Maine Ice Anglers Association

Game Wardens Prepare for National Safe Boating Week Friday, May 20, 2005
AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine Game Wardens are preparing for the 2005 National Safe Boating Week which runs from May 21 through May 27, 2005. During this time, organizations and agencies across the nation that are tasked with keeping boating safe make efforts to increase awareness and improve education regarding boating safety.

Yesterday, Thursday, May 19th all of Maine's Game Wardens were briefed and trained on this year's safe boating campaign theme. This year, every Maine Game Warden will be asked to attend an elementary school and make a presentation to students on the importance of wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket.

Colonel Thomas Santaguida, Chief of Maine's Warden Service stated that "Children are more easily taught to pick up a safety habit such as wearing a PFD in comparison to people in their 30's or 40's. If we can teach children to wear their life saving device, we can keep boating safe and save lives."

In addition to routine patrols throughout the summer of 2005, Game Wardens will be conducting high profile law enforcement boating patrols in key areas around the state such as the Sebago Lake - Long Lake region.

The Warden Service will be conducting a press conference regarding boating safety and law enforcement just prior to the July 4th weekend, which traditionally kicks off the Maine boating season.

Wearing a life jacket is just one part of boating safety, and all boaters should follow these simple do's and don'ts of boating safety.

*DO wear a life jacket. They Float. You Don't.
*DON'T mix alcohol and boating.
*DO observe the nautical rules-of-the-road.
*DON'T stand in a small boat.
*DO check the weather forecast before getting underway.
*DON'T overload your boat.
*DO tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

These suggestions are also a constant reminder of one very important thing in regards to boating safety, and that is using common sense. The waterways offer an open invitation to all types of boating. A boater should be aware of the outcome of their actions. Accidents result from a chain of circumstances or behavior which can be easily avoided. Remember to follow the above boating do's and don'ts and take a boating safety course.

For more information or brochures pertaining to boating safety, please call the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Recreational Safety Division at 207-287-5220.