2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 33
BY SENATOR FOIL
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To designate May 20-26, 2023, as Safe Boating Week in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 created a partnership between the
federal government and the states to improve the safety of recreational boating; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the importance of safe boating practices, the United
States Congress by joint resolution approved on June 4, 1958, and enacted 36 U.S.C. 131,
as amended, authorizing and requesting the president of the United States to proclaim
annually the seven-day period before Memorial Day weekend as "National Safe Boating
Week"; and
WHEREAS, the United States has over thirteen million recreational boats and three
hundred twenty-three thousand of those boats are on Louisiana waters; and
WHEREAS, while fishing, sailing, or otherwise enjoying Louisiana's beautiful
waterways with family or friends, it is essential to follow safe boating practices for
everyone's protection; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana encourages all citizens to institute safe boating practices
necessary to enjoy Louisiana's waters responsibly by taking the necessary steps to reduce
injuries and fatalities; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of boating incidents are caused by human error or poor
judgment and not by the boat, equipment, or environmental factors; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause
of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2021, and that 83 percent
of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets; and
WHEREAS, while boats are a marvelous source of recreation, unknowledgeable boat
operators are a risk to other boaters when they do not know or obey the navigation rules of
the road, drink alcohol, take drugs while operating a boat, or choose not to wear a life jacket;
and
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WHEREAS, boating knowledge and skills are important in reducing human error and
improving judgment; if people are aware of the risk, they are more likely to take the
precautionary measures to protect themselves, their friends, family, and others, which is why
it is important we spread the message of boating safety education in our state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
designate May 20-26, 2023, as Safe Boating Week in Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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