Gov. Riley Proclaims May 22 - 28 "Safe Boating Week"

Gov. Bob Riley issued a proclamation promoting safe boating practices today at 10 a.m. on the front steps of the State Capitol.

During the ceremony Riley encouraged all Alabamians to wear a life jacket while boating the many lakes and rivers in the state. After his speech, several Alabama Marine Police officers joined Gov. Riley in a demonstration of how to operate inflatable life jackets.

According to John T. Jenkins, Director of Marine Police for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources wearing a life jacket is one of the easiest and best ways to save a life while on the water. "In Alabama most of the boating fatalities are the result of capsizing or falling overboard where people actually end up in the water without a life jacket on,” Jenkins said. “Most of these boating-related deaths could be prevented if the person had just worn their life jacket.”