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 20th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The proclamation was accepted by Squadron Commander Dick Shewe and Executive Officer Drew Dzykewicz.

According to Dzykewicz, Representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be on hand to discuss hurricane preparedness. The community, he said, is invited to learn about safe boating and to enjoy vessel safety exams.

One of the most fundamental aspects of boating safety is wearing a lifejacket, and statistics prove that out. According to the proclamation, 75 percent of people that go overboard drown, and 100 percent of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.

“Most of those boaters who lost their lives by drowning each year would be alive today had they worn their life jackets,” reads the proclamation. Additionally, it says, “Modem life jackets are more comfortable, more attractive and more wearable than styles of years past and deserve a fresh look by today’s boating public.”

National Safe Boating Week runs from May 21st to May 28th.