CARLYLE LAKE–Drowning remains the number one cause of death in recreational boating accidents. Ninety percent of those who drowned were NOT wearing their life jackets. Saturday, May 18, marked the start of National Safe Boating Week, an annual nationwide event dedicated to raising the awareness of boating safety prior to Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer boating season. The campaign’s theme, “Ready, Set, Wear-It” is designed to emphasize the importance of wearing a life jacket. Water safety must be a top priority for everyone using the nation’s waterways and lakes this summer. An estimated 350 million people visit U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas each year. Below are safety tips from the Corps of Engineers to help recreation seekers stay safe in the water over the Memorial Day holiday weekend and into the summer.