Supervisor Kuehl, the third district of Los Angeles County, made the recommendation to the board for the proclamation. The third district is a coastal area and part of the home region of Flotilla 12-04. The proclamation was adopted during the county’s board meeting on May 17, 2022.
The pandemic has seen a marked increase in boat ownership and activities of over twenty-five percent in Los Angeles County. Sadly, accidents and fatalities have increased by almost the same amount. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2020, and 86 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
The Proclamation –
"Recommendation as submitted by Supervisor Kuehl: Proclaim May 21 through May 27, 2022, as “Safe Boating Week” throughout Los Angeles County and encourage all residents who own a boat or plan on taking a boat ride, to utilize the resources provided by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and take a boating safety course, check all equipment, wear a life jacket, watch the weather and never boat under the influence."
The time is critical for the proclamation. It brings more attention to the need for safe boating practices. The summer season is approaching, and boating activities are expected to be high. The USCG Auxiliary’s primary mission is recreational boating safety.
Renato Akerman, Flotilla Commander of 12-04, states, “I am very excited about the proclamation. The pandemic greatly restricted our ability to conduct our safety mission and we have seen the results on the water with the unprecedented increase in accidents and fatalities. The proclamation will help raise much-needed awareness as we return to our activities to educate the public and reverse the current safety trend.” Authorizations are returning for the Auxiliary to return to in-person activities.
The proclamation mirrors the dates of National Safe Boating Week. “The best boating experience is safe boating,” said Yvonne Pentz, communications director of the National Safe Boating Council, a nonprofit dedicated to helping create a safe boating experience for all boaters and the lead organization of the Safe Boating Campaign. “Have fun on the water, and make memories with your family and friends while boating responsibly.” The USCG and Auxiliary are one of the lead organizations working year-round to promote safe boating practices, vessel safety checks, the use of life jackets, and the safety of our waterways. Safe Boating Week is a reminder to always wear a life jacket, take a safe boating class, and make sure you are safe on the water during all your adventures.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. Congress created the Auxiliary in 1939.
Contact: Grant Graves
Public Affairs Officer
310-560-6104
grantwgraves@gmail.com
