'Wear Your Life Jacket To Work Day' Celebrated In Manassas

MANASSAS, VA—Don't be surprised if you're out and about town next Friday, May 17, and you see various business managers or employees wearing life preservers. That's because as part of National Boat Boating Week (May 18-24), that day has been tagged "Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day." After, warm weather finally has arrived, and fun on the water won't be far behind.

Whether you knew it or not, the National Safe Boating Council has its headquarters right here in Manassas, at 6985 Gateway Court. Its executive director, Peg Phillips, will be visiting businesses around town to promote the cause.

"We are excited to join forces with partners around the world to encourage everyone to wear a life jacket when on the water and always boat responsibly because the best boating experience is a safe boating experience," Phillips said in a statement. Per the organization:

Boating enthusiasts are encouraged to wear their life jacket to work, snap a picture, and share their photo on social media with the hashtags #lifejacket2work and #safeboating.

In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 658 deaths in the U.S. from boating incidents, with 75 percent of those deaths caused by drowning. Of those deaths, 85 percent are reported as not wearing their life jackets.

Here are some safety tips provided by the Safe Boating Campaign:

• Take a boating safety course.
• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
• Watch the weather.
• No distracted boating.
• Travel at safe speeds.
• Never boat under the influence.
• Have more than one communication device that works when wet.