HomeMy WebLinkAbout13-066RESOLUTION NO. 13-066
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF MAY 18-24, 2013 AS
"NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK" IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has
made the following determinations:
1. Water related recreational activities are vital elements in the lives of Florida's
citizens, and the State's 8,426 miles of saltwater tidal coastline, over 3 million acres
of inland lakes and 1,700 miles of rivers and streams provide for many of the needed
outlets for recreation and relaxation.
2. Recreational boating is fun and enjoyable and Floridians are fortunate to have
sufficient resources to accommodate the wide variety of pleasure boating demands.
3. Our waterways can become crowded at times and be a place of chaos and
confusion. While being a marvelous source of recreation, boating, to the unprepared,
can be a risky sport.
4. On average, 700 people die each year in boating-related accidents in the United
States and nearly 70% of these are fatalities caused by drowning. The vast majority
of these accidents are caused by human error or poor judgment and not by the boat,
equipment, or environmental factors.
5. A significant number of boaters who lose their lives by drowning each year would
be alive today had they worn their life jackets. It is a simple task that has the
potential to reduce terrible loss in lives. Modern life jackets are more comfortable,
more attractive and more wearable than styles of years past and deserve a fresh look
by today's boating public.
6. Knowledge and skills are important in reducing human error and improving
judgment. If people are aware of the risk, they are likely to take the precautionary
measures to protect themselves, their friends, and family.
7. We must continue to spread the message of boating safety not only during
National Safe Boating Week, but also throughout the entire year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners
of St. Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board supports the goals of the North American Safe Boating
Campaign and does hereby proclaim the week of May 18-24, 2013 as "NATIONAL
SAFE BOATING WEEK" in St. Lucie County, Florida.
2. This Board urges the citizens of St. Lucie County who boat to "WEAR IT"
and practice safe boating habits.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 2013.
ATT T: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
.11E IA
E E - - _ " = _ r~ CHAIRMAN
U _ ~ -_
.- ROVED1IAS TOO (~ & CORRECTNESS:
~„~ ~ r, ,.;~~
COUNTY ATTAOR'NEY