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Safe
Boating Week in the Virgin Islands
WHEREAS, May 22-28, 2010 has been designated as
"Safe Boating Week;" and
WHEREAS , here in the United States Virgin Islands we are
blessed with some of the most beautiful and accessible coastal
waters in the world; and
WHEREAS, we have the freedom and ability to use these areas
for our personal recreation and enjoyment; and
WHEREAS , increasing numbers of Virgin Islands residents and
visitors to our shores purchase or charter boats and utilize our
marine resources; and
WHEREAS , the growing popularity of recreational boating and
related water sports is placing a great demand
on Planning and Natural Resources Environmental Enforcement Officers, the U.S.
Coast Guard, and voluntary organizations such as the
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, who strive to ensure the safety of the boating
public; and
WHEREAS , during Safe Boating Week
and throughout the year, dedicated enforcement officers, and men and women of voluntary
organizations , in a concerted effort to save lives and protect our
marine environment, give our residents the knowledge and
skills they need to become safer and more responsible boaters; and
WHEREAS, more than 700 people die each year in boating-related
accidents in the United States; nearly 80% of these are fatalities
caused by drowning; and
WHEREAS, tragically, many boating accidents are the result of
operator error -- error that is too often caused by fatigue,
recklessness, or intoxication from alcohol or drugs that cause
serious injuries, claim lives of innocent people, and destroy
priceless marine resources; and
WHEREAS , every Virgin Islands' resident and visitor who
participate in boating and related sports such as fishing and
water-skiing, should not only take a boating safety class and get a
Vessel Safety Check, but take the time to learn about their boats,
safe boating procedures and safety equipment and practice safe
boating procedures faithfully; and
WHEREAS , checking the weather, filing a float
plan, staying sober and following Coast Guard regulations
are some of the essential elements of safe boating;
WHEREAS, a significant number of boaters who
lost their lives by drowning would be alive today had they worn their
life jackets; and
WHEREAS , modern
life jackets are more comfortable, more attractive and more
wearable. Remember, the best thing you can do to keep from becoming a statistic is to wear your
life jacket! and
WHEREAS , it is recognized that hundreds of
lives could be saved if boaters wear their life jackets;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, John P. de Jongh, Jr., Governor of the United States
Virgin .Islands , by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby
proclaim the week of May 22- 28, 2010 as
"Safe Boating Week" in the United States Virgin
Islands . I strongly urge all boaters to practice safe boating habits and to wear their life jackets. I
call upon yacht clubs, boating and related community organizations
involved in boating and water recreation activities, to continue
their boat training and information seminars, and urge everyone to
participate in the activities scheduled for this week.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Seal of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands to
be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, this
28th day of April, A.D., 2010.
JOHN
P. de Jongh, JR. |
