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In an effort to combat these alarming statistics, the National Safe Boating Council in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators have launched the 1999 Boat Smart From The Start National Safe Boating Campaign.

The campaign, begun during May's National Safe Boating Week, is designed to reach more than 80 million boaters around the country and communicate this year's message: " Wear Your Life Jacket Boat Smart from the Start."

" Safety on the water is the primary focus of the U.S. Coast Guard, protecting people from outside threats and from themselves," said James D. Hull, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard.

" The Coast Guard and our partners are committed to a campaign that stresses the importance of wearing life jackets and smart boating essential parts of any day on the water."

During National Safe Boating Week, the National Safe Boating Council, including the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, State Boating Law Administrators, Army Corps of Engineers and other groups, organized local exhibits, provided special programs on safe boating and generated extensive media coverage.

The 1999 campaign is a year-round crusade that counts on grass-roots activities and the support of many volunteer groups. More than 20,000 kits are being distributed to local campaign coordinators throughout the country to help spread the message of safe boating.

The campaign is made possible in part through a grant from the Aquatic Resources (Wallop/Breaux) Trust Fund administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and produced by the National Safe Boating Council.