Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has declared May 16-22 as Safe Boating Week in Michigan, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials welcomed the declaration as an opportunity to remind all water sport enthusiasts of the importance of safe boating and to announce the kickoff of the DNR's "Wear It Michigan!" campaign.

Michigan's Safe Boating Week runs concurrent with National Safe Boating Week, which is coordinated each year by the National Safe Boating Council and its boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada to promote the value of life jacket wear by recreational boaters. This year's theme is, "Wear It!" referring to the increased focus on life jacket wear and education of new styles of life jackets, including inflatables.

"'Wear it Michigan' is a simple reminder to encourage everyone to stay safe on the water by always wearing a life jacket," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "We are pleased to partner with the National Safe Boating Council to bring this important message to the thousands of water enthusiasts who will be on the Detroit River and Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair this summer."

The kickoff for the DNR's "Wear It Michigan" campaign will be held at Sterling State Park on Lake Erie Saturday, May 23, at 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend to learn more about safe boating and life jackets, as well as meet those individuals who will be running the campaign this summer.

"Each year, 400-500 lives could have been saved if boaters had worn their life jackets," said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. "New life jackets on the market today are comfortable, lightweight and perfect for any boating activity. Don't just carry a life jacket -- wear it!"

The most recent statistics released by the U.S. Coast Guard indicate that 90 percent of boaters who drowned in 2007 were NOT wearing their life jackets.

During the DNR's "Wear It Michigan" campaign, special teams of state conservation officers will be out on the water in a specially marked "Wear It Michigan" boat asking boaters they meet to take the "Wear It" Pledge. Everyone who signs a pledge card will be entered in a weekly drawing to win a manual inflatable (Type III) life jacket that will have a "Wear It" rubber logo sewn onto the life jacket.

The "Wear It Michigan" campaign schedule also includes stops at Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor on the Detroit River, and the Erie Metropark and Lake St. Clair Metropark, plus the Wyandotte boat launch in Trenton, the Riverfront Marina in Monroe, Bolles Harbor in La Salle and the Ecorse boat launch. The conservation officers also will be on hand at the Red Bull Air Race at Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor, June 11-14; the Freedom Festival Fireworks, June 22; the Gold Cup Hydroplane Races, July 9-12: and the Port Huron to Mackinac Race, July 23-26. The complete schedule can be found online at www.wearitmichigan.com.

The DNR's report on the 2008 boating season in Michigan shows 36 fatalities in 31 fatal accidents statewide. Of those, 28 people drowned. Only two of those boaters were wearing life jackets.

"There's no question that life jackets save lives," said Lt. Andrew Turner, state boating law administrator for DNR's Law Enforcement Division. "Safe Boating Week is only one week, but the DNR's safety message to boaters applies throughout the year."

The DNR's 2008 report indicates 201 recreational boating accidents resulted in 115 injuries and more than $937,000 in property damage. Open motorboats and personal watercraft accounted for 160 of the total 256 vessels involved in accidents, and alcohol use was a factor in 26 accidents. Most accidents in 2008 happened on Sunday afternoons in July.

For more information on recreational boating safety and to learn more about the "Wear It Michigan" campaign, visit www.wearitmichigan.com.

The National Safe Boating Council represents more than 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations committed to reducing boating accidents and enhancing the boating experience. Visit www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com for campaign materials and additional safe boating resources.