 |
|
2008 ALASKA SAFE BOATING WEEK PROCLAMATION
|
|
Governor Sarah Palin has proclaimed May 17-23, 2008 as Safe Boating Week in Alaska. A copy of the Proclamation is available on line. The State of Alaska has in excess of 33,000 miles of coastline in addition to vast interior river systems and fresh water lakes. It comes as no surprise that Alaskans use these waters as a means of day-to-day transportation, subsistence and for recreational activities. However, every year Alaskan boaters lose their lives in boating accidents. Most boating fatalities in Alaska are the result of the capsizing of or a fall overboard from a boat, where the victim was not wearing a life jacket. Alaska's cold water is unforgiving and many of these tragedies could have been prevented if boaters had made safety their first priority. Boating accidents often happen in seconds, on rough or calm water, whether the boater is a novice or very experienced. One of the best ways to improve a boater's chance of surviving a boating accident in Alaska is to "Boat Smart From the Start". Everyone needs to wear a life jacket when on board an open boat or when on an open deck. This boating season, national and state boating organizations, state and federal agencies and local governments are again joining together to promote safe boating through education, and emphasizing the importance of wearing life jackets. By working together, the message of safe boating continues to be spread, helping to prevent boating fatalities. Information on programs, which work toward reducing Alaska's boating fatalities, enhance safe enjoyable boating and boater education as well as links to other agencies can be found on the Alaska Office of Boating Safety web site. |
|
|
|
|
|
 New Cold Water Immersion Video Available To Public The Alaska Office of Boating Safety has announced the completion of a new instructional video on cold water boating safety. In a state where capsizing and falls overboard into cold water account for the majority of boating deaths the video, entitled Cold Water Boating, is intended to educate boaters on how to prepare for, avoid, and survive a cold water immersion event. The video depicts actual in-water situations, and provides practical and relevant information for Alaska’s boaters. Within Alaska, the video is available at no charge at either the Anchorage or Fairbanks Alaska Department of Natural Resources Public Information Centers, or by mail (for the price of postage) from:
| ||
 |
 Jeff Johnson Boating Law Administrator Office of Boating Safety 550 W. 7th Ave, Suite 1380 Anchorage, AK 99501-3561 (907) 269-8705 (907) 269-8907 Fax email to: Jeff.Johnson@alaska.gov |
|
ABOUT US Alaska has over 33,000 miles of coastline (more than the entire "lower 48" states put together), over 3,000 rivers, and more than 3 million lakes. Most of the state's 621,000 residents live in our 10 largest cities, but many others live miles from the road system in towns and villages spread along the coast and our interior rivers and lakes. From power boating and air boating to rafting, kayaking, and canoeing, Alaska's boating opportunities are as superlative as they are diverse. We certainly use boats to enjoy our world-class outdoor recreation resources, but our residents also use boats as an important means of transportation, and to support subsistence. Alaskans are truly "lifestyle" boaters. Unfortunately, we also have one of the highest non-commercial boating fatality rates in the nation. In Alaska drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death. Accident statistics reveal that 3 out of 4 boating fatalities were the result of capsizing or falling overboard into cold water, where the boater was not wearing a life jacket. Most had not taken a single boating safety course. In response, the Alaska Boating Safety Program was established within the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. In close cooperation with our partners, we provide boating education programs that promote safe, enjoyable boating in Alaska. We hope you enjoy our web page. We offer a number of resources for boaters, and new items are being added, so please check back occasionally. |
|
Last Updated on .
Site optimized for Netscape 7, IE 6 or above.
Not sure who to contact? Have a question about Parks? Visit the Public Information Center. Report technical problems with this page to the Webmaster |
|