SOUTH PORTLAND – The Maine Warden Service and the Maine Marine Patrol are celebrating National Safe Boating Week with a public event on Tuesday, May 19, at 11 a.m., at the public boat ramp at Bug Light in South Portland.

The goal of National Safe Boating Week, which runs May 16-22, is to heighten awareness among recreational boaters of the importance of always wearing a life jacket. There are no excuses for not wearing a life jacket, and for children and many adult activities on Maine waters, it’s also the law.

The Maine Warden Service and Maine Marine Patrol are also asking all boaters to take the time to properly prepare their watercraft before heading out on the water. Boaters should be sure that all necessary safety devices are both in the boat at all times and are in good, serviceable condition.

In addition to life jackets, safe boaters should have working navigation lights, sound signaling devices and properly displayed current registration numbers. Boaters should also check the expiration dates on fire extinguishers and flares.

See www.maine.gov/ifw/atv_snowmobile_watercraft/watercraft.htm for a full list of rules and laws affecting boaters in Maine, along with a variety of safety tips, safety courses and more.