Governor Sonny Perdue proclaimed Georgia Safe Boating Week at the State Capitol on May 24, 2006 with an official signing ceremony. Attending the festivities with Governor Perdue were representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

The Georgia proclamation parallels efforts of National Safe Boating Week activities throughout the United States. In the Georgia Governor's Proclamation, Governor Perdue underscored the number of people who die each year in boating related accidents, stating that "the vast majority of these accidents are brought about by human error or poor judgment rather than the boat, equipment, or environmental factors...."

The Proclamation emphasizes the fact that a "significant number of boaters who lose their lives by drowning each year would be alive today if they had worn life jackets." The Governor also proclaimed that "knowledge and skills are important in reducing human error and improving judgment in the case of such accidents."

Ed McGill, the Auxiliary's Georgia State Liaison Officer, expressed sincere appreciation to Governor Perdue in helping promote recreational boating safety by way of establishing Safe Boating Week in Georgia. According to McGill, "Saving lives on the water is a key mission for both the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Department of Natural Resources, and this mission is greatly enhanced through boater education. We are proud to partner with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in serving the boating public. One of the best investments for any boater is to take a safe boating course......and always wear your life jacket."