The following is a public service announcement for Safe Boating Week: Monday...

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...Life Jackets...

The following is a safe boating message from the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service. Today begins National Safe Boating Week.

Few people are affected more by weather than the mariner. An unexpected change in winds, seas, visibility or the sudden development of a thunderstorm can turn a pleasant afternoon into one which threatens the safety of a vessel and its crew. The National Weather Service, a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides marine weather warnings and forecasts serving mariners who use the waters both for their livelihood or recreation, including those traversing our near-shore waters to those heading across the High Seas.

The National Weather Service provides updated and accurate weather information in various formats - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week every day of the year. Before setting out, obtain the latest marine forecast and warning information from weather.gov/marine or NOAA Weather Radio. Several days ahead of time you can begin listening for extended outlooks which give general information out to the next five days.

Take particular note of any current advisories and warnings, including Small Craft Advisories, Gale or Storm Warnings which alert mariners to either high winds or waves occurring now or forecast to occur up to 24 hours from now. Also pay attention to any Watches which forecast possible rough weather expected in the upcoming few days

Here are some radio tips. If you have a marine VHF transceiver with built-in NOAA Weather Radio channels, use them. If your VHF radio is not equipped with weather channels, you may want to buy a VHF weather radio--they're readily available and low in cost. If you venture beyond about a 40nm range from shore, you should consider buying a good quality HF single sideband transceiver. Remember to always file a float plan with someone ashore and consider the purchase of an Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon or EPIRB. These devices are designed to save your life if you get into trouble by alerting rescue authorities and indicating your location.

This message is brought to you by the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service, reminding you that Safe Boating Week is May 22nd through May 28^th.

The following is a safe boating message from the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service, reminding you that National Safe Boating Week is May 21st through May 27th. --> The following is a safe boating message from the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service for this year's National Safe Boating Week.

Before you and your family get out on the water this year, grab a life jacket and "Wear It!" Nearly 85 percent of those who drown while boating were not wearing a life jacket.

Wearing a life jacket is one of the most effective and simple life-saving strategies for safe recreational boating. Boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for every passenger on their vessel.

Today's life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. They are comfortable, lightweight, and perfect for any boating activity.

The most important thing is this: remember to grab a life jacket and "Wear It!"

To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org. Visit the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov.