National Safe Boating Week, 2020

Proclamation 10035 of May 15, 2020

National Safe Boating Week, 2020

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During National Safe Boating Week, I am proud to join
with the United States Coast Guard and its Federal,
State, and local partners in encouraging all Americans
to institute the safe boating practices necessary to
enjoy our Nation's waters responsibly. For more than 60
years, raising awareness of safe boating procedures has
helped reduce injuries and fatalities, even as the
number of Americans spending time out on the water has
continued to grow.

Boat operators can help reduce the number of water-
related accidents through proper preparation and
sensible precautions. A free vessel safety check
conducted by the United States Coast Guard is an
essential first step in ensuring a boat is ready for
navigation on the water. New boaters can take courses
to learn how they can ensure that everyone returns from
the water unharmed. Life jackets also remain
indispensable in preventing drowning, the most common
cause of boating fatalities. For this reason, every
boat needs to be equipped with proper life jackets for
everyone onboard, and they should be worn while on the
water. Additionally, individuals must never pilot a
boat while intoxicated, and passengers should moderate
their alcohol consumption as a precaution against
accidents. By taking the necessary steps, we can make
our Nation's waters even safer for all who enjoy them.

This week, I call upon all Americans to ensure that
they are prepared to have safe boating experiences.
Through preventative measures and responsible behavior,
we can help keep everyone out of harm's way while
engaging in boating activities on our Nation's
beautiful oceans, lakes, and rivers.

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 16
through May 22, 2020, 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 that align with the White House's
``Guidelines for Opening up America Again.''

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