From St. Croix in the east to Alaska in the west, from the Caribbean to the Bering Sea, shutters clicked simultaneously Saturday morning across the U.S. to emphasize safe boating and the importance of wearing life jackets.
It was the kickoff event of National Safe Boating Week, and a small crowd in Frederiksted took part to help set a world record – the most people wearing life jackets being photographed at one time.
Some people might complain that wearing a life jacket is uncomfortable, too hot, too clammy or restrictive, but it’s also the single easiest thing to do to tip the odds in your favor in a boating accident, according to Robert Farich, public affairs officer of the St. Croix Coast Guard Auxiliary.
“According to the latest statistics put out by the Coast Guard, at the end of 2010, 84 percent of the people who drowned as the result of a boating accident were not wearing a lifejacket,” he said.
And waiting until the accident happens is too late, he added, since a person can be knocked unconscious or separated from their boat and life jacket by the accident.
Besides, newer life jacket designs are nothing like the bulky old “Mae West” life jackets of an earlier era. Now, some are not much heavier or bulkier than a Hawaiian shirt, Farich said, but will keep the wearer safely buoyant until help arrives.
Miss Frederiksted, Deidre DuBois, found out how quickly life jackets can be inflated Saturday while taking part in the event. She wore a style of jacket that looked no more bulky than a scarf. When Lee Elvins of the Coast Guard Auxiliary snapped on the cord, the CO2 cartridge inflated the jacket almost instantly, causing her to throw her head back and then laugh at her own surprise.
A total of 20 people showed up at the Frederiksted cruise ship pier to take part in the event. Some wore life jackets; others took a pledge verifying that they understood the importance of life jackets and how to use them.
About 500 people drown each year as the result of recreational boating accidents, according to the National Safe Boating Council, which promoted the "Ready Set, Wear It!” campaign.
"We want to show the world that our boater community takes boating safety seriously," said John Harrison, flotilla commander of the St. Croix Coast Guard Auxiliary. "When on the water, wearing a life jacket is part of your clothing. Our island has an exceptional record for safe boating and I relate that to our resident’s awareness that life jackets save lives."
National Safe Boating Week runs this year through May 25. Boating safety partners across the U.S. and around the world are promoting safe and responsible boating.
