Life jackets save lives, wear them! Chalecos salvavidas salvan vidas, úsalos!

Santa Fe, NM – National Safe Boating week kicks off May 20-26, 2023, in conjunction with the busy Memorial Day holiday. The State Parks Division (State Parks) of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, the National Safe Boating Council, and law enforcement across the state want everyone to have fun, but also urge residents and visitors to stay safe on the water and wear a life jacket!

“This year we need to be extra vigilant as record amounts of snowmelt and recent rains fill our lakes and rivers to capacity and above,” says Manuel Overby, Chief of Law Enforcement and Boating Safety. “Boaters, paddlers, rafters, tubers, and jet skiers need to be highly aware and watch out for swift currents, floating debris, and underwater snags that may not be visible until you are on top of it. Wearing a life jacket is your best line of defense. It could save your life.”

You can celebrate National Safe Boating Week and prepare for Memorial Day water sports by participating in a free Boating Safety Education class. Everyone is eligible and encouraged to get their Boater Education Card or brush up on their boating skills. It’s required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1989, to operate a motorboat or sailboat in New Mexico. Signing up is easy! Log onto our website at www.emnrd.nm.gov, click on the State Parks tab, and choose Boating in New Mexico for detailed information. Classes are available online and in-person statewide. For information in Spanish go to Navegando América.

State Park Rangers will be on patrol along with law enforcement from across New Mexico throughout boating season. Be sure you know the law before boating on New Mexico waters. Learn more about boating regulations here.

For more information on all 35 of your New Mexico State Parks found across 25 of 33 counties across our state, please visit our website at www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/. Book your reservation six months in advance! Log onto https://www.reserveamerica.com/and save the perfect camping spot at your favorite New Mexico State Park today. ¡Vámanos! Let’s Go New Mexico!