National Safe Boating Week, 2018

Proclamation 9750 of May 18, 2018

National Safe Boating Week, 2018

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As summer approaches, Americans across the country will
begin to enjoy time out on the water with their
families and friends. Whether fishing, watching
beautiful sunsets, learning how to navigate, or
continuing family traditions, boating promises fun and
lasting memories. Realizing the joy of boating,
however, requires that we follow safe boating
practices. During National Safe Boating Week, I urge
all Americans to prepare for boating activities by
becoming familiar with proper safety procedures.

Americans should take precautionary actions to ensure
that everyone makes it home unharmed after fun on the
water. Inspecting your boat thoroughly and
participating in a free vessel safety check offered
through the Coast Guard can help ensure both you and
your boat are ready for the water. A pre-departure
checklist can help remind you to monitor the weather
and bring required equipment, and filing a float plan
with a reliable person helps ensure that the Coast
Guard is notified if you do not return as planned.
Boaters should also wear life jackets and make sure
there is always someone onboard who is unimpaired and
capable of operating the boat. The Coast Guard and its
Federal, State, and local partners estimate that
avoiding alcohol and wearing a life jacket can prevent
more than 80 percent of boating fatalities.

In recognition of the importance of safe boating
practices, the Congress, by joint resolution approved
June 4, 1958 (36 U.S.C. 131), as amended, has
authorized and requested the President to proclaim
annually the 7-day period before Memorial Day weekend
as ``National Safe Boating Week.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 19
through May 25, 2018, as National Safe Boating Week. I
encourage all Americans who participate in boating
activities to observe this occasion by learning more
about safe boating practices and taking advantage of
boating safety education opportunities. I also
encourage the Governors of the States and Territories,
and appropriate officials of all units of government,
to join me in encouraging boating safety through events
and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.