DISTRICT (Special) – North American Safe Boating Awareness Week officially wraps up May 26.

But the message remains all summer long.

Managed by the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and its partners, the campaign is designed to promote safe and responsible boating practices to the 14 million Canadians who participate in recreational boating.

Although boating related fatalities have trended downwards in past years, there continues to be an average of over 100 boating related deaths annually in Canadian waters.

With people gearing-up to launch their boats after a long winter slumber, the goal of the week is to continue to bring those numbers down by ensuring that Canadians who head out in any type of boat have the appropriate knowledge to help them have a safe day on the water.

There are five key boating safety messages to be delivered, all directed towards the most common boating related accidents.

They include:

• The importance of wearing a lifejacket
• The dangers associated with drinking and boating
• The importance of taking a safe boating course
• Ensuring that you and your vessel are prepared before casting off
• The risks associated with a fall into cold water

For additional information on boating safety information, visit www.csbc.ca.