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2026 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 81
BY SENATOR FOIL
A RESOLUTION
To designate May 16 through 23, 2026, as Safe Boating Week in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 created a partnership between the
federal government and the states to improve the safety of recreational boating; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the importance of safe boating practices, on June 4,
1958, the United States Congress, by joint resolution, approved and enacted 36 U.S.C. 131,
authorizing and requesting the president of the United States to annually proclaim the
seven-day period before Memorial Day weekend as "National Safe Boating Week"; and
WHEREAS, the United States has nearly twelve million registered recreational boats
and over three hundred thousand of those boats are on Louisiana waters; and
WHEREAS, when fishing, sailing, or otherwise enjoying Louisiana's beautiful
waterways with family or friends, it is essential to follow safe boating practices for
everyone's protection; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana encourages all citizens to institute safe boating practices and
to enjoy Louisiana's waters responsibly by taking the necessary steps to reduce injuries and
fatalities; and
WHEREAS, the United States Coast Guard considers the use of engine cut-off
switches to be important because without them, if operators are ejected or fall overboard, the
boat will typically continue to operate until it runs out of fuel, runs aground, or collides with
another boat or object; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of boating incidents are caused by human error or poor
judgment and not by the boat, equipment, or environmental factors; and
WHEREAS, United States Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the
reported cause of death in seventy-six percent of recreational boating fatalities in 2024, and
that eighty-seven percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets; and
WHEREAS, while boats are a marvelous source of recreation, unknowledgeable boat
operators are a risk to other boaters when they do not obey the navigation rules of the road,
drink alcohol or take drugs while operating a boat, or choose not to wear a life jacket; and
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SR NO. 81 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, boating knowledge and skills are essential in reducing human error and
improving judgment; and
WHEREAS, boaters who recognize the aforementioned risks are more likely to take
precautionary measures to protect themselves, their friends, family, and others, underscoring
the importance of promoting boating safety education in our state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of Louisiana does hereby
designate May 16 through 23, 2026, as Safe Boating Week in Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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