Officials Remind About Life Jacket Use As Part Of Safe Boating Week

BOSTON (AP) — State and federal officials are marking the National Safe Boating Week by reminding Massachusetts residents to put on life jackets as soon as they step into a boat and behave responsibly in the water.

Experts say accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a life jacket.

Fifty one boating deaths were reported in the 1st Coast Guard District in 2010, including 44 people believed to have not been wearing life jackets.

A representative of the state government and the Coast Guard Auxiliary are scheduled to launch the annual National Safe Boating Week in Boston.

Saturday's event will feature a proclamation. It is intended to remind people to boat smart, wear life jackets and boat responsibly.

Safe Boating Week runs through May 25.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.