May 17, 2024
2024 Water Safety Message
On behalf of MG Butch Graham, DCG-CEO, attached is the 2024 Water Safety Message. This message reinforces the robust discussion at the second Recreation Water Safety Forum with Commanders held on 26 April 2024. Our commitment is to ensure visitors to our lakes and river projects have a safe and enjoyable experience.

The FY 2019-2023 USACE water-related public recreation fatalities information developed by the National Water Safety Program shows that 90 percent were male, 87 percent were 18 and older, and 92 percent were not wearing a life jacket. With those statistics in mind, you are encouraged to focus your attention on adults when promoting water safety to the visiting public to help us reach our goal of significantly reducing the number of water-related public recreation fatalities. When comparing the number of water-related public recreation fatalities in FY22 to FY23 the number reduced by 14%, which is a good step in the right direction, so keep the momentum going.

Please distribute this memorandum throughout your command. The Point of Contact for this matter is Pam Doty, National Water Safety Program Manager Pamela.J.Doty@usace.army.mil.

Respectfully,
Tom

Thomas P. Smith, PE, PMP, SES
Chief, Operations and Regulatory

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