George W. Bush

“ This year's North American Safe Boating Campaign, highlighted during National Safe Boating Week, will emphasize the theme of "Boat Smart from the Start! Wear Your Life Jacket!" Many recreational boating organizations promote safety through educational programs, and I encourage those who will be on our waterways to take advantage of these lessons. I also urge all Americans who enjoy boating to wear their life jackets and otherwise to conduct themselves responsibly and safely. ”

“ By encouraging the participation of States, local communities, industry, and the boating public, new generations of Americans have benefited from the development of comprehensive boating safety programs. ”

“ However, despite these programs' successes, too many boaters still die on our Nation's waters. Recreational boating remains second only to highways in transportation-related fatalities. Some boaters lack basic boating safety knowledge and fail to adequately prepare or exercise caution when boating. Though recent accident statistics show improvement in many categories, nearly 70 percent of all recreational boating victims die by drowning. ”