And Follow All Safety Regulations And Laws This Summer
Series: Boating Safety | Story 53
AZGFD Urges Wearing A Life Jacket
The Arizona Game And Fish Department (AZGFD) is urging everyone to wear a life jacket, and follow all safety regulations and laws this summer when recreating on Arizona’s waterways.
“A life jacket does exactly what it says — it saves your life when you need it,” said Danny Rodriguez, AZGFD’s watercraft law enforcement program coordinator. “However, it can only save your life if you’re wearing one, and often it’s too late to put one on once you realize you need it.”
According to the latest U.S. Coast Guard statistics (2024), in cases where the cause of death has been determined, 87 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket. AZGFD wants to stress the importance of wearing a life jacket and focusing on safe boating practices as the busy boating season gets underway.
Have A Worn-Out Lifejacket
To promote the use of life jackets, as well as kick off National Safe Boating Week on Saturday (May 16-22), AZGFD and its partner agencies will be providing life jacket exchange opportunities at various locations throughout the state. Those who have an old, worn out, or improperly fitting life jacket will be able to exchange it for a new one, free of charge (while supplies last).
Going Boating Over The Weekend-Sober boating
“Like anything else, life jackets wear out with time, and these exchange events are a great opportunity for Arizona’s boaters and paddlers to ensure they have a life jacket that not only fits correctly, but is in great condition and ready should they need it,” said Josh Hoffman, boating safety education coordinator.
AZGFD boating safety partners has been holding life jacket exchange events at numerous locations throughout the state; one remains:
Friday, June 12: Rotary Park, 2315 Balboa Drive, Bullhead City, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Note: Type I and Type II life jackets will not be accepted; only ski-type life jackets are eligible for exchange.
June 2026 Page 3 Arizona Game & Fish