 14th Day of May, 2019
[Robert E. Hoog] Mayor
[EMBOSSED CITY SEAL]