Mobile County Commission proclaims week in May as Safe Boating Week

The Mobile County Commission on May 12 adopted a resolution designating a week in May 2025 as Safe Boating Week in Mobile County.

The resolution recognizes recreational boating as a common activity among county residents and cites U.S. Coast Guard statistics on boating accidents, injuries and deaths. It encourages boater education, use of engine cutoff switches and life jackets to reduce drownings and injuries.

The resolution notes that in calendar year 2023 the U.S. Coast Guard recorded 3,844 accidents involving 564 deaths, 2,026 injuries and about $63 million in property damage. It also states that, when operator education level was known, 75% of boating deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had not completed boating education instruction, and that a large share of drowning victims were not wearing life jackets.

A Coast Guard Auxiliary representative told commissioners, “I can't impress upon you enough when you do go out in a boat to wear a life jacket. As the commissioner mentioned, 87 percent of the deaths occur because they were not wearing a life jacket.” The commission’s resolution also “acknowledges and applauds” the U.S. Coast Guard’s Safe Boating Campaign and its year-round safety efforts.

The document filed with the clerk bears the signatures of all three commissioners and is attested by the county administrator. The resolution is intended as a public-safety awareness measure; no ordinance or regulatory change was proposed or adopted at the meeting.

Commissioners and staff did not take additional legislative action on boating safety during the session.