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The number one goal of boating safety experts is: "Save lives!"
Memorial Day, on May 27, kicks-off the state's summer boating season when thousands of Ohioans will be taking to the water. To help boaters focus on safety, join with us in observing National Safe Boating Week, May 18 through 24.
Most Ohio boaters play safely, but each year a few accidentally lose their lives while boating.
Statistics show that 80 to 85 percent of all boating fatality victims were not wearing or properly wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. In Ohio last year, 19 people lost their lives in 17 separate boating accidents. Of those 19 fatalities, 15 were not wearing their life jackets.
Ohio law requires all people who water ski or operate a personal watercraft to wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. State law also requires children under the age of 10 to wear a life jacket when aboard a boat less than 18 feet long.
For everyone else, wearing a life jacket is optional.
But remember, the goal is to continue to safely enjoy recreational boating and fishing on Ohio's waters. Wearing a life jacket can make a difference.
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