National Safe Boating Week, May 22-28 the theme of which is ‘Wear It’ as in your PFD. Statistics. One statistic in support of this is that 78% of the people involved in boating fatalities were not wearing PFD’s.

This fact was brought home by a recent story about a boating related drowning on Lake St. Clair. The victim wore no PFD.

Then I received an email from Tom Rau who informs me that his Boat Smart Column will return the week of May 24th. He’s added a new feature this year Boat Smart Advisories. One of his 1st advisories concerned the fact that 7 boating related drownings have already occurred in Michigan! None of the people wore PFD’s.

With water temperatures still in the 40’s it is a good idea to don a PDF when on your first sail of the season. Your sea legs may not have made it through the winter. If you happen to get in the water a PFD will help you out. It also might help you turn over a new safety habit.

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