Key West Mayor Craig Cates on Tuesday proclaimed the coming week Safe Boating Week.

The Key West Sail and Power Squadron is kicking off Safe Boating Week on Saturday, May 21st at 10 a.m. with a free seminar on The Partner in Command that teaches the essential skills you need to help the skipper safely operate a recreational boat including understanding anchoring, docking, and navigation, preparing for bad weather, first aid and on-board emergencies. The public is invited to attend this two hour seminar at the Squadron building at 5205 College Road on Stock Island.

Immediately following the free seminar at noon Mayor Cates will inaugurate the kayak and paddle board launch site. The Key West Sail and Power Squadron has been working cooperatively with the City of Key West and the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden to enable the creation of a trail head kayak launch area for the benefit of the citizens of Key West.

A full day of hands-on, boating related activities is planned including tours of a Coast Guard boat, fire extinguisher demo, and Boating Skills Virtual Trainer that allows participants to maneuver a boat from departing the dock through boat handling in heavy wind and strong currents. For more information contact Commander Dick Schewe at (305) 240-0205.