ALEA’s Marine Patrol Launches National Safe Boating Week And Offers Free Vessel Inspections

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Posted by: JRTyson
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Date: May 19 2023 5:04 PM

Like the waves on Alabama’s beautiful gulf coast shoreline, Summer is quickly rolling in, and with the weather warming up, it is a fantastic time to enjoy our state’s scenic waterways. Whether you’re a boater, angler, or water sports enthusiast, please remember to be responsible when near the water. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division is joining the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) to participate in this year’s National Safe Boating Week which is held May 20-26.

To kick off the safety week, personnel within various divisions and units were spotted around the office wearing life jackets on Friday, May 19, in celebration of “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day.” The annual event serves as a fun, educational element prior to National Safe Boating Week, the official launch of NSBC’s 2023 Safe Boating Campaign.

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “Educating the public about the safety as well as the comfort of life jackets continues to be a priority for our Agency during this important campaign. Situations on the water can change in the blink of an eye and fatalities from drowning are preventable tragedies that can affect anyone in or around the water. That is why it is imperative for those near the water to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved and properly fitted life jacket as it is the simplest life-saving strategy for those participating in recreational boating, paddling or towed water sports.”

ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Chief Steve Thompson said, “Wearing a life jacket is a key component of boating safety, along with the knowledge and skill needed to keep various types of craft under control in different environments. In February, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division offered numerous free boating safety and license courses across the state to prepare for the busy summer season. These courses were a great opportunity for citizens to spend time on their local waterways and discuss the particular challenges boaters may face with local Troopers. Now that our classes have wrapped up, we are looking ahead to continue to serve local boaters by offering free vessel inspections.”

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