Release posted on 05-26-22 at 8:46 a.m.

Media Event
Photo, video and interview opportunity
National Safe Boating Week ride-alongs

Who: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD).

What: The FWC and SPPD are offering a ride-along opportunity to see what a day on the water is like for marine law enforcement and discuss boating safety.

When: Thursday, May 26 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Reservations are required, please contact PIO Forest Rothchild at Forest.Rothchild@MyFWC.com.

Where: Demen's Landing Boat Ramp
301 1st Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Why: As the Memorial Day weekend approaches with its associated increase in boating traffic, the FWC and SPPD invite the media to attend this National Safe Boating Week ride-along opportunity. This event will include information about life jacket use, boating under the influence enforcement, awareness on the water, emergency locator beacons and required boating safety equipment.

According to the FWC, May was the month with the highest number of boating accidents statewide in 2021 (102), and 22% of all fatal boating accidents statewide in 2021 resulted from falls overboard.

Background: Although Florida's boating season never really ends, the traditional start is marked by National Safe Boating Week, from May 21-27. The week is a time for boaters to focus on simple and effective steps that make boating safer. The FWC and SPPD want all boaters to be safe while enjoying Florida's waterways. As the boating capital of the world, Florida leads the nation with more than one million registered vessels across the state and is known as a prime boating spot for residents and visitors.

Media contacts:
FWC Officer Forest Rothchild
Forest.Rothchild@MyFWC.com
SPPD Public Information Specialist Ken Knight
Ken.Knight@stpete.org